Kaatera is the village blacksmith, the man who forges the farmers' sickles, in a 1970s Karnataka village held in a tight grip by upper-caste landlords. When land-reform laws promise the tillers ownership of the soil they work, Kaatera stands up for them, and the landlords strike back with every weapon they have, including against his love for a woman from a dominant family. The film combines a mass hero's journey with a sharp portrait of caste, land and honour. Written and directed by Tharun Sudhir and produced by Rockline Venkatesh, it was one of the biggest Kannada hits of its year. It also introduced Aradhana Ram, daughter of actress Malashri, and gave Telugu star Jagapathi Babu a strong villain's role.
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