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{{short description|2002 Indian Kannada-language film}}
{{short description|2002 Indian Kannada-language film}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name          = H{{sub|2}}O
| name          = H{{sub|2}}O
| image          = H2O Official poster .jpg
| italic_title  = no
| caption        = Film VCD cover
| image          = H2O (2002 film).jpg
| caption        = DVD cover
| director      = N. Lokanath<br />Rajaram
| director      = N. Lokanath<br />Rajaram
| writer        = [[Upendra (actor)|Upendra]]<br />Daya (Tamil dialogue)
| producer      = P. Dhanraj
| producer      = P. Dhanraj
| writer        = [[Upendra (actor)|Upendra]]
| starring      = Upendra<br />[[Prabhudeva]]<br />[[Priyanka Upendra]]
| starring      = Upendra<br/>[[Prabhudeva]]<br/>[[Priyanka Upendra]]
| music          = [[Sadhu Kokila]]
| cinematography = [[H. C. Venugopal]]
| cinematography = [[H. C. Venugopal]]
| editing        = T. Shashikumar
| editing        = T. Shashikumar
| music          = [[Sadhu Kokila]]
| studio        = Dhanaraj Films
| studio        = Dhanaraj Films
| distributor    =
| released      = {{film date|df=yes|2002|03|29}}
| released      = {{film date|df=yes|2002|03|29}}
| runtime        = 134 minutes
| runtime        = 134.30 minutes
| country        = India
| country        = India
| language      = [[Kannada language|Kannada]]<ref>{{cite web|last1=Riti|first1=M. D.|title=Prabhu Deva in a unique tap dance!|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/jan/04prabhu.htm|website=Rediff|access-date=29 April 2016|date=4 January 2001}}</ref>
| language      = Kannada<br />Tamil<ref>{{Cite web |last=Riti |first=M. D. |date=4 January 2001 |title=Prabhu Deva in a unique tap dance! |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/jan/04prabhu.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516185240/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/jan/04prabhu.htm |archive-date=16 May 2013 |access-date=29 April 2016 |website=Rediff}}</ref>
| budget        = {{INR}}8 [[crore]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 March 2002 |title=Bridge over troubled waters |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/mar/14ss.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122103107/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/mar/14ss.htm |archive-date=22 November 2021 |access-date=22 November 2021 |website=Rediff.com}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''''H{{sub|2}}O''''' is a 2002 [[India]]n [[Kannada]]-language film directed by debutants N. Lokanath and Rajaram. The film was dubbed in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] as ''H{{sub|2}}O Kaveri'' and was produced by Dhanraj under Dhanraj Films. The film's script was written by Upendra who stars in the lead role with Prabhu Deva, Priyanka Trivedi along with Babu Mohan, Sadhu Kokila and Bank Janardhan portraying supporting roles.


The film's plot revolves around the fight between two villages, as the Kaveri water issue became controversial upon its release and did well at box office. The film's cinematography and editing were handled by [[H. C. Venugopal]] and T. Shashikumar respectively. The film was dubbed in Telugu under the same name and it was dubbed into Hindi as ''Dil Ki Dhadkan''. The core concept of metaphorical reference to dispute between two states was used in the 2016 Marathi movie ''Marathi Tigers''.
'''''H{{sub|2}}O''''' is a 2002 Indian [[Kannada]]-language bilingual film directed by debutants N. Lokanath and Rajaram. The film's script was written by [[Upendra (actor)|Upendra]], who stars in the lead role with [[Prabhu Deva]] and [[Priyanka Trivedi]], along with [[Babu Mohan]], [[Sadhu Kokila]] and [[Bank Janardhan]] portraying supporting roles. The film was dubbed in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] as ''H{{sub|2}}O Kaveri'' and was produced by P. Dhanraj under Dhanraj Films.<ref name="C">{{Cite web |title=Kaveri |url=http://chennaionline.com/Moviereviews/tammov221.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050311112206/http://chennaionline.com/Moviereviews/tammov221.asp |archive-date=11 March 2005 |access-date=27 April 2022 |website=Chennai Online}}</ref>
 
The film's plot revolves around the fight between two villages, as the Kaveri water issue became controversial upon its release and did well at box office. The film's cinematography and editing were handled by [[H. C. Venugopal]] and T. Shashikumar respectively. The film was dubbed in Telugu under the same name, and it was dubbed into Hindi as ''Dil Ki Dhadkan''. The core concept of using the dispute between two states as a metaphorical reference in the story went on to inspire a similar attempt in the 2016 Marathi movie ''Marathi Tigers''.
 
== Plot ==
{{Hook|date=December 2024}}
Udayashankar Gowda is a rustic man from Honnur, Karnataka. Elsewhere, Vairamuthu is an educated youth from Chennur, Tamil Nadu. Kaveri, who was born to a Kannadiga-Tamil couple killed in riots, works as a doctor in both villages. Both Udayashankar and Vairamuthu fall for Kaveri; who prevails forms the rest of the story.


