Last week's releases: Sudeep, Upendra starrer Mukunda Murari and Yash starrer Santhu Straight Forward had created lot of curiosity not only in the film industry circles but also with the audience.

There was lot of expectations for both the movies and both movies are doing very good collections at the box office. According to Gandhinagar trade pundits Mukunda Murari will collect around 10 crores share to the producers and Santhu Straight Forward will collect around Rs 12 crores to producer in the first week. They said releasing both the star movies on the same day was both an advantage and also a disadvantage. The advantage is that almost all screens in Karnataka are screening Kannada films. The disadvantage is that with the clash of the big producers each producer may lose around Rs 2-3 crores in the first week. Each of these films would have collected an additional Rs 2 crore each if released solo.

Speaking to Chitraloka Santhu producer K Manju said he is very happy with the response for the movie. "Distributor Jayanna said this movie may not do the collections what we had got from Masterpiece in the first week, but definitely it will cross more than Rs 10 crores in the first week," he said.

Mukunda Murari BKT distributor Jack Manju told Mukunda is doing very well. The reports coming is very good. It will pick up in the second week since family audience are turning towards the theaters.

Real star Upendra who is one among the star actors in Sandalwood who put an end to lavish birthday celebration, has yet again requested his die-hard fans to not spend their hard earned money on cakes, garlands and others such expenditures to mark his birthday which is on September 18.

Instead, the Superstar has requested his fans if they instead of gifting him something on his birthday which he refers to as 'Abhimanigala Dina', to get saplings. He goes onto to add that he assures of taking care of the saplings gifted to him.

His film 'I Love You' directed by R Chandra recently marked 100 days at the box office. The duo have announce other venture titled 'Kabza', which will be released in seven languages - Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, Bengali and Marati.

Everyone in Sandalwood is surprised that Ganesh's new film Buguri is clashing with Upendra's Uppi2 which is one of the most anticipated films of the year in Kannada. Both films have announed to be released on August 14. But sourcses say the Buguri team did not expect Uppi2 to be released in August and was in the hope that Upendra would release the film on his birthday in September. But it came as a surprise to them when the film was even censored a few days ago. The August 14 release became official.

But by then Burugui's release plan had also been finalised. However now the team is facing a crunch of theatres. Most single screens have been booked for Uppi2 and Buguri is not finding enough theatres. If the release plans go ahead it would be one of the rare clashes between to stars in Sandalwood.

After the success of 'I Love You', R Chandru is all set to direct Upendra again in a new film. This time the film will be released in seven languages simultaneously. Chandru is planning to make the film in Kannada and release it in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali and Marathi languages.

During the release of 'I Love You' itself, Chandru had announced that he will be directing a film for Upendra once again. This is their third film after 'Bramha' and 'I Love You'. Now Chandru is busy scripting the film and will be announcing the film shortly.

Chandru plans to reveal the title of the film on the 14th of September, which marks the 100 day function of 'I Love You'. R Chandru has organised a grand event to mark the 100 days of the film and during the event, Chandru plans to unveil the title of his new film.

After the success of 'I Love You', R Chandru is all set to direct Upendra again in a new film. The title of the film has been unveiled during the 100 days function of 'I Love You' and the film has been titled as 'Kabza'.

This time the film will be released in 7 languages simultaneously. Chandru is planning to make the film in Kannada and release it in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali and Marathi languages.

This is Chandru and Upendra's third outing after 'Bramha' and 'I Love You'. Chandru has chosen an underworld subject this time and will be telling a story about the modern underworld.

More details about the film are yet to follow.

The final schedule of R Chandru's new film 'Kabzaa'  is all set to start from mid-July. Meanwhile, a combo poster of Upendra and Sudeep was released on Sunday morning at 6 AM on social media.

Earlier, Chandru had released the poster of Upendra on various occasions. However, last year Sudeep made an entry portraying the role of Bhargav Bakshi in the film. The sketch of Sudeep was released last year. Now, the combo poster of both Upendra and Sudeep was released on Sunday.

The shooting for 'Kabzaa' started in February this year and Chandru shot major portions of the film in specially erected sets in Minerva Mill in Bangalore. The shooting for the film would have been completed by now, if not for the lockdown. Now that the permission for shooting has been given, Chandru plans to shoot the remaining portions soon. The film will not only be shot in Bangalore, but also in Mumbai and northern parts of India.

