2402:3A80:CC2:89C0:0:0:10A8:6D67: Link says 8 to 10 crores

2021-05-25T08:52:15Z

Link says 8 to 10 crores

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{{Use Indian English|date=June 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Upendra
| image = Upendra film poster.jpg
| alt = 
| caption = Theatrical poster
| native_name = {{Infobox name module|kn|ಉಪೇಂದ್ರ}}
{{Infobox name module|te|ఉపేంద్ర}}
| director = [[Upendra (actor)|Upendra]]
| producer = Shilpa Srinivas
| writer = Upendra
| screenplay = Upendra
| story = Upendra
| starring = [[Upendra (actor)|Upendra]]<br/>[[Raveena Tandon]] <br /> [[Prema (actress, born 1977)|Prema]] <br />Damini
| music = [[Gurukiran]]
| cinematography = A.V. Krishna Kumar
| editing = T. Shashi kumar
| studio = Srinivasa Productions
| distributor =
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|1999|10|22|}}
| runtime = 138 minutes
| country = India
| language = [[Kannada]]
| gross = {{INR}} 8-10 [[crore]]<ref>{{cite web |title=UPENDRA The Utopian |url=http://www.chitraloka.com/english/stock_shots/upendra.html |publisher=chitraloka.com |access-date=16 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000824054620/http://www.chitraloka.com/english/stock_shots/upendra.html |archive-date=24 August 2000}}</ref>
}}

'''''Upendra''''' is a 1999 [[Cinema of Karnataka|Kannada]] [[psychological thriller film]] written and directed by [[Upendra (actor)|Upendra]]. It starred Upendra, [[Raveena Tandon]], [[Prema (actress, born 1977)|Prema]] and Damini in the lead roles. The film explores three human emotions through the relationship between the main character and the three heroines. The songs of the film were written by Upendra and music was composed by [[Gurukiran]]. The movie has a cult fanbase.

The film won [[Filmfare Award for Best Film – Kannada|Filmfare Award for Best Film (Kannada)]] and [[Filmfare Award for Best Director (Kannada)]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hindu.com/thehindu/2000/04/15/stories/09150651.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013145530/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2000/04/15/stories/09150651.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-10-13 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=2000-04-15 |title=Filmfare Awards 2000 Winners }}</ref> A Japanese who saw the film in Bangalore was impressed by it as he found it similar to the story of [[Buddha]] and the concept of ''[[Maslow's hierarchy of needs]]'' and hence got it released in Japan. It was screened at the [[Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival]] in Japan in 2001.<ref>[http://www.nowrunning.com/celebrity/191/upendra/index.htm Upendra Profile, Pictures, Movies, Events – Indian Celebrity Upendra Page]</ref> A sequel tilted ''[[Uppi 2]]'' was released in 2015.

== Plot ==
Betala begins to narrate one of his puzzling tales to [[Vikramāditya]] which is the story of Naanu (translates to I/Me/Myself), an ego-driven selfish rogue and the three women in his life. Naanu since childhood hates hypocrisy and always speaks the truth. In the process, he exposes the truth behind everything. A young woman Rathi comes to know her father's hatred towards her in this process and falls in love with Naanu. However she finds out that Naanu wants to marry a billionaire Keerthi whose deceased father decides that her husband would inherit her entire wealth. He prints wedding cards and distributes it to all, including the employees working in Keerthi's establishments. This angers Keerthi who orders her guardian's son (who wants to marry her for the same reason) to attack Naanu. They bring a woman Swathi, who lives in his house and torture her. Naanu comes to her rescue and it is revealed that Swathi is Naanu's wife.

Rathi meets him in person and confirms the facts. She threatens to kill both the women and commit a suicide if Naanu leaves her for anyone of those two women. He agrees, and Swathi leaves. She rescues the duo from Keerthi's henchmen and in turn, Naanu persuades her to return. She too threatens to kill both the women if Naanu leaves her for anyone of those two, to which Naanu agrees. He continues to be in a relationship with Rathi and hides it from Swathi and vice versa. However, his obsession for Keerthi never dies. He traps her guardian and after a turn of events, Keerthi agrees to marry him. While they both are in a jubilant mood, Rathi and Swathi come to know about this and reach the harbour where the duo is currently hiding in from the henchmen of Keerthi's guardian. When they reach the harbour, Keerthi is informed about Naanu's plans and she drops her marriage plans with him. He kidnaps all the three women and kills Keerthi's guardian and her son.