==Cast==
== Cast ==
* [[Upendra (actor)|Upendra]] as Udayashankar
{{Cast listing|
* [[Prabhudeva]] as Vairamuthu
* [[Upendra (actor)|Upendra]] as Udayashankar Gowda
* [[Priyanka Upendra]]
* [[Prabhu Deva]] as Vairamuthu
* [[Babu Mohan]]
* [[Priyanka Upendra]] as Kaveri
* [[Babu Mohan]] as Kirik
* [[Sadhu Kokila]]
* [[Sadhu Kokila]]
* [[Bank Janardhan]]
* [[Bank Janardhan]]
Line 34: Line 41:
* Shankar Bhat
* Shankar Bhat
* Pushpa Swamy
* Pushpa Swamy
* Mandapanda Aiyappa as King, heroine's father in past life
* [[Kavitha (actress)|Kavitha]] as Vairamuthu's mother
* [[Chetan (actor)|Chetan]] as a Chennur villager
* Mandapanda Aiyappa as a king, who was Kaveri's father in past life
* [[Pandu (actor)|Pandu]] as a Chennur villager
* [[King Kong (actor)|King Kong]] as Vairamuthu's friend
* Tiruppur Ramasamy as a Chennur villager
* Ganga-Jamuna as the [[Conjoined twins|Siamese twins]]
* [[Pasi Sathya]] as a Chennur villager
{{pb}}
;Uncredited
* [[Kovai Senthil]]  as a handicapped Chennur villager
* [[Nellai Siva]] as a Chennur villager
* [[Crane Manohar]] as a Chennur villager
* [[Scissor Manohar]]  as Vairamuthu's friend
* [[Chaplin Balu]] as a Chennur villager
}}
 
== Production ==
===Development===
The script was initially written for [[Dr. Rajkumar|Dr.{{nbs}}Rajkumar]] and [[Rajinikanth]];<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v95B8mUUVuo |title=ಓಂ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಕಥೆ ಕೇಳಿ ಅಣ್ಣಾವ್ರು ಫಸ್ಟ್ ಸಿಟ್ಟಿಂಗ್ ಅಲ್ಲೇ ಓಕೆ ಮಾಡಿಬಿಟ್ರು  Upendra {{!}}  Vikrama Podcast |date=2022-05-11 |last=TV VIKRAMA |language=Kn |access-date=2026-01-03 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> both refused to do the film due to its sensitive nature.<ref name="hin">{{Cite news |last=Khajane |first=Muralidhara |date=3 October 2012 |title=Tale of love and water |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/tale-of-love-and-water/article12542780.ece |access-date=11 January 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230911155232/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/tale-of-love-and-water/article12542780.ece |archive-date=11 September 2023}}</ref> The film was launched on 8 December 2000 on Bangalore Palace grounds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UPENDRA AND PRABHUDEVA STARRER LAUNCHED |url=http://chitraloka.com/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010802233146/http://chitraloka.com:80/index.html |archive-date=2 August 2001 |access-date=17 October 2023 |website=[[Chitraloka]]}}</ref> N. S. Shankar who earlier directed ''[[Ulta Palta (1997 film)|Ulta Palta]]'' (1997) was originally chosen as the director but left the project and was replaced by debutants Loknath and Rajaram, who assisted Upendra.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IT IS RAZZLE DAZZLE NIGHT ON DECEMBER 8 AT 8 PM |url=http://chitraloka.com/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010802233146/http://chitraloka.com:80/index.html |archive-date=2 August 2001 |access-date=17 October 2023 |website=[[Chitraloka]]}}</ref> The film's name was not immediately released when the project was announced.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://chitraloka.com/english/stock_shots/upendra_intrivew.html|title=UPENDRA ANSWERS QUESTIONS FROM FANS ACROSS THE WORLD: UPPIGINTHA RUCHI BERE ILLA|work=[[Chitraloka.com]]|date=9 June 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010609174053/http://chitraloka.com/english/stock_shots/upendra_intrivew.html|archive-date=9 June 2001}}</ref>


==Production==
===Casting and filming===
The film's script was initially written in 1998 for Dr. Rajkumar and Rajinikanth, who both refused to do the film due to the sensitive nature of the film.<ref name = hin>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/tale-of-love-and-water/article12542780.ece|title=Tale of love and water|first=Muralidhara|last=Khajane|date=3 October 2012|access-date=11 January 2020|via=www.thehindu.com|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref>
While a majority of the film was shot in Kannada, some scenes were shot in Tamil only.<ref name="C"/> Ganga and Yamuna, [[siamese twins]] from Calcutta were brought to act in the film.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indiainfo: Kannada: Interview: Rajaram |url=http://movies.indiainfo.com/kannada/interviews/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020804060303/http://movies.indiainfo.com/kannada/interviews/index.html |archive-date=4 August 2002 |access-date=18 November 2023 |website=India Info}}</ref> A song was shot at Sam Sund Dunes, Kuldhara village, Pag Bawri, and Gadisar Lake at Jaisalmer, while the rest of the song including the war sequences was shot at Mohan Garh Fort, Pokhran fort. Two hundred horses from Mumbai were brought in specifically for this sequence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DHANARAJ'S UNTITLED 'UPPI' FILM DIRECTOR'S EXPERIENCE |url=http://chitraloka.com/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011102182628fw_/http://www.chitraloka.com/english/action_cut/upendra_film.html |archive-date=2 November 2001 |access-date=16 October 2023 |website=Chitraloka}}</ref> According to the film's producer Dhanraj, "exactly 1.80 lakh feet of film is cranked for the 18,000 feet. Nearly 36 hours of film has been stored for 2 and a half hours".<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 October 2001 |title=I Spent money like a water |url=http://chitraloka.com/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011208184614/http://chitraloka.com/index.html |archive-date=8 December 2001 |access-date=16 October 2023 |website=Chitraloka}}</ref> For a song which was shot at Ooty, colorful flowers were spread around the hills with 20 dancers. It was shot for 18 days using an ARRI 435 ES camera. The song also featured "14 feet rotating globe underneath a motor and covered the motor with small size globes" which Upendra danced on.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RISKY SHOTS AND DARING STUNTS |url=http://chitraloka.com/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010802233146/http://chitraloka.com:80/index.html |archive-date=2 August 2001 |access-date=17 October 2023 |website=Chitraloka}}</ref>


