| Kahi Debe Sandesh | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Manu Nayak |
| Written by | Manu Nayak |
| Produced by | Manu Nayak |
| Starring | Kan Mohan Uma Rajoo Surekha Parkar Kapil Kumar Ramakant Bakshi |
| Edited by | Madhu Adhsule |
| Music by | Malay Chakraborty |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Chhattisgarhi |
Kahi Debe Sandesh (transl. Convey The Message) is a 1965 Chhattisgarhi film written, directed and produced by Manu Nayak.[1][2] Dealing with contemporary social issues such as untouchability and caste discrimination, it became the first Chhattisgarhi-language film.[3]
Manu realised the rising popularity of films made in regional languages after the success of Bhojpuri films. It was then he decided to make a film in the Chhattisgarhi dialect, based on the inter-caste affair between a scheduled caste boy and a brahmin girl, which was a taboo at that period of time in large parts of India.[4] The film was initially criticised by some conservatives and politicians, leading to agitations at theatres and protest for banning the movie. However, progressive congress politicians Mini Mata and Bhushan Keyur spoke in favour and ultimately the then I&B minister, Indira Gandhi saw the movie and acclaimed it to be the film that promotes national integration.
The film was premiered on 16 April 1965 in Durg and Bhatapara but due to controversy, it was released later in Raipur only in the month of September. It ran till 8 weeks in Rajkamal (now Raj) talkies of Raipur.[5][6]
- ^ "पहली छत्तीसगढ़ी फिल्म के डायरेक्टर मनु नायक को इस कलाकार ने किया था चैलेंज". Patrika News. Archived from the original on 21 January 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- ^ Thawait, Shubham (24 January 2018). "इन्होंने तब छत्तीसगढ़ी फ़िल्म बन दी जब छत्तीसगढ़ ही नही बना था, कथा मनु नायक की।". Archived from the original on 2 October 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- ^ Noronha, Rahul (11 October 2017). "Chhattisgarh ignoring Chollywood cinema in fear of creating South India-like actor-turned-netas?". India Today. Archived from the original on 9 November 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
- ^ "Little cinema begins to dream big". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 25 August 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- ^ "in Show Times | eTimes". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013.
- ^ "When Indira saved first Chhattisgarhi film from ban". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 27 July 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.