'Kabzaa' stars Upendra, Anoop Revanna, Jagapathi Babu, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Rahul Dev and others in prominent roles in the film. The heroine is yet to be finalised for this underworld saga. Ravi Basrur is in charge of the music of the film.

An advocate from Tamil Nadu has filed a complaint in the magistrate court in Coimbatore urging the court to direct filing of a case against Kannada actors Puneeth Rajkumar, Upendra and Darshan. It has been alleged that these three actors provoked Kannada people to riot in the Kaveri water dispute last week by their speeches. The lawyer has requested the court to impose sedition charges against the Kannada actors. Sedition charges under Indian Penal Code is a controversial topic in India.

The complaint was filed before the court by P Elangovan, president of Tamil Desiya Peravai. He has claimed that the Kannada actors provoked Kannadigas to riot and cause harm to Tamilians in Karnataka.

IPC Section 124 (A) says: "Sedition — Whoever, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the Government established by law in India, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which fine may be added, or with fine."

Hundreds of fans of actor Upendra on Wednesday gifted him with saplings and wished him a happy birthday.

Upendra has been celebrating his birthday with his fans on September 18th every year in a grand style. This year the actor has requested his fans to not to bring garlands or cakes, instead has requested them to bring saplings as birthday gifts. Upendra has also said that he will plant it and raise them.

Likewise, hundreds of Upendra's fans who visited his residence in Bangalore gifted him with various saplings. Upendra posed to photographs with many fans who had come with saplings.

Actress Haripriya has been selected as the heroine of Upendra's new film to be directed by Shashank. The film is all set to be launched on the 22nd of April.

Shashank has been talking about directing Upendra in a new film for the past three years. Last year, a film was launched in Bangalore with Upendra as the protagonist and Nishivika Naidu and Rukmini Vasanth as the heroines. However, the film was shelved due to various reasons and now Shashank is back with a new story for Upendra.

The untitled film stars Upendra, Haripriya, Devaraj, Rangayana Raghu, Achyuth Kumar and others in prominent roles and is touted to be as family entertainer. Shekhar Chandru is the cameraman, while Arjun Janya is the music director. The shooting for the film will start once Upendra completes the second schedule of R Chandru's 'Kabza'.

The beautifully talented actress Hariprriya is on a high with both box office success and recognition with awards for her onscreen performances. Continuing her successful saga, the actress has bagged another promising project and this time she is going to feature in it for the first along with Real Star Upendra.

Director K Madesh who last directed Raj Vishnu returns with his brand new project starring Upendra and Hariprriya in the lead. 

"The film is not yet titled and it is going to revolve around the prevailing corrupt system in our society. I have penned the story along with the screenplay for it," said Madesh the director.

Insofar as his previous project titled 'Uppi Ruppi' which never took off, the director clarifies that it has nothing to do with his latest one, as it is a complete new film, he wraps up.

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ಉಪ್ಪಿ ಜೊತೆ ಹರಿಪ್ರಿಯಾ

The eagerly expected Kannada film ‘Hollywood’ an opulently made film with a budget of Rs.7 crore is not as expected. There are exotic locations – a real feast to the eyes. There is Melkote Seenu (a Monkey) and three Upendras plus Ananthnag. The redeeming features of this film are very little. Director Dinesh Baboo easily takes the viewers for granted. He has not answered a few questions he puts on the big screen. What happened to the safety locker 164 that contained the chip? How did robot Upendra managed to function after just throwing the chip?

It is a lavishly made film no doubt. The presence of an expensive producer the brilliant Upendra and stylish cum thinker Dinesh Baboo could have given something more than what is done in ‘Hollywood’.

The script done by Upendra has got no earthshaking element in it. One Upendra is timid. He wants to win his lover. Another Upendra is fire in his attitude. He wants to produce a film in ‘Hollywood’ and get an Oscar. The heroine is behind this director Upendra. The timid Upendra in order to win the heart of his lover ask for the help of his boss. The boss immediately makes a robot Upendra. And the confusion starts. By the time everything is sorted with heroine Felicity the robot Upendra fights against goons and go in to pieces on earth when he comes in to contact with electricity. In between there is a monkey that is studying all the developments and the voice over for it (done by Ramesh Bhat) is only laughing element in the film.

There are all faces of Upendra. How does he look like in various mental make -up? Felicity is a mismatch. The photography is a classic part of this film. Ananthnag looks very funny. Pass marks to Melkote Seenu alias Lakshmi a monkey hired from Chennai. Remaining marks to actor Ramesh Bhat for matching the voice to monkey.