==Soundtrack==
== Soundtrack ==
[[Sadhu Kokila]] composed the music for the film. The lyrics were written by Upendra. The soundtrack album was released on 27 May 2001 at [[Kanteerava Studios]], [[Bangalore]].<ref>{{cite news |title=H2O audio release |url=http://www.screenindia.com/20010615/rkana2.html |access-date=22 September 2020 |work=[[Screen (magazine)|Screen]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010711155546/http://www.screenindia.com/20010615/rkana2.html |archive-date=11 July 2001}}</ref>
[[Sadhu Kokila]] composed the music for the film. The lyrics were written by Upendra. The soundtrack album was released on 27 May 2001 at [[Kanteerava Studios]], [[Bangalore]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=H2O audio release |work=[[Screen (magazine)|Screen]] |url=http://www.screenindia.com/20010615/rkana2.html |access-date=22 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010711155546/http://www.screenindia.com/20010615/rkana2.html |archive-date=11 July 2001}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=H2O AUDIO RELEASED |url=http://www.chitraloka.com/english/action_cut/h2o_cass.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010609132230fw_/http://www.chitraloka.com/english/action_cut/h2o_cass.html |archive-date=9 June 2001 |access-date=20 October 2023 |website=Chitraloka}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! # !! Title !! Singers !! Length
! Title !! Singers !! Length
|-
|-
| 1 || "Hoove Hoove" || [[Kavita Krishnamurthy]] || 5:50
| "Hoove Hoove" || [[Kavita Krishnamurthy]] || 5:50
|-
|-
| 2 || "Bida Beda Bida Beda" ||[[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]], [[Upendra (actor)|Upendra]] || 5:06
| "Bida Beda Bida Beda" ||[[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]], [[Upendra (actor)|Upendra]] || 5:06
|-
|-
| 3 || "Kandavideko Mamsavideko" || [[Shankar Mahadevan]] || 5:53
| "Kandavideko Mamsavideko" || [[Shankar Mahadevan]] || 5:53
|-
|-
| 4 || "I Wanna See My Darling" || [[Rajesh Krishnan]], Pratima Rao || 5:22
| "I Wanna See My Darling" || [[Rajesh Krishnan]], Pratima Rao || 5:22
|-
|-
| 5 || "OK OK OK" || [[Gurukiran]] || 5:49
| "OK OK OK" || [[Gurukiran]] || 5:49
|-
|-
| 6 || "Dil Ilde Love" || Upendra || 5:43
| "Dil Ilde Love" || Upendra || 5:43
|}
|}


===Reception===
=== Reception ===
''H{{sub|2}}O'' was Upendra's return to the big screen after a hiatus of 2 years. Upon its audio release, a record number of audio cassettes and CDs were sold. The film created a new record and went on to do a business of more than {{INR}}1 crore through audio sales. Soundtrack numbers like "I Wanna See My Darling", "Hoove Hoove", "Naa Ninna Bidalare", "Bida Byada", and "Dil Ilde" went on to top the charts.<ref>
''H{{sub|2}}O'' was Upendra's return to the big screen after a hiatus of 2 years. Upon its audio release, a record number of audio cassettes and CDs were sold. The film created a new record and went on to do a business of more than {{INR}}1 crore through audio sales. Soundtrack numbers like "I Wanna See My Darling", "Hoove Hoove", "Naa Ninna Bidalare", "Bida Byada", and "Dil Ilde" went on to top the charts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Witty words for Upendra-Prabhudeva starrer |url=http://www.ourkarnataka.com/entertainment/music_review_h2o.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102010026/http://www.ourkarnataka.com/entertainment/music_review_h2o.htm |archive-date=2 November 2012 |access-date=2 November 2012 |website=The Music Magazine}}</ref>
{{cite web
|url         = http://www.ourkarnataka.com/entertainment/music_review_h2o.htm
|title      = Witty words for Upendra-Prabhudeva starrer
|work        = [[The Music Magazine]]
|publisher  = ourkarnataka.com
|access-date  = 2 November 2012
|url-status     = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121102010026/http://www.ourkarnataka.com/entertainment/music_review_h2o.htm
|archive-date = 2 November 2012
|df          = dmy-all
}}</ref>


