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{{short description|2025 film by Rohit Padaki}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2026}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Ekka
| image = Ekka poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Rohit Padaki]]
| producer = [[Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar]] Jayanna- Bhogendra Karthik Gowda [[Yogi G Raj]]
| writer = Rohit Padaki Vikram Hathvar
| story = Rohit Padaki Vikram Hathvar
| screenplay = Rohit Padaki
| starring = [[Yuva Rajkumar]] [[Sanjana Anand]] Sampada Hulivana [[Atul Kulkarni]]
| studio = [[PRK Productions]] [[Jayanna Films]] [[KRG Studios]]
| music = [[Charan Raj (composer)|Charan Raj]]
| cinematography = [[Satya Hegde]]
| editing = Deepu S. Kumar
| released = {{Film date|2025|7|18|df=y}}
| runtime = 148 minutes
| language = Kannada
| country = India
| budget =
| gross =₹12 crore <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kannada.asianetnews.com/gallery/sandalwood/kannada-cinema-ekka-movie-to-cross-10-crore-at-the-box-office-this-year-mrq-ym2pzq8|title=Ekka Box Office Collection: ನಿರ್ಮಾಪಕರ ಜೇಬು ತುಂಬಿಸ್ತಿದೆ ಬ್ಯಾಂಗಲ್ ಬಂಗಾರಿ; ಈವರೆಗಿನ ಕಲೆಕ್ಷನ್ ಎಷ್ಟು?|first1=Mahmad Rafik Published|last1=23 Jul 2025|first2=09:37 Pm|last2=Ist|website=Asianet Suvarna News|accessdate=15 Aug 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment/box-office/ekka-becomes-first-kannada-movie-which-crossed-10-crore-in-box-office-this-year-articleshow-6fqktxf|title=ബോക്സ് ഓഫീസില്‍ ഈ വര്‍ഷത്തെ ആദ്യ 10 കോടി; കന്നഡ സിനിമയ്ക്ക് ആശ്വാസമായി ആ ചിത്രം | Ekka Becomes First Kannada Movie Which Crossed 10 Crore In Box Office This Year | Asianet News Malayalam|website=www.asianetnews.com|accessdate=15 Aug 2025|archive-date=23 July 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723150713/https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment/box-office/ekka-becomes-first-kannada-movie-which-crossed-10-crore-in-box-office-this-year-articleshow-6fqktxf|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

'''''Ekka''''' ({{translation|Ace}}) is a 2025 Indian [[Kannada language|Kannada]]-language [[action drama film]] directed by [[Rohit Padaki]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2024/Oct/14/rohit-padaki-to-helm-yuva-rajkumars-second-film|title=Rohit Padaki to helm Yuva Rajkumar's second film|date=14 October 2024|work=[[Cinema Express]]}}</ref> and produced jointly by [[PRK Productions]] in association with [[Jayanna Films]] and [[KRG Studios]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/kannada/yuva-rajkumar-s-second-film-titled-ekka-unveiled-on-kannada-rajyotsava-article-114860383|title=Yuva Rajkumar's Second Film Titled 'Ekka' Unveiled On Kannada Rajyotsava|work=TimesnowNews.com|date=2 Nov 2024}}</ref> The film stars [[Yuva Rajkumar]], [[Sanjana Anand]] and Sampada Hulivana, while [[Aditya (Kannada actor)|Aditya]], [[Atul Kulkarni]], [[Shruti (actress)|Shruti]] play supporting roles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2025/Jan/14/sanjana-anand-joins-yuva-rajkumar-in-ekka|title=Sanjana Anand joins Yuva rajkumar in Ekka|work=The New Indian Express|date=14 January 2025|access-date=21 July 2025|archive-date=20 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250220082028/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2025/Jan/14/sanjana-anand-joins-yuva-rajkumar-in-ekka|url-status=live}}</ref> The music was composed by [[Charan Raj (composer)|Charan Raj]], while the cinematography and editing were handled by [[Satya Hegde]] and Deepu S. Kumar respectively.

