‘Mother Promise’ review: A Wild, absurd take on Bengaluru’s gambling underworld

Poornachandra Mysore’s Mother Promise throws convention out the window. Set in Bengaluru, the film follows two gambling dons, played by Dhananjaya and Mahadeva Prasad, who divide the city with a literal line and promise not to interfere with each other. From there, story matters less than character.

This is a film of eccentrics. Donne Biriyani cuts off fingers like a modern Angulimala. A CCTV tech, played by Nagabhushana, quotes Vito Corleone and Rocky Bhai more fluently than he deals with real crime. Chi. Guru Dutt’s Maggie is a kingpin who paints bizarre artworks.

Mother Promise leans hard into absurd humour and pop culture references. Appreciate that, and you’ll find plenty to laugh at. Miss it, and the chaos may feel exhausting.

It’s not aiming for realism or a tight plot. Instead, Mysore delivers a loud, referential, and intentionally messy crime comedy.