==Themes==
== Themes ==
''H2o'' is a triangular love story between a Kannadiga and a Tamilian vying for the love of a girl called ''Kaveri'', it is actually a metaphorical reference for the river Cauvery dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Upendra noted that he compared the issue to Siamese twins "tried to communicate that harmonious living is the only suitable solution to the Cauvery dispute, rather than fighting over it."<ref name = hin/>
''H2o'' is a triangular love story between a Kannadiga and a Tamilian vying for the love of a girl called "Kaveri", it is actually a metaphorical reference for the river Cauvery dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Upendra noted that he compared the issue to Siamese twins "tried to communicate that harmonious living is the only suitable solution to the Cauvery dispute, rather than fighting over it."<ref name="hin" /> The river Kaveri which is a subject matter of dispute between two states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu being used as a metaphorical reference in the movie by naming the heroine as "Kaveri" and making the two lead heroes belonging to these two states went on to inspire the 2016 Marathi movie ''Marathi Tigers'' which was a triangular love story between two lead heroes belonging to Maharashtra and Karnataka vying for the love of a girl called "Seema" (literally meaning border)&nbsp;– thereby referring to the border dispute between these two states.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 February 2016 |title=Film Review: Marathi Tigers |url=https://punemirror.com/entertainment/marathi-reviews/film-review-marathi-tigers/cid5088057.htm |website=[[Pune Mirror]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Marathi Tigers Movie Review Zee Talkies latest Movie Reviews online at ZeeTalkies.com |url=http://www.zeetalkies.com/reviews/marathi-tigers-movie-review.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207000719/http://www.zeetalkies.com/reviews/marathi-tigers-movie-review.html |archive-date=7 February 2016 |access-date=11 January 2020 |website=zeetalkies.com}}</ref>


==Release==
== Release ==
===Controversy===
=== Marketing ===
The film became controversial due to its content as the activists from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu demanded the film to be banned. Upendra was forced to compromise by dubbing Tamil dialogues in the film into Kannada and vice versa, to appease linguistics sentiments on both sides. Scenes containing flags of political parties were deleted, before its re-release.<ref name = hin/>
A 100 feet huge cutout was kept at Kapali Theatre, Bangalore.<ref>{{Cite web |title=H2O HYPE AND HOOPLA |url=http://chitraloka.com/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010802233146/http://chitraloka.com:80/index.html |archive-date=2 August 2001 |access-date=17 October 2023 |website=Chitraloka}}</ref>


===Critical reception===
=== Controversy ===
The film received highly positive reviews upon release. Critics applauded the way Upendra had managed to narrate a sensitive matter like the Kaveri River water dispute in a commercial way.<ref>
The film became controversial due to its content as the activists from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu demanded the film to be banned. Upendra was forced to compromise by dubbing Tamil dialogues in the film into Kannada and vice versa, to appease linguistics sentiments on both sides. Scenes containing flags of political parties were deleted before its re-release.<ref name="hin" /> The film's Tamil version was never released in Malaysia due to a rule that "any film that is likely to instigate enmity between two groups will not be given permission for screening."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://in.movies.yahoo.com/021021/113/1wnve.html|date=21 October 2002|access-date=28 July 2025|website=Yahoo Movies|title=No to 'Kaveri' in Malaysia?|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030114034416/http://in.movies.yahoo.com/021021/113/1wnve.html|archive-date=14 January 2003}}</ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/kannada/review.php?id=11203710&ctid=5&cid=2427
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050121140233/http://sify.com/movies/kannada/review.php?id=11203710&ctid=5&cid=2427
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=21 January 2005
|title=H2O
|publisher=sify movies
|access-date=2 November 2012
}}</ref>


===Box-office performance===
=== Critical reception ===
''H{{sub|2}}O'' completed 50 days of run in 28 theatres across [[Karnataka]] and also went on to complete 75 days of run in [[Bangalore]], despite controversies and release in excessive number of theatres playing spoilsport. ''H{{sub|2}}O'' was a 'Semi Hit' at the box office.<ref name = ra>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.angelfire.com/stars/upendra/rajaram/interview/Rajaram_English.html |title=H2O Director Rajaram Interview |publisher= |date= }}</ref><ref name="P Vasu Interview">{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-p-vasu/20120125.htm |title=P Vasu Interview |publisher= |date= }}</ref> Although a commercial success,<ref>
''Sify'' wrote "On the whole Upendra and Co. have dished out a decent entertainer with a clear message that politicians are responsible for all troubles in our society".<ref name="sify">{{Cite web |title=H2O |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/kannada/review.php?id=11203710&ctid=5&cid=2427 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050121140233/http://sify.com/movies/kannada/review.php?id=11203710&ctid=5&cid=2427 |archive-date=21 January 2005 |access-date=2 November 2012 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> ''Indiainfo'' wrote "Though it is based on 'Cauvery water issue' where the two villages are the two states and represented by the two heroes. Cauvery is the core issue between them. Infact the subject is good but the treatment is superficial".<ref name="ii">{{Cite web |title=H2O |url=http://movies.indiainfo.com/kannada/reviews/h2o.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20020609134518/http://movies.indiainfo.com/kannada/reviews/h2o.html |archive-date=9 June 2002 |website=Indiainfo.com}}</ref> Reviewing the Tamil version ''Kaveri'', Malini Mannath of ''Chennai Online'' wrote, "One doesn't know the intention of the director when he began the film. All we can say is that the director was terribly distracted during the making of it. By the obvious charms of the heroine Priyanka, who flits around the place in her two-piece minis, anything lesser would have brought on the charge of obscenity. Whether the director had managed to put across his message or not, he has definitely managed to show 'Cauvery' in all her glory!".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chennaionline.com/Moviereviews/tammov221.asp|title=Kaveri|date=27 October 2002|first=Malini|last=Mannath|access-date=2 January 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030225155617/http://www.chennaionline.com/Moviereviews/tammov221.asp|archive-date=25 February 2003|website=Chennai Online}}</ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-two-kannada-films-will-fight-it-out-this-weekend/20110707.htm
|title=Two Kannada films will fight it out this weekend
|last=Lakshminarayana
|first=Shruti Indira
|publisher=Rediff|date=7 July 2011
|access-date=2 November 2012
}}</ref><ref name="P Vasu Interview"/> it turned out to be the least running film of Upendra till then in terms of long run by completing only 75 days of run. This was very less compared to his previous films like ''[[A (Kannada film)|A]]'' (1998), ''[[Upendra (film)|Upendra]] (1999)'', ''[[Preethse]]'' (2000), all of which had completed more than 175 days of run. Unlike other Upendra films of that time, ''H{{sub|2}}O'' could not get a long run at the box office mainly due to negative controversies and temporary ban on the film.