''Ekka'' was released on 18 July 2025 and registered the biggest opening among Kannada films of the year at that time with around 1-1.5cr opening.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.koimoi.com/box-office/ekka-box-office-collection-day-1-registers-biggest-kannada-opening-of-2025-earning-159-more-than-vaamana/ |title=Ekka Box Office Collection Day 1: Registers Biggest Kannada Opening Of 2025, Earning 159% More Than Vaamana!|date=19 July 2025|work=Koimoi.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/ekka-box-office-collection-day-1-yuva-rajkumar-collects-rs-1_60-crore-on-opening-day-read-here/articleshow/122777499.cms|title='Ekka' Box Office Collection Day 1: Yuva Rajkumar collects Rs 1.60 crore on opening day - read here|work=Times of India|date=19 July 2025|access-date=21 July 2025|archive-date=21 July 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250721184208/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/ekka-box-office-collection-day-1-yuva-rajkumar-collects-rs-1_60-crore-on-opening-day-read-here/articleshow/122777499.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://m.economictimes.com/magazines/panache/kantara-chapter-1-rishab-shetty-starrer-becomes-2025s-highest-grossing-kannada-movie-crosses-rs-100-crore-mark-in-india/articleshow/124301232.cms |title=Kantara Chapter 1: Rishab Shetty starrer becomes 2025's highest-grossing Kannada movie, crosses Rs 100 crore mark in India |work=The Economic Times |date=2025-10-04 |access-date=2025-10-25}}</ref>

==Premise==
A rural thug from Parvathipura, Mutthu, gets entangled in a whirlwind of unanticipated challenges in the [[Bengaluru|Bengaluru underworld]] when he sets out to seek vengeance on his friend, Ramesh, after he betrayed him.

==Cast==
{{cast listing|
* [[Yuva Rajkumar]] as Mutthu
* [[Sanjana Anand]] as Nandini
* Sampada Hulivana as Mallika, a dancer
* [[Atul Kulkarni]] as Mastan Bhai
* [[Aditya (actor)|Aditya]] as [[Assistant commissioner of police|ACP]] Durga Prasad
* [[Shruti (actress)|Shruti]] as Ratna, Mutthu's mother
* [[Sadhu Kokila]] as Pinto, a cab business owner
* Rahul Dev Shetty
* [[Poornachandra Mysore]] as Daddy
* [[Arun Sagar]] as Garbage Ganga
* Puneeth Rudranag as Honte Seena, Nandini's brother
* Dr. Suri as Kaveri's husband
* Harini Shreekanth as Kaveri
* Archana Kottige
* Jali Jack
* Baby Arya Sriram
}}

== Production ==

=== Pre-production===
The production team [[PRK Productions]], [[KRG Studios]] and [[Jayanna Films]] announced the title of Yuva Rajkumar's second film as ''Ekka'' on 1 November 2024 which also marked the [[Karnataka Rajyotsava]] day.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 November 2024 |title=Yuva Rajkumar's second film titled "EKKA" |url=https://cinimirror.com/yuva-rajkumars-second-film-titled-ekka/ |website=Cini Mirror |language=en |access-date=24 July 2025 |archive-date=26 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326183806/https://cinimirror.com/yuva-rajkumars-second-film-titled-ekka/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was revealed that it would be directed by [[Rohit Padaki]] of ''[[Dayavittu Gamanisi]]'' and ''[[Rathnan Prapancha]]'' fame and music will be composed by [[Charan Raj (composer)|Charan Raj]]. Bollywood actor [[Atul Kulkarni]] was confirmed to be a part of the cast during November end, marking his return to Kannada cinema after three years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atul Kulkarni on board for Yuva Rajkumar-starrer 'Ekka' |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2024/Nov/26/atul-kulkarni-on-board-for-yuva-rajkumar-starrer-ekka |access-date=26 November 2024 |website=The New Indian Express.com |date=26 November 2024 |language=en |archive-date=26 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126185424/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2024/Nov/26/atul-kulkarni-on-board-for-yuva-rajkumar-starrer-ekka |url-status=live }}</ref> Actor [[Aditya (actor)|Aditya]] was also reported to be part of the cast and he would play the role of a cop. A teaser of was released in April 2025, where the official cast and crew of the film was revealed. Yuva Rajkumar expressed that the looks in the teaser is inspired by [[Puneeth Rajkumar]]'s look in ''[[Jackie (2010 film)|Jackie]]'', however there will be no other similarities.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/yuva-rajkumar-on-ekka-the-look-in-the-teaser-is-inspired-by-jackie-but-theres-no-other-connection/92237ea536411|title=Yuva Rajkumar on Ekka: The look in the teaser is inspired by Jackie but there's no other connection|date=15 July 2025|work=OTTPlay.com}}</ref> Sampada and [[Sanjana Anand]] were reported to be part of the female lead cast, which was later confirmed by the team.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sanjana Anand joins Yuva rajkumar in Ekka |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2025/Jan/14/sanjana-anand-joins-yuva-rajkumar-in-ekka |access-date=14 January 2025 |website=The New Indian Express.com |date=14 January 2025 |language=en |archive-date=15 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115204639/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2025/Jan/14/sanjana-anand-joins-yuva-rajkumar-in-ekka |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Filming ===
The film went on floors on 28 November 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ekka shoot begins |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/ekka-shoot-begins/articleshow/115779196.cms |access-date=29 November 2024 |website=Bangalore Mirror |language=en |archive-date=3 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203055317/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/ekka-shoot-begins/articleshow/115779196.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=31 July 2023 |title=Sudeep starts shooting for his next multilingual film, Kichcha 46 |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2023/Jul/31/sudeep-starts-shooting-for-his-next-multilingual-film-kichcha-46-46113.html |access-date=15 May 2024 |website=Cinema Express |language=en |archive-date=15 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515123401/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2023/Jul/31/sudeep-starts-shooting-for-his-next-multilingual-film-kichcha-46-46113.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2024/Nov/30/yuva-rajkumars-ekka-begins-locks-release-date|title=Yuva Rajkumar's 'Ekka' begins, locks release date|website=The New Indian Express.com|date=1 December 2024|access-date=24 July 2025|archive-date=8 July 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708100004/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2024/Nov/30/yuva-rajkumars-ekka-begins-locks-release-date|url-status=live}}</ref> Majority of the film was shot in and around [[Bengaluru]] with other places being [[Kashmir]], [[Kolkata]], [[Mumbai]], and at a village near [[Mysore]]. The total shooting took about 85 days to complete.

