25 years back today that is May 19 1995 that a timeless cult classic Kannada Film “Om” was released.
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At that time around year 1994 two films old (“ Tarle naan Maga” & Shh & Operation Antha shooting going on ) young writer / director Upendra gets life time opportunity to direct a film with Shivrajkumar under prestigious Poornima Enterprises [ Vajreshwari Combines ] thru artiste Honnavali Krishna and Still photographer Praveen Nayak who were close to Dr.Rajkumar family.

Upendra who wanted to give his best comes with unusual underworld story to Dr.Rajkumar, S.P.Varadaraj , Smt.Parvatama Rajkumar & Shivrajkumar which was not their regular pattern.

Many times Uppi has recollected this that he was fully prepared with all references and paper cuttings on Oil Mafia and underworld for any clarifications from the family on the subject. Though Dr.Raj family was initially hesitant to produce this subject with the positive feedback of Varadapa & image change over challenging decision taken by Shivana got clearance nod for Uppi to go ahead with the project.

Film technical consisted of by ace cinematographer BC Gowrishankar , Music by Hamsalekha Editing by T.Shashikumar and Actions by Thriller Manju Dialogues by Murali Mohan who also Associate Director and also did a small role.

Songs recording and film shooting started in year end of 1994 in a low key affair during that time Shivrajkumar was busy with many films in hand and was doing on shift basis for home project “Om”. Heroine was chosen as Prema who was just started her career with Shivrajkumar on his other ongoing film “Savya Sachi”.

During shooting process, stills, news and posters to print media not only raised the curiosity with the fans, audiences but draw the attention of other language stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Chiranjeevi etc.

Most shooting took place in Bangalore city  in out door locations which after film released become also talk and iconic like RC College , Hanumanthanagar Subramanya Swamy Temple , Ulsoor Someshwara Temple & surroundings , Actor Sudeeps owned Sarovara Bar & Restaurant , Cubbon Park , Basavanagudi / Bugle Rock areas ,Kurbarahalli Circle,Ashoka Pillar , Highlands Hotel etc and some song and portions in Nandi grama etc.

All Action portions were composed very raw and naturally & attack scene shot in “Sarovara Bar” were Soda / Cool Drinks bottle throwing injured many cast & crew while shooting.

Most Post production formalities completed by March 1995 and was ready to hit screens by April on eve of Dr.Rajkumar’s Birthday. International Audio Label “ Magnasound” released Audio cassettes directly to stores in Apr 95 which consists of 5 songs with all male playback singers out of which two songs sung by legendary Dr.Rajkumar and 3 songs by Manu.

After Audio become instant hit and made further more curious among audience to watch the film.

But after Film released it consists of only 4 songs and soft melody ” Amruthavanthe” sung by Manu was not there even though Fans were eager that may be included after 50 or 100 days but till now 25 years that song not made entry either in Om or any other films.

Till this time neither Upendra or Raj banner nowhere talked about film story or any other news of the film except curious stills and posters with some catchy taglines elaborating OM meaning to subject of the film.

The Big Wall Posters of Shivrajkumar & Prema in Cubbon park attracted all kinds of audiences which now many has to learn as part of promotions and marketing strategies.

During Censor certification film made some shocking negative news of violence glorification from Dr.Raj production house which was all the years making only novel based family entertainers. Later on film passed with U certificate with some minor cuts and had to face one more controversy from some language fanatic for using Sanskrit Symbol letter Om in all publicity titles instead of Kannada.

During all above process Shivrajkumar  other film “Gadibidi Aliya” and much delayed Savya Sachi hit the screens was running and finally with all above controversies overcoming ” Om ” film hit the theaters on May 19 1995.

And film at that time was made under budget of around 60 lakhs costliest film for Dr.Raj banner made pre business of around 2 + crore till then Vajreshwari banner uses to distribute most of their productions themselves all over Karnataka decided to sell film at last movement in many areas for the fancy price it fetched except Hubli areas.

Bangalore area was distributed by regular Telugu film distributor in Karnataka G.Venkatpathy and Mysore area was distributed by HD Kumarswamy who was not into full time politics during that time.

After film release it made sensational and house full all over Karnataka and audience were bowled over and shock to see real life incidents of late Bangalore underworld don Jairaj murder scene as opening scene and first time saw on screen real rowdies of Bangalore Jedarhali Krishnamurthy , Korangu Krishna , Tanveer & Bekani Kanu Rajendra. Then the much awaited Shivrajkumars introduction scene which even till today considered as one of the best hero entry scene in the history of cinema.

Post release audiences were little confused for its complex , reverse screenplay and rawness which later become Upendra Direction films motif but that did not stop audience from theaters.

It also made national level news through its article on India Today and The Week Tabloids.

Film was unstoppable and all the cast and crew were on cloud nine. Apart of some lead know artistes film also got much recongnised for early beginners or first time artistes like Harish Rai, Sadhu Kokila ,Kote Prabhakar, Tumkur Mohan, Vikram Udaykumar etc

Film became biggest grosser of Kannada Film Industry in the year 1995 and considered as Industry Hit and celebrated its 100 days function organized at “Central theater” in Mangalore with Dr.Raj Couple as chief guests and went to sweep major all awards in that year mainly Shivrajkumar & Prema won as best actor and actress and Upendra for screenplay and BC Gowrishankar for Cinematography in Karnataka State film awards 1995  which was held in Madikeri / Coorg.

Ace Cinematographer late BC Gowrishankar used color scheme as “Warm tone” to match with the subject to give rawness feelings which later on got very critical and aesthetic appreciations.

Film was screened at International Film Festival of India [IFFI ] in panorama section under Mainstream [ Commercial ] section also gave huge competition in National Film Awards that year.

And after that it got huge demand for its remake rights in other languages and finally Telugu Hero Dr. Rajashekhar fetched for a record price for all 3 languages remake and convinced Upendra to himself direct in all the 3 languages with retaining certain technicians of kannada Om like Hamsalekha & Thriller Manju and adding Cameraman Sundarnath Suvarana & Editor R. Janardhan as new entry to other languages remake.

Upendra became most sought director in all the languages with Chiranjeevi , Amitabh Bachan Corporation Ltd [ ABCL ] everybody offered him to direct film for them.

And in Karnataka producer Dhanraj Gifted brand new Cielo Car to Upendra as token of advance for him to direct a film for his banner which established Directors Stardom again in Kannada Film Industry after late Puttana Kanagal.

After that all is history for it holding record for its maximum number of re releases which is around 550 plus and finally debuted to satellite telecast and VDC/DVD market in the year 2015.

Now in today’s Streaming / OTT Platform if enters no doubt to break the records also once Theaters re opens after Covid19 & Lockdown ease sure many Single Theaters screen this film to pull back audience that the craze or magic of film “Om”

from memories of one of the die hard fan of Om..
regards
Ajay.K.R

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