However, irrespective of its under-performance, the distributors and exhibitors made huge business from ''H{{sub|2}}O''.<ref>
=== Box-office performance ===
{{cite news
''H{{sub|2}}O'' completed 50 days of run in 28 theatres across [[Karnataka]] and also went on to complete 75 days of run in [[Bangalore]], despite controversies and release in excessive number of theatres playing spoilsport. ''H{{sub|2}}O'' was a 'Semi Hit' at the box office.<ref name="ra">{{Cite web |title=H2O Director Rajaram Interview |url=https://www.angelfire.com/stars/upendra/rajaram/interview/Rajaram_English.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021162702/http://www.angelfire.com/stars/upendra/rajaram/interview/Rajaram_English.html |archive-date=21 October 2014 |access-date=21 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="P Vasu Interview">{{Cite web |title=P Vasu Interview |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-p-vasu/20120125.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714230724/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-p-vasu/20120125.htm |archive-date=14 July 2015 |access-date=21 October 2014}}</ref> Although a commercial success,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lakshminarayana |first=Shruti Indira |date=7 July 2011 |title=Two Kannada films will fight it out this weekend |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-two-kannada-films-will-fight-it-out-this-weekend/20110707.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220102743/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-two-kannada-films-will-fight-it-out-this-weekend/20110707.htm |archive-date=20 December 2016 |access-date=2 November 2012 |website=Rediff.com}}</ref><ref name="P Vasu Interview" /> it turned out to be the least running film of Upendra till then in terms of long run by completing only 75 days of run. This was very less compared to his previous films like ''[[A (Kannada film)|A]]'' (1998), ''[[Upendra (film)|Upendra]] (1999)'', ''[[Preethse]]'' (2000), all of which had completed more than 175 days of run. Unlike other Upendra films of that time, ''H{{sub|2}}O'' could not get a long run at the box office mainly due to negative controversies and temporary ban on the film.
|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/09/02/stories/2004090201750100.htm
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041112121704/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/09/02/stories/2004090201750100.htm
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=12 November 2004
|title=Behind the curtains
|work=[[The Hindu]]
|date=2 September 2004
|access-date=2 November 2012
}}</ref> Even though the distributors of ''H{{sub|2}}O'' earned huge profits and the film's collections were on par with other hit films of that time,<ref name = gan>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.gandhadagudi.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6961&start=465 |title=H2O&nbsp;– Kannada film discussion |publisher= |date= }}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.dhoperchop.com/content/0911609-upendra-and-priyankas-upcoming-kannada-comeback-movie-srimathi-2010
|title=Title unknown
|publisher=dhoperchop.com
|access-date=2 November 2012
}}</ref> it was termed as a flop by the media because of the film not reaching expectations. Producer Dhanraj went on a strike against Upendra demanding free call-sheet from him, stating that he had suffered huge losses from the movie.<ref>
{{cite news
|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/05/28/stories/2002052800410402.htm
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040705212039/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/05/28/stories/2002052800410402.htm
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=5 July 2004
|title=H2O travails continue for Dhanraj
|work=[[The Hindu]]
|date=28 May 2002
|access-date=2 November 2012
}}</ref>


