Actor-filmmaker Upendra turned a year older on September 18, spending the day outside his residence greeting crowds of fans who had gathered from across the state with massive currency garlands and cakes to mark the occasion.

Like every year, the actor was quick to deflect the attention back onto his followers, reiterating that he sees September 18 as an occasion that belongs entirely to them.

“I don’t call this day my birthday—I call it Fans Day,” Upendra told reporters and supporters gathered at his house. “Growing up, we never had the practice of celebrating birthdays at home. It was only after I came into the cinema industry that fans began reminding me of this date and making it an event.”

To mark the occasion, the actor also shared a career update with the crowd, revealing the first-look poster of his next feature, titled Next Level.

The film brings Upendra together with director Arvind Kaushik, with Tarun Shivappa and Manasa Tarun coming on board to bankroll the project. The poster was formally launched right amid the birthday gathering, with the team confirming that the project is officially rolling.

For the crowd outside his gates, the title reveal gave them an early look at what the Real Star is cooking up next.