Follower

Review: The Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute is largely centered around the city of Belagavi, aka Belgaum. While the city is in Karnataka, for years, allegations of suppression of the large Marathi-speaking population there have been doing the rounds. This issue forms one of the cruxes of Harshad Nalawade’s debut feature Follower. However, the larger part of the film, which premiered at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam in 2023, revolves around a disillusioned and disgruntled youngster, who joins a small media company that works to further a local politician’s agenda via social media.


Raghavendra Pawar (Raghu Basarimarad), a well-educated Marathi-speaking resident of Belagavi, quits his job at a college after he’s allegedly sidelined by the Kannada-speaking authorities and denied a promotion. While searching for another job, he takes over his father’s gift shop after his father dies in an accident. Unemployed and constantly looked down upon by people around him, Raghavendra blames the socio-political scenario for his plight, villainising all Kannada-speaking people, including his friend Sachin (Harshad Nalawade), a YouTuber. He is eventually influenced by the local politician’s ‘fight’ for the Marathi-speaking community in the area and takes up a job that he believes he’s doing for the service of his community, thanks to the polarising words of the politician he idolises. But influenced and unthought decisions often have a way of rebounding, which is exactly what happens with Raghavendra. What, how and why are questions that Follower aims to address.


The film is a fitting portrayal of everyday scenarios today, primarily focusing on the youth that often gets carried away with baseless allegations levelled by people in power for power or monetary gains. Harshad Nalawade intertwines the cause-and-effect relationship of such narratives through multiple subplots which eventually combine to deliver the climax. The production value of Follower isn’t striking, given the fact that it’s a small-budget film. But the story and performances stand out. Raghu Basarimarad beautifully portrays the turmoil of his character – getting viewers to get angry at his naivety while simultaneously sympathising with his situation. Harshad and Donna Munshi (as Parveen) also deliver small but impactful performances.


Follower has very few shows in the city but it’s a film that deserves to be watched, especially by the younger audience, for its relatability and portrayal of how political agendas often ruin friendships, something that a lot of us have experienced too.