However, ''H{{sub|2}}O'' continues to remain in the 'Hit' status among some section of the media and box office analysts.<ref name = gan/> Rajaram, one of the directors of the film, mentioned in an interview that "''H{{sub|2}}O'' had a successful run at the box office, although the product couldn't reach the mass properly baked, for so many other reasons".<ref name = ra/> In an interview with [[TV9 (Kannada)|TV9]] in 2011, Upendra denied that ''H{{sub|2}}O'' was a failure. According to Upendra, the film got extra ordinary openings and collections at the box office, but could not get a long run beyond 75 days due to excessive release, mass distribution and controversies playing spoilsport. Upendra explained that a major chunk of ''H{{sub|2}}O'''s profits went to the distributors and exhibitors instead of the producer due to mass distribution and flawed marketing by the producer.<ref>
However, irrespective of its under-performance, the distributors and exhibitors made huge business from ''H{{sub|2}}O''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 September 2004 |title=Behind the curtains |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/09/02/stories/2004090201750100.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=2 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041112121704/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/09/02/stories/2004090201750100.htm |archive-date=12 November 2004}}</ref> Even though the distributors of ''H{{sub|2}}O'' earned huge profits and the film's collections were on par with other hit films of that time,<ref name="gan">{{Cite web |title=H2O&nbsp;– Kannada film discussion |url=http://www.gandhadagudi.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6961&start=465 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924020721/http://www.gandhadagudi.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6961&start=465 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=1 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Title unknown |url=http://www.dhoperchop.com/content/0911609-upendra-and-priyankas-upcoming-kannada-comeback-movie-srimathi-2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617041107/http://www.dhoperchop.com/content/0911609-upendra-and-priyankas-upcoming-kannada-comeback-movie-srimathi-2010 |archive-date=17 June 2010 |access-date=2 November 2012 |publisher=dhoperchop.com}}</ref> it was termed as a flop by the media because of the film not reaching expectations. Producer Dhanraj went on a strike against Upendra demanding free call-sheet from him, stating that he had suffered huge losses from the movie.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 May 2002 |title=H2O travails continue for Dhanraj |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/05/28/stories/2002052800410402.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=2 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040705212039/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/05/28/stories/2002052800410402.htm |archive-date=5 July 2004}}</ref>
{{cite web
|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtNJ7o71NUg
|title=Upendra explains that H2O was a decent hit
|publisher=[[YouTube]]
|access-date=2 November 2012
}}</ref>


The core-concept of the movie was re-used in the controversial 2016 Marathi movie ''Marathi Tigers'' - which incidentally was a triangular lovestory between a Marathi and a Kannadiga vying for the love of a girl called ''Seema'' (which literally means ''border'')- thereby metaphorically referring the border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.zeetalkies.com/reviews/marathi-tigers-movie-review.html|title=Marathi Tigers Movie Review Zee Talkies latest Movie Reviews online at ZeeTalkies.com|website=www.zeetalkies.com|access-date=11 January 2020}}</ref>
However, ''H{{sub|2}}O'' continues to remain in the 'Hit' status among some section of the media and box office analysts.<ref name="gan" /> Rajaram, one of the directors of the film, mentioned in an interview that "''H{{sub|2}}O'' had a successful run at the box office, although the product couldn't reach the mass properly baked, for so many other reasons".<ref name="ra" /> In an interview with [[TV9 (Kannada)|TV9]] in 2011, Upendra denied that ''H{{sub|2}}O'' was a failure. According to Upendra, the film got extra ordinary openings and collections at the box office, but could not get a long run beyond 75 days due to excessive release, mass distribution and controversies playing spoilsport. Upendra explained that a major chunk of ''H{{sub|2}}O'''s profits went to the distributors and exhibitors instead of the producer due to mass distribution and flawed marketing by the producer.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtNJ7o71NUg |title=Upendra explains that H2O was a decent hit |access-date=2 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414174736/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtNJ7o71NUg&gl=US&hl=en |archive-date=14 April 2023 |url-status=live |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>


==References==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


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


{{DEFAULTSORT:H2O (2002 film)}}
[[Category:2002 Kannada-language films]]
[[Category:2000s Kannada-language films]]
[[Category:2002 films]]
[[Category:2002 films]]
[[Category:Kannada-language films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Kaveri River]]
[[Category:Kaveri River]]
[[Category:2002 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:2002 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:Kannada films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Kannada films remade in other languages]]
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''H<sub>2</sub>O'' (2002 film)}}

Latest revision as of 03:12, 4 March 2026


H2O
DVD cover
Directed byN. Lokanath
Rajaram
Produced byP. Dhanraj
Written byUpendra
Daya (Tamil dialogue)
StarringUpendra
Prabhudeva
Priyanka Upendra
Music bySadhu Kokila
CinematographyH. C. Venugopal
Edited byT. Shashikumar
Production
company
Dhanaraj Films
Release date
  • 29 March 2002 (2002-03-29)
Running time
134.30 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageKannada
Tamil[1]
Budget₹8 crore[2]

H2O is a 2002 Indian Kannada-language bilingual film directed by debutants N. Lokanath and Rajaram. The film's script was written by Upendra, who stars in the lead role with Prabhu Deva and Priyanka Trivedi, along with Babu Mohan, Sadhu Kokila and Bank Janardhan portraying supporting roles. The film was dubbed in Tamil as H2O Kaveri and was produced by P. Dhanraj under Dhanraj Films.[3]

The film's plot revolves around the fight between two villages, as the Kaveri water issue became controversial upon its release and did well at box office. The film's cinematography and editing were handled by H. C. Venugopal and T. Shashikumar respectively. The film was dubbed in Telugu under the same name, and it was dubbed into Hindi as Dil Ki Dhadkan. The core concept of using the dispute between two states as a metaphorical reference in the story went on to inspire a similar attempt in the 2016 Marathi movie Marathi Tigers.