Mr Ramu the proud producer of Kannada filmdom – you have given a lavish film without working on the script and scintillating elements.

One of the most ambitious multilingual project in Kannada, which is being made in seven different languages - Kabza returns for its second schedule shooting.

Director R Chandru shared that the Kabza's second schedule shoot started from Monday with huge sets been erected for the project. Calling it as a new version of the underworld, the film featuring Real Star Upendra being made in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, Oriya and Marathi.

What happens when an acclaimed filmmaker and real star actor Upendra comes back together for the second time with director R Chandru after a gap of almost four years? Well, the deadly combination is sure going to the make the audience fall in love. As the director R Chandru is all set to reveal the first look of Real Star Upendra from his latest sensation - ‘I Love U’, he reveals that the quality of the content with Uppi’s trademark philosophical touch will be the biggest surprise for all.

“We wanted to reveal the first look on Upendra sir's birthday but due to some technical issues, it got delayed. It was a challenge for me to convey the story and the real intent of the movie in a single poster while revealing Uppi’s look in it,” says the director R Chandru, adding that the pattern of 'A’ and ‘Upendra’ will meet my signature style of making from the films like Taj Mahal and Charminar, for I Love U.

As the film is scheduled for release in December, the director wraps it up saying that it is going to be a pakka family entertainer while the college students would simply love Uppi’s new avatar where his philosophy and my content meets for a magical experience.

Superstar Upendra, Dimple Queen Rachita Ram starrer I Love You movie Producer and Directed by R Chandru has been censored with U/A Certificate and will be releasing soon. 

Speaking to chitraloka R Chandru said we will fix the release date once Upendra is back from America. We are planning to release this month and Telugu version is also getting ready.

Interestingly I Love You is R Chandru 11 th directional movie and except Tajmahal and Charminar all his other movies have been censored with U/A certificate

I Love You, the new film starting Upendra and directed by R Chandru is one of the most expected films this year. The first look motion poster of the film was expected to be released tomorrow on Upendra's birthday.

But it looks like the September 18 deadline may be missed. Two posters of the film were released last week to tremendous response from fans. So there was more curiosity about the motion poster. Sources said that the motion poster may be delayed by up to a week.

Some technical difficulties in the preparation is said to be the problem. R Chandru says he does not want to disappoint fans and try to release the motion poster as early as possible. This is the only new film Upendra has signed after joining politics. So his fans have very high hopes on I Love You.

Actor Upendra's new film for producer T R Chandrashekhar of Crystal Park Cinemas is all set to be launched soon. Meanwhile, a poster of the film has been released, asking the audience to guess the title.

The official title of the film will be announced soon. Meanwhile, a poster in the social media is doing rounds asking people to guess the title of the film soon. There is a big question mark in the poster and many people are of the opinion that the title of the film is question mark. Many years ago, Upendra had launched a film with that name. However, the film was shelved due to various reasons.

The new film is being written and directed by Maurya. Gurukiran is the music director, while Bharath Parashuram is the cinematographer.

'Kichcha' Sudeep acting in R Chandru's new venture 'Kabzaa' is not new. The sketch poster of the actor has been released on Thursday and Sudeep is said to play the role of Bhargav Bakshi in the film.

Well, the name of Sudeep's character in the film might have been revealed. But the character he is playing is yet to be revealed. Is he a  protagonist or antagonist is a matter of secrecy and director-producer R Chandru says that it is too early to talk about the role of Sudeep and his character will be a major twist to the story.

Meanwhile, R Chandru plans to start the shooting of 'Kabzaa' from February. Chandru had completed 40 percent of the shooting before lockdown and had planned to release the film earlier this year. However, the film got delayed due to lockdown and  the team intends to complete the shoot by the first half of this year.

'Kabzaa' stars Upendra, Anoop Revanna, Rahul Dev and others in prominent roles in the film. The heroine is yet to be finalised for this underworld saga. Ravi Basrur is in charge of the music of the film.

The Assembly elections in Karnataka have already stated so to say. Yesterday BJP president Amit Shah was in Bengaluru giving lessons to Karnataka BJP leaders. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was in Raichur addressing a rally. Upendra announced his political party which may be named Prajakarana. Upendra has announced that his party will contest all 224 Assembly constituencies. He has asked for feedback from people. In comparison the JDS has already finalized the candidates for all seats. So is Upendra late for 2018? On the first look it seems so. 