Naanu and the three women reach an old building where an injured Naanu threatens to kill all of them and forces all to be his life partners to which they do not agree. Meanwhile, a rich person meets Naanu there who happens to be a poor man in the past. Naanu in the past advised him not to follow behind women and instead focus on earning money, adding that women will run for you if you are a wealthy man. At the same time, he sees a once-wealthy man whose wealth is usurped by his girlfriends. This pushes Naanu in a dilemma and sits in a room in the first floor. The three women, with rods in their hands, decide to kill him. Bethala stops the story here and asks Vikramāditya whether Naanu would survive or die in their hands. Vikramāditya understands the tale's intention and says that Naanu, Rathi, Swathi and Keerthi are not humans and instead represent human ego, beauty, responsibilities and money respectively. He concludes that Naanu should kill himself and take a rebirth again.

Naanu sees himself in a mirror and feels ashamed of his traits. He curses himself for pursuing all the three who never gave him any happiness. He realises the importance of "Us" instead of "I" and decides that ego is the root cause of all issues. By tearing the shirt featuring an imprint of his face, he kills his inner ego and the feeling of "I". The three woman disappear and Naanu, now silent and aimless, walks out of the building drenching in the rain.

== Cast ==
* [[Upendra (actor)|Upendra]] as Naanu (translates to I/Me/Myself)
* [[Raveena Tandon]] as Keerthi (Money)
* [[Prema (actress, born 1977)|Prema]] as Swathi (Responsibility)
* Damini as Rathi (Beauty)
*[[Arun Govil]] as [[Vikramaditya]]
*Suresh Babu
*NagaBhushan geechi
*Hari Das. G.
*[[Gurukiran]] as Nayar
*Tumkur Mohan
*[[V. Manohar]] as Subba Shastri
*Mutthu raj
*Sriraj kothari
*Sarojamma as Maari mutthu
*Shankar bhat
*Pranava murthy
*Vijaya Saarathi
*M. V. Joshi
*Samrat
*Dr. Agni divya
*Rajaram
*N. Lokanath
*Balu murugaraj
*Ravi Teja
*Sudheendra Rao
*Pushpa swamy
*Ram das
*Puttaraju
*Koramangala prakash

==Release and reception==
The rights for the film for a release in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] were acquired by producer Ambika Krishna.<ref>{{cite news |title=Upendra in Telugu |url=http://expressindia.com/screen/south.htm |access-date=7 December 2018 |work=[[Screen (magazine)|Screen]] |publisher=The Indian Express |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991010053554/http://expressindia.com/screen/south.htm |archive-date=10 October 1999}}</ref>

===Critical reception===
The film received mixed reviews from critics upon release. Reviewing the film for ''[[Deccan Herald]]'', Srikanth wrote, "The film ... hinges on one argument that the world is full of hypocrites. While most of them do not express themselves inside out, there are others like himself who express themselves outwardly, bravely and rustically." Calling the film's screenplay "excellent", he further wrote, "Upendra has overdone his role as an actor, director, writer etc. Perhaps, we should see him as a director who puts himself in the middle of the action. Damini shines as the debutant girl. Raveena Tandon dashes off a touch of glamour. Prema is herself let down by the character."<ref>{{cite web|title=Upendra review|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/oct24/rev.htm|newspaper=Deccan Herald|access-date=27 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991128102140/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/oct24/rev.htm|archive-date=28 November 1999|date=24 October 1999}}</ref>

Upendra said in an interview, "the theme is philosophical, but when I said it in a different way, some people were unable to digest it."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.telugucinema.com/c/publish/stars/upendra_interview.php |title=Stars : Star Interviews : Upendra – Interview |access-date=28 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406205239/http://www.telugucinema.com/c/publish/stars/upendra_interview.php |archive-date=6 April 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Box office===
''Upendra'' was a commercial success and was well received by the audience in [[Karnataka]] as well as in [[Andhra Pradesh]].{{citation needed|date=June 2014}} The film had a 200 days run in Karnataka and its Telugu version had a 100 days run in Andhra Pradesh.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}

==Awards==

* [[Filmfare Award for Best Director (Kannada)]] (1999)<ref name="The Hindu">{{cite web|url=http://hindu.com/thehindu/2000/04/15/stories/09150651.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013145530/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2000/04/15/stories/09150651.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 October 2011|title=Star-spangled show on cards|last=Kumar|first=S. R. Ashok|date=15 April 2000|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=25 April 2014}}</ref>
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Film – Kannada|Filmfare Award for Best Film (Kannada)]] (1999)<ref name="The Hindu" />