Plot[edit | edit source]

Template:Hook Udayashankar Gowda is a rustic man from Honnur, Karnataka. Elsewhere, Vairamuthu is an educated youth from Chennur, Tamil Nadu. Kaveri, who was born to a Kannadiga-Tamil couple killed in riots, works as a doctor in both villages. Both Udayashankar and Vairamuthu fall for Kaveri; who prevails forms the rest of the story.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Uncredited

Production[edit | edit source]

Development[edit | edit source]

The script was initially written for [[Dr. Rajkumar|Dr.Template:NbsRajkumar]] and Rajinikanth;[4] both refused to do the film due to its sensitive nature.[5] The film was launched on 8 December 2000 on Bangalore Palace grounds.[6] N. S. Shankar who earlier directed Ulta Palta (1997) was originally chosen as the director but left the project and was replaced by debutants Loknath and Rajaram, who assisted Upendra.[7] The film's name was not immediately released when the project was announced.[8]

Casting and filming[edit | edit source]

While a majority of the film was shot in Kannada, some scenes were shot in Tamil only.[3] Ganga and Yamuna, siamese twins from Calcutta were brought to act in the film.[9] A song was shot at Sam Sund Dunes, Kuldhara village, Pag Bawri, and Gadisar Lake at Jaisalmer, while the rest of the song including the war sequences was shot at Mohan Garh Fort, Pokhran fort. Two hundred horses from Mumbai were brought in specifically for this sequence.[10] According to the film's producer Dhanraj, "exactly 1.80 lakh feet of film is cranked for the 18,000 feet. Nearly 36 hours of film has been stored for 2 and a half hours".[11] For a song which was shot at Ooty, colorful flowers were spread around the hills with 20 dancers. It was shot for 18 days using an ARRI 435 ES camera. The song also featured "14 feet rotating globe underneath a motor and covered the motor with small size globes" which Upendra danced on.[12]

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

Sadhu Kokila composed the music for the film. The lyrics were written by Upendra. The soundtrack album was released on 27 May 2001 at Kanteerava Studios, Bangalore.[13][14]

Title Singers Length
"Hoove Hoove" Kavita Krishnamurthy 5:50
"Bida Beda Bida Beda" Hariharan, Upendra 5:06
"Kandavideko Mamsavideko" Shankar Mahadevan 5:53
"I Wanna See My Darling" Rajesh Krishnan, Pratima Rao 5:22
"OK OK OK" Gurukiran 5:49
"Dil Ilde Love" Upendra 5:43

Reception[edit | edit source]

H2O was Upendra's return to the big screen after a hiatus of 2 years. Upon its audio release, a record number of audio cassettes and CDs were sold. The film created a new record and went on to do a business of more than ₹1 crore through audio sales. Soundtrack numbers like "I Wanna See My Darling", "Hoove Hoove", "Naa Ninna Bidalare", "Bida Byada", and "Dil Ilde" went on to top the charts.[15]

Themes[edit | edit source]

H2o is a triangular love story between a Kannadiga and a Tamilian vying for the love of a girl called "Kaveri", it is actually a metaphorical reference for the river Cauvery dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Upendra noted that he compared the issue to Siamese twins "tried to communicate that harmonious living is the only suitable solution to the Cauvery dispute, rather than fighting over it."[5] The river Kaveri which is a subject matter of dispute between two states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu being used as a metaphorical reference in the movie by naming the heroine as "Kaveri" and making the two lead heroes belonging to these two states went on to inspire the 2016 Marathi movie Marathi Tigers which was a triangular love story between two lead heroes belonging to Maharashtra and Karnataka vying for the love of a girl called "Seema" (literally meaning border) – thereby referring to the border dispute between these two states.[16][17]

Release[edit | edit source]

Marketing[edit | edit source]

A 100 feet huge cutout was kept at Kapali Theatre, Bangalore.[18]

Controversy[edit | edit source]

The film became controversial due to its content as the activists from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu demanded the film to be banned. Upendra was forced to compromise by dubbing Tamil dialogues in the film into Kannada and vice versa, to appease linguistics sentiments on both sides. Scenes containing flags of political parties were deleted before its re-release.[5] The film's Tamil version was never released in Malaysia due to a rule that "any film that is likely to instigate enmity between two groups will not be given permission for screening."[19]

Critical reception[edit | edit source]

Sify wrote "On the whole Upendra and Co. have dished out a decent entertainer with a clear message that politicians are responsible for all troubles in our society".[20] Indiainfo wrote "Though it is based on 'Cauvery water issue' where the two villages are the two states and represented by the two heroes. Cauvery is the core issue between them. Infact the subject is good but the treatment is superficial".[21] Reviewing the Tamil version Kaveri, Malini Mannath of Chennai Online wrote, "One doesn't know the intention of the director when he began the film. All we can say is that the director was terribly distracted during the making of it. By the obvious charms of the heroine Priyanka, who flits around the place in her two-piece minis, anything lesser would have brought on the charge of obscenity. Whether the director had managed to put across his message or not, he has definitely managed to show 'Cauvery' in all her glory!".[22]

Box-office performance[edit | edit source]

H2O completed 50 days of run in 28 theatres across Karnataka and also went on to complete 75 days of run in Bangalore, despite controversies and release in excessive number of theatres playing spoilsport. H2O was a 'Semi Hit' at the box office.[23][24] Although a commercial success,[25][24] it turned out to be the least running film of Upendra till then in terms of long run by completing only 75 days of run. This was very less compared to his previous films like A (1998), Upendra (1999), Preethse (2000), all of which had completed more than 175 days of run. Unlike other Upendra films of that time, H2O could not get a long run at the box office mainly due to negative controversies and temporary ban on the film.