==Soundtrack==
The soundtrack, composed by [[Charan Raj (composer)|Charan Raj]], teaming up for the first time with director Rohit Padaki. The second single "Bangle Bangari" released in June 2025 crossed 10 Million views in 22 days of its release.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2025/Jul/01/yuva-rajkumar-and-sanjana-anands-ekka-song-bangle-bangari-crosses-10-million-views-in-just-22-days|title=Yuva Rajkumar and Sanjana Anand's Ekka song 'Bangle Bangari' crosses 10 million views in just 22 days|access-date=1 Jul 2025|work=[[The Hindu]]|archive-date=1 July 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250701144839/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2025/Jul/01/yuva-rajkumar-and-sanjana-anands-ekka-song-bangle-bangari-crosses-10-million-views-in-just-22-days|url-status=live}}</ref> Another single "Rowdy Rhymes" was released on 8 July 2025 which had lyrics emphasizing different shades and traits of a rowdy life in A to Z alphabetical order.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2025/Jul/08/rowdy-rhymes-from-ekka-puts-a-playful-spin-on-rowdy-life-2|title=Rowdy Rhymes from Ekka puts a playful spin on rowdy life|work=The New Indian Express|date=8 July 2025}}</ref> The audio rights were acquired by [[Anand Audio]].{{fact|date=March 2026}}

{{track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 14:36
| title1 = Ekka Maar
| lyrics1 = Nagarjun Sharma
| extra1 = Rohit Padaki, Charan Raj, Mahalingam V. M.
| length1 = 5:03
| title2 = Bangle Bangari
| lyrics2 = Nagarjun Sharma
| extra2 = [[Anthony Daasan]]
| length2 = 4:23
| title3 = Rowdy Rhymes
| lyrics3 = [[Rohit Padaki]], Nagarjun Sharma
| extra3 = [[Rohit Padaki]], [[Charan Raj (composer)|Charan Raj]]
| length3 = 5:01
| title4 = Mouna
| lyrics4 = Rohit Padaki
| extra4 = [[Sanjith Hegde]]
| length4 = 3:12
| title5 = Bidu Gaadi Yene Barali
| lyrics5 = Vikram Hatwar
| extra5 = Madhuri Seshadri
| length5 = 3:22
| title6 = Dooradalli Yaaro Ninthu
| lyrics6 = Rohit Padaki
| extra6 = Satish Ragunathan
| length6 = 3:23
}}