==Soundtrack==
Upendra wanted [[A.R. Rahman]] to compose for film for that he met him and [[Mani Ratnam]] in the year 1997 - 98. Since he was busy after the success of Roja, Bombay and many and he was busy composing for Rangeela, Dil se then opted to the regular composer.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} The music was composed by [[Gurukiran]] and lyrics penned by [[Upendra (actor)|Upendra]]. After a decade he made A.R. Rahman to compose for his movie Godfather in 2012.

{{tracklist
| headline = ''Upendra (Kannada)'' lyrics
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 28:12
| title1 = Uppigintha Ruchi Bere Illa
| extra1 = [[Upendra (actor)|Upendra]]
| length1 = 03:53
| title2 = MTV Subbalakshmige
| extra2 = [[Udit Narayan]] (lyrics) Upendra
| length2 = 04:30
| title3 = 2000 AD Lady
| extra3 = [[Gurukiran]]
| length3 = 05:36
| title4 = Enilla Enilla(lyrics) Upendra
| extra4 = Pratima Rao
| length4 = 04:32 l
| title5 = Mastu Mastu Hudugi
| extra5 = [[Mano (singer)|Mano]] (lyrics) upendra
| length5 = 04:19
| title6 = Raveena
| extra6 = [[Rajesh Krishnan]]
| length6 = 05:22
}}

There was also a Telugu Dubbed soundtrack.
{{tracklist
| headline = Telugu tracklist
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 28:12
| title1 = Mastu Mastu
| extra1 = [[Mano (singer)|Mano]], Chorus
| length1 = 03:53
| title2 = Yamadoobu Yamadoobu
| extra2 = [[Udit Narayan]], Chorus
| length2 = 04:30
| title3 = Uppuleni Aa Paapu
| extra3 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], Chorus
| length3 = 05:36
| title4 = Emundi Emundi
| extra4 = [[K. S. Chithra]]
| length4 = 04:32
| title5 = 2000 AD Ladyi
| extra5 = [[Gurukiran]]
| length5 = 04:19
| title6 = Raveena
| extra6 = [[Rajesh Krishnan]]
| length6 = 05:22
}}

==Sequel==
{{Main|Uppi 2}}

A sequel to the film titled ''Upendra 2'' was announced by Upendra in January 2012.<ref>{{cite web|author=Social Post |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/kannada/news/2012/upendra-2-poster-099492.html |title=Upendra 2 poster hits internet |publisher = Oneindia Entertainment |date=2012-09-17 |access-date=2012-11-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/img/2012/09/17-upendra-sequel.jpg |title=Upendra 2 Poster hits internet }}</ref> It was later titled as ''[[Uppi 2]]'' and was launched on 18 September 2013 at Kanteerava Studios in Bangalore.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-19/news-interviews/42217401_1_uppi-lathi-charge-upendra |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922195956/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-19/news-interviews/42217401_1_uppi-lathi-charge-upendra |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-09-22 |work=[[The Times of India]] |title=Commotion at the launch of Uppi2 }}</ref> The film starred Upendra, [[Kristina Akheeva]] and [[Parul Yadav]] in the lead roles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chitraloka.com/news/5292-uppi-resumes-uppi2-shooting.html | title=Uppi resumes Uppi2 shooting }}</ref> The film released on 14 August 2015 in [[Karnataka]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Telangana]] and United States simultaneously in over 600 theaters<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ytalkies.com/sandalwood-film-news/uppi-2-release-600-theatres |title=Uppi-2 to release in 600 theatres |publisher=Ytalkies }}</ref> and became a commercial success.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chitraloka.com/news/12395-uppi-2-completes-50-days.html |title=Uppi 2 Completes 50 Days |publisher=Chitraloka }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|2330098|Upendra}}

{{Upendra}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Upendra (Kannada Film)}}
[[Category:Films set in Bangalore]]
[[Category:1999 films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:1990s Kannada-language films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Gurukiran]]
[[Category:Films directed by Upendra]]
[[Category:Kannada-language films]]

Upendra (film) - Revision history

2402:3A80:CC2:89C0:0:0:10A8:6D67: Link says 8 to 10 crores