Kundalu Brings Mehsani Dialect and Untold Love to Screens

Kundalu opened in cinemas yesterday, offering Gujarati audiences a rare blend of linguistic authenticity, rural emotion, and social commentary. Released on November 14, 2025, the film arrives as a significant moment for Gujarati cinema, becoming the first feature crafted entirely in the pure Mehsani dialect. With English subtitles accompanying its theatrical run, the film is positioned to reach viewers well beyond its regional heartland.

Directed and written by Rohit Prajapati, Kundalu draws its creative energy from the villages of North Gujarat. The film’s essence lies in how it captures the cultural texture of Mehsana district — from its everyday rhythms to its unspoken hierarchies — all while telling a love story shaped by the realities of patriarchal norms.

At the centre of the narrative are Mangu and Vikas, two individuals defined as much by their vulnerabilities as by their hopes. Mangu, an orphaned young woman, lives in a world that often defines her worth through restrictive societal expectations. Her journey collides with that of Vikas, a carefree youth whose speech impediment deepens his social isolation. Their bond begins with a moment of warmth and understanding yet soon confronts the deep-set traditions that govern village life, where marriage remains the ultimate marker of social acceptance.

The film does not romanticise rural hardships, nor does it reduce its characters to clichés. Instead, Kundalu highlights those who often remain unseen — the overlooked and the quietly resilient. Through its storytelling, the film raises lingering questions: Can individuals who sit on society’s margins carve out their own identities? Can love survive when the rules of tradition stand immovable?

Shot entirely on location, the film embraces the visual character of Mehsana’s landscapes. The cinematography, already recognised at the Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF-2024), brings an evocative sincerity to the screen — from dusky village horizons to scenes that underline the divisions of class and custom.

Music plays an equally vital role in shaping the film’s emotional register. Under the direction of Vipul Barot, the soundtrack draws from folk traditions, weaving marshiya, doha, and garba into the narrative. Each composition feels rooted in the soil from which the film emerges. Songs such as “Harkhato Malkato,” “Kaydamam Rahevu,” “Chadh Ladi Chadh,” “Pankhida Tara Pagale,” and “Rupiyani Rani” offer a spectrum of moods — celebratory, reflective, and deeply emotional. Vocalists including Bhumi Trivedi, Jay Mohan, Tripti Gadhvi, Tripti Chaudhary, Parthi Vyas, and Richa Barot add further depth with their performances.

Even before arriving in theatres, Kundalu had established itself as an award-winning project. Produced by Suchitra, Neena, and Priya under 3 Peepul Productions, the film secured seven honours at JIFF-2024. These include Best Music, Best Cinematography, Best Sound and Editing, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and the Green Rose Award recognising environmental sensitivity. These accolades highlight not only the technical excellence behind the film but also its cultural significance.

By choosing the Mehsani dialect — a linguistic tradition often sidelined in mainstream narratives — the filmmakers have preserved an important slice of regional identity. Their effort reinforces the value of stories that emerge from the grassroots and speak in the voices of those rarely represented on large screens.

In a landscape where regional films often struggle for visibility, Kundalu stands out for its sincerity and its courage. It offers more than entertainment; it reflects the complexities of rural life, the weight of societal expectations, and the delicate fragility of love.

Kundalu is now in theatres, inviting audiences to experience a story that resonates far beyond the boundaries of North Gujarat — a story shaped not just to be viewed, but to be felt.

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