Will Upendra and his party identify the problems he wants to solve. Will he find the political stand on issues he wants to address? Will he find candidates for the constituencies? Will he even come up with a manifesto? There are no answers as yet for some of the basic things like a party name. It is so far an one man show. No big personality from any field, not even Sandalwood has come forward in his support. It is only his hardcore fans who are supporting him online now. Will they out when he calls them is the question. As of now there are more questions than answers. Hope Upendra has answers and some aces up his sleeves.

Uppi 2 has encountered its second controversy in two weeks. The most ambitious film of Upendra in 15 years was first alleged for copying someone's story. But after legal action was contemplated the allegations stopped. But the new controversy is about a song written and sung by Upendra.

The album was launched on Friday evening. On Sunday morning Jaggesh commented about a particular song without naming the film or Upendra. But fans online were quick to make the connection. While some supported Jaggesh's comments, others were not amused. Though their association is old and started with Upendra turning director with Tarle Nan Maga, the relationship has not always been cordial.

As of now there is a storm brewing online about Jaggesh's comment. Even outside fans of few other actors are not very happy. The lines in the song are being seen as pointing fingers at Shivarajkumar, Yash and others.

Ironically the song is about leg pulling! It was meant to be that. As of now no other actor has taken exception and things May cool down. An unwanted controversy is the last thing Sandalwood needs.

Film: Kabzaa

Director: R Chandru

Cast: Upendra, Sudeep, Shiva Rajkumar, Shriya Saran, Anoop Revanna, Murali Sharma, Nawab Shah, Ninasam Ashwath, 

Duration: 136 minutes

Certificate: UA

S Shyam Prasad

The birth of a new saga

Rather than trying to be stand-alone classics, every film today wants to be a franchise, a cinematic universe of its own; a saga that can be reinvented repeatedly. Kabzaa can only be accused of following the inevitable march of the entire film industry towards such an eventuality. The comparison R Chandru’s Kabzaa has drawn with the KGF franchise is well-founded. At the end of this new film, I was left with the same feeling that came after watching Chapter 1 of KGF. Kabzaa is a two hour long trailer for what is to come in Kabzaa 2! It sets the stage for a bigger action carnival, a coming together of top stars of Sandalwood to entertain fans at all costs.

Kabzaa does not pretend to be anything else than an underworld action spectacle inspired by the pan-India culture sweeping the film industries all over the country. Grand sets, big guns, bigger bombs, a dark theme, sweeping landscapes, CG that blur the distinction between reel and reality, multitude of characters that is hard to keep count of let alone track and a narrative so fast you hardly have time to appreciate or depreciate what happened just a fraction of a second ago are the hallmarks of Kabzaa. It feels like a few hundred hours of footage has been cramped into two hours. And perhaps this is exactly the kind of narrative that can keep the eternally distracted audience away from their mobile phones. Take your eyes off the screen for just a second and you would have missed half a dozen shots.

As for the story, there is so much said and also much more unsaid. A queen mother escapes from a small principality in north India to the south with her two sons as her husband is murdered. One of her sons is destined to become an underworld don. One stunning fight sequence is followed by the other with just enough time in between for a one-liner. The emotions and glamour are treated with utmost disdain as it is the next visually stunning treat that is more important. Kabzaa is a vaudevillian act and storytelling technique where visual magic engulfs everything else, including the tale.

R Chandru has outdone himself in every department. It is impossible to conceive that Kabzaa came out of his imagination. He deserves to be appreciated for coming out of his comfort zone and trying to create something on such a grand scale. It is a rough-cut diamond no doubt but he has shown the determination to seek out a vision. If imitation is the best form of flattery, he has done ‘his best’ adulation of KGF.

Upendra, as Arakeshwara, the reluctant underworld don had his task cut out and does what Chandru has told him to do. Sudeep plays a small but fan-favourite role. He is only the narrator in what is revealed in the end as the first episode of a franchise. Shiva Rajkumar, appearing only in the last scene sets the tone for Kabzaa 2. The hundreds of other characters which appear are mere footnotes in the huge canvas the director splashes with dark colours.

Kabzaa is a film made for the big screen. Watching three big Sandalwood stars faceoff against each other is worth the visit to theatres. This one for Sandalwood.