Upendra’s “A” Film completes 25 years Theatrical Release today January 23 2023, it became not only trend setter & cult classic in Kannada Film Industry but in Indian Film History.

Revisit & key highlights of the film.

After Blockbuster of Upendra Directed “Om” as Director he got too many offers across all languages with Big Stars & Production Houses while as doing “Om” remakes in Telugu , Tamil & Hindi with Dr Rajashekhar which took more time & all other films did not take off for various reasons & “Om” in other languages also did not fare well at the Box Office.

This resulted in like of almost Upendra’s career write off between 1995 mid to 1996 end, but suddenly at the end of year 1996 Publicity ads came with Upendra Directing & also turning hero with film titled “A” shot at Tippu Sultan Fort, City Market , Bengaluru.

Later its Muhurat & Launch was done at Urvashi Theater with unique way in pre shot 2.30 minutes film screening with V.Balaji [ Eshwari Productions N Veeraswamy second son & V Ravichandran Brother ] as anchor mentioning about film & technicians.

Muhurat was graced by Maniratnam , Puneeth Rajkumar , SP Varadaraj , Kashinath & Star Maker who as normal audience brought from near by theater.

Film many key technicians and artistes were first timers or less known faces but post release they all became popular

Upendra as lead hero first time

Chandini heroine who was studying in Mysore University made debut.

HC Venu still photographer turned Cinematographer Debut

Gurukiran as Music Director first time which was initially was to be done by Uppi friend & Associate Director Murali Mohan who later became Director with “Naagarahavvu”

Choreographers Tribhuvan & Chandramohan.

Dr Janardhan aka Agni Divya Dialogues became cult.

Archana & Marina were less known, but post release became hit.

APS College professor Ramdas played Upendra’s father in the film.

Kotte Prabhakar & Michael Madhu characters became sensations.

Editor Shashikumar who previous worked with Uppi in “Om” was again back bone for entire film in telling story with too many twists