Tue Sep 02 07:14:23 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
This article from *The Hindu* reflects on the making and legacy of the Kannada film *Chanda Marutha* (Wild Wind), fifty years after its production. The film, completed just as Indira Gandhi declared the Emergency in 1975, is based on a play about the exploitation of suffering by the powerful. *Chanda Marutha*, released in 1977 after the Emergency, is hailed as a symbol of resistance against authoritarianism. Nandana Reddy, daughter of the filmmakers, recounts the impact of the Emergency on her family, including the arrest and subsequent death of her mother, Snehalatha Reddy, due to her association with political figures. Huli Chandrashekar, the film’s associate director, recalls the making of the film and the vibrant political discussions that surrounded it, as well as Snehalatha’s unjust imprisonment.
**News Article:**
**Kannada Film ‘Chanda Marutha’ Remembered as Symbol of Resistance 50 Years On**
**Bangalore, September 2, 2025** – Fifty years after its production, the Kannada film *Chanda Marutha* (Wild Wind) is being remembered as a powerful symbol of resistance against authoritarianism. The film’s completion coincided with the declaration of Emergency by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975, adding a layer of historical significance to its already potent themes.
*Chanda Marutha*, based on P. Lankesh’s play about the exploitation of suffering, was eventually released in 1977 after the Emergency was lifted. It gained recognition for its anti-authoritarian stance and exploration of political and social injustices.
Nandana Reddy, daughter of filmmakers Pattabhirama Reddy and Snehalatha Reddy, shared her vivid recollections of that time. She recounted the chilling effect of the Emergency on her family and the arts community, describing a raid on their home and the subsequent arrest of her mother, Snehalatha Reddy. Snehalatha, arrested in connection with the Baroda Dynamite Case due to her association with George Fernandes, was never formally charged but her health deteriorated in prison, leading to her death shortly after her release.
“We lost our mother, who was an innocent victim, like thousands of others,” Nandana Reddy lamented.
Huli Chandrashekar, the film’s associate director, highlighted the vibrant intellectual atmosphere surrounding the film’s production, noting the involvement of prominent figures like UR Ananthamurthy and George Fernandes in pre-production discussions. He also expressed his deep distress at witnessing Snehalatha Reddy’s failing health during her imprisonment.
*Chanda Marutha* continues to be regarded as a significant work in Kannada cinema, reflecting a period of political upheaval and the enduring struggle for individual liberties.
First Piper 