However, irrespective of its under-performance, the distributors and exhibitors made huge business from H2O.[26] Even though the distributors of H2O earned huge profits and the film's collections were on par with other hit films of that time,[27][28] it was termed as a flop by the media because of the film not reaching expectations. Producer Dhanraj went on a strike against Upendra demanding free call-sheet from him, stating that he had suffered huge losses from the movie.[29]

However, H2O continues to remain in the 'Hit' status among some section of the media and box office analysts.[27] Rajaram, one of the directors of the film, mentioned in an interview that "H2O had a successful run at the box office, although the product couldn't reach the mass properly baked, for so many other reasons".[23] In an interview with TV9 in 2011, Upendra denied that H2O was a failure. According to Upendra, the film got extra ordinary openings and collections at the box office, but could not get a long run beyond 75 days due to excessive release, mass distribution and controversies playing spoilsport. Upendra explained that a major chunk of H2O's profits went to the distributors and exhibitors instead of the producer due to mass distribution and flawed marketing by the producer.[30]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Riti, M. D. (4 January 2001). "Prabhu Deva in a unique tap dance!". Rediff. Archived from the original on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  2. ↑ "Bridge over troubled waters". Rediff.com. 14 March 2002. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Kaveri". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 11 March 2005. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  4. ↑ TV VIKRAMA (11 May 2022). ಓಂ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಕಥೆ ಕೇಳಿ ಅಣ್ಣಾವ್ರು ಫಸ್ಟ್ ಸಿಟ್ಟಿಂಗ್ ಅಲ್ಲೇ ಓಕೆ ಮಾಡಿಬಿಟ್ರು Upendra | Vikrama Podcast (in ಕನ್ನಡ). Retrieved 3 January 2026 – via YouTube.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Khajane, Muralidhara (3 October 2012). "Tale of love and water". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 January 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. ↑ "UPENDRA AND PRABHUDEVA STARRER LAUNCHED". Chitraloka. Archived from the original on 2 August 2001. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  7. ↑ "IT IS RAZZLE DAZZLE NIGHT ON DECEMBER 8 AT 8 PM". Chitraloka. Archived from the original on 2 August 2001. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  8. ↑ "UPENDRA ANSWERS QUESTIONS FROM FANS ACROSS THE WORLD: UPPIGINTHA RUCHI BERE ILLA". Chitraloka.com. 9 June 2001. Archived from the original on 9 June 2001.
  9. ↑ "Indiainfo: Kannada: Interview: Rajaram". India Info. Archived from the original on 4 August 2002. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  10. ↑ "DHANARAJ'S UNTITLED 'UPPI' FILM DIRECTOR'S EXPERIENCE". Chitraloka. Archived from the original on 2 November 2001. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  11. ↑ "I Spent money like a water". Chitraloka. 5 October 2001. Archived from the original on 8 December 2001. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  12. ↑ "RISKY SHOTS AND DARING STUNTS". Chitraloka. Archived from the original on 2 August 2001. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  13. ↑ "H2O audio release". Screen. Archived from the original on 11 July 2001. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  14. ↑ "H2O AUDIO RELEASED". Chitraloka. Archived from the original on 9 June 2001. Retrieved 20 October 2023.
  15. ↑ "Witty words for Upendra-Prabhudeva starrer". The Music Magazine. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  16. ↑ "Film Review: Marathi Tigers". Pune Mirror. 5 February 2016.
  17. ↑ "Marathi Tigers Movie Review Zee Talkies latest Movie Reviews online at ZeeTalkies.com". zeetalkies.com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  18. ↑ "H2O HYPE AND HOOPLA". Chitraloka. Archived from the original on 2 August 2001. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  19. ↑ "No to 'Kaveri' in Malaysia?". Yahoo Movies. 21 October 2002. Archived from the original on 14 January 2003. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  20. ↑ "H2O". Sify. Archived from the original on 21 January 2005. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  21. ↑ "H2O". Indiainfo.com. Archived from the original on 9 June 2002.
  22. ↑ Mannath, Malini (27 October 2002). "Kaveri". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 25 February 2003. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "H2O Director Rajaram Interview". Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "P Vasu Interview". Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  25. ↑ Lakshminarayana, Shruti Indira (7 July 2011). "Two Kannada films will fight it out this weekend". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  26. ↑ "Behind the curtains". The Hindu. 2 September 2004. Archived from the original on 12 November 2004. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "H2O – Kannada film discussion". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  28. ↑ "Title unknown". dhoperchop.com. Archived from the original on 17 June 2010. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  29. ↑ "H2O travails continue for Dhanraj". The Hindu. 28 May 2002. Archived from the original on 5 July 2004. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  30. ↑ Upendra explains that H2O was a decent hit. Archived from the original on 14 April 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2012 – via YouTube.

External links[edit | edit source]

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