==Reception==
=== Critical response ===
A. Sharadhaa of ''[[Cinema Express]]'' rated the film 3/5 stars and wrote, "Director Rohit Padaki presents a story that doesn’t shout but simmers, drawing you into a transformation that feels as painful as it is inevitable. [...] ''Ekka'' may not rewrite gangster cinema, but it reshuffles the deck with meaning."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sharadhaa |first1=A. |title=Ekka Movie Review: A gritty gamble where the cards are stained with dreams, dust, and destiny |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/review/2025/Jul/19/ekka-movie-review-a-gritty-gamble-where-the-cards-are-stained-with-dreams-dust-and-destiny |work=Cinema Express |date=19 July 2025 |language=en}}</ref> ''[[India Today]]'' wrote "''Ekka'''s first half is emotionally gripping and well-built further praising Director [[Rohit Padaki]] displays strong storytelling potential and actor Yuva Rajkumar shows marked improvement and leads strongly."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ekka review: Yuva Rajkumar's film is an almost perfect Kannada actioner |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/ekka-review-yuva-rajkumar-film-kannada-action-entertainer-2757845-2025-07-18 |access-date=18 July 2025 |website=[[India Today]] |date=18 July 2025 |archive-date=2025-07-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720022436/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/ekka-review-yuva-rajkumar-film-kannada-action-entertainer-2757845-2025-07-18 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Susmita Sameera of ''[[The Times of India]]'' rated the film 2.5/5 stars and wrote, "Despite a strong ensemble, the film’s writing doesn’t always do justice to its characters or storyline. While each twist and character shows potential, the narrative often leans on familiar patterns, offering little that feels fresh or new."<ref>{{cite news |title=Ekka Movie Review: a familiar ride through the underworld |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/ekka-a-familiar-ride-through-the-underworld/movie-review/122777556.cms |work=The Times of India |date=19 July 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Swaroop Kodur of ''[[The News Minute]]'' wrote, "Despite its strong intent to tell an epic tale, the film leaves behind a murky picture that’s barely noticeable, and not enough to be remembered."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kodur |first1=Swaroop |title=Ekka review: Yuva Rajkumar's lamb-to-lion journey falters in places |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/ekka-review-yuva-rajkumars-lamb-to-lion-journey-falters-in-places |work=The News Minute |date=18 July 2025 |language=en |archive-date=25 July 2025 |access-date=15 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725103028/https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/ekka-review-yuva-rajkumars-lamb-to-lion-journey-falters-in-places |url-status=live }}</ref>

Vivek M. V. of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote, "The screenplay keeps going around in circles, promising a surprise at every turn but settling for low-hanging fruit. Themes of betrayal, vengeance, and transformation are dealt with superficially, with the antagonists nowhere close to being convincing."<ref>{{cite news |last1=M.V |first1=Vivek |title='Ekka' movie review: Yuva Rajkumar gives his all to a script that doesn't reward his effort |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/ekka-movie-review-yuva-rajkumar-rohit-padaki-charan-raj-kannada-movie/article69827563.ece |work=The Hindu |date=18 July 2025 |language=en-IN}}</ref> Sruthi Ganapathy Raman of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter India]]'' wrote, "Yuva Rajkumar’s film is a coming-of-age story of a gangster, which works when it's treated with emotion and not convention."<ref>{{cite news |title='Ekka' Movie Review: Yuva Rajkumar's Action-Drama Is Sustained by Some Fleeting Moments Of Freshness |url=https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/reviews/theatrical/ekka-movie-review-yuva-rajkumars-action-drama-is-sustained-by-some-fleeting-moments-of-freshness |work=The Hollywood Reporter India |date=4 August 2025 |language=en |archive-date=26 July 2025 |access-date=15 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726132431/https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/reviews/theatrical/ekka-movie-review-yuva-rajkumars-action-drama-is-sustained-by-some-fleeting-moments-of-freshness |url-status=live }}</ref> Pranati A. S. of ''[[Deccan Herald]]'' gave the film 2/5 stars and wrote, "Many elements can make one feel disconnected from the occurrences in the film. [...] By the end of the film, you’re no longer curious to know what happens to the hero. Just like him, you want to go back home, and get some sleep."<ref>{{cite news |title=Ekka Movie Review: Yuva Rajkumar Shines in Action, But Film Falls Flat |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/ekka-movie-review-not-much-to-celebrate-in-yuva-rajkumars-second-film-3637645 |work=Deccan Herald |date=18 July 2025 |language=en |archive-date=26 July 2025 |access-date=15 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726142934/https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/ekka-movie-review-not-much-to-celebrate-in-yuva-rajkumars-second-film-3637645 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|tt33995884}}

[[Category:2025 films]]
[[Category:2025 Indian films]]
[[Category:Indian nonlinear narrative films]]
[[Category:2020s masala films]]
[[Category:2025 Kannada-language films]]
[[Category:2025 action drama films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Charan Raj]]
[[Category:Films shot in Bengaluru]]
[[Category:Films shot in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Films shot in Mysore]]
[[Category:Films shot in Delhi]]
[[Category:Films shot in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Films shot in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Indian action drama films]]

Ekka (film) - Revision history

EzraDrago8750: Starting entry