Recently, we saw the rerelease of Darshan's Shastri and Kariya, Puneeth Rajkumar’s Jackie, and other popular titles like Anjani Putra and Power Star. Following the successful rerelease of Upendra's other cult hit A, the actor-director is now set to return to theatres with his 1999 film Upendra. Fans are eager to relive this bold and unconventional film, which, like A, holds a special place in Kannada film history. Now considered a classic, Upendra, directed by and starring Real Star Upendra, was originally released on October 22, 1999. Now, as it marks its 25th anniversary, its re-release on September 18 serves as a fitting tribute to one of Kannada cinema's mulitifaceted personalities, perfectly timed with Upendra’s birthday.
Upendra, a psychological thriller, explores complex themes such as wealth, responsibility, and love through Upendra's unique and daring storytelling. While the film faced some criticism for its bold content at the time, it captivated younger audiences and became a box office success. The narrative, combined with Upendra’s distinct direction, solidified its place as a classic in Kannada cinema.
This was only the second film where Upendra took on a full-fledged lead role. The film also stars Raveena Tandon, Prema, and Damini in key roles, with Marimuthu playing the antagonist. Produced by Shilpa Srinivas and music was scored by Gurukiran.