Rawindra Pulle's Ardha Shathabdham presents a dark, gritty depiction of caste-based violence and honor killings in rural India. The story follows Karthik Rathnam, whose love life becomes a lens to explore societal norms and their consequences. While the film's pacing suffers in the first half, the latter half takes a compelling dive into the caste conflict. The village atmosphere is skillfully crafted, immersing viewers in the oppressive reality of rural caste systems. Although not without flaws, *Ardha Shathabdham* offers a strong critique of the slow pace of social progress, highlighting the pervasive nature of caste-related violence.
