Plot
Based on the novel with the same title by Norbert D'Souza, Dweepa deals with the raging issue of building dams and the displacement of natives. Located in the backwaters of a dam, Sita Parvata is an island slowly submerging due to the rains. The government succeeds in evacuating the inmates of the island by giving them compensation for the properties they own. The village temple priest Duggajja, his son Ganapa and his daughter in law Nagi find it impossible to leave their homeland and make a living with the meagre compensation given by the government. They have but a small hut, which earns them a compensation of INR25,000. In Ganapa's own words, the compensation can give them food and shelter, but cannot compensate for the love and respect of their people. On the island, they are important people, but outside, they would be one among hundreds of families struggling to make a living. Centered around this complex theme, the film narrates the struggles of the family and how ultimately in the end they manage to continue life on the island.The 'inner' theme
As in all of Girish Kasaravalli's films, Dweepa too deals with an 'inner' theme, that of human minds that isolate themselves due to former beliefs and convictions. Each character emerges as a representation of different viewpoints. The protagonist Nagi (Soundarya) has been portrayed as an optimistic character whose support is hope and only that. One can notice how the character finally emerges as a symbol of positive thinking and optimism. Ganapa (Avinash), on the contrary resigns to fate, and finally when they narrowly escape submersion, he fails to see that his wife had achieved the impossible. Duggajja (M.V.VasudevaRao) withdraws from the catastrophe rather than face it. He is devastated to see his convictions and beliefs crumble before his very eyes and in the end, he clings to his beliefs in desperation. Krishna (Harish Raju) portrays a typical dreamer, who can mesmerize these village folk with fairy tales about the world beyond the isolated island. In short he encapsulates the 'fantasy' world we all tend to dream about.Karnataka State Film Awards, 2002
Awards and Screenings
Best Film.Best Direction for Girish Kasaravalli.
Best Actress in a lead role for Soundarya.
Best Cinematography for Mr.Ramachandra.
Filmfare Awards for Kannada
Best Film.
Best Direction.
Best Actress in a lead role for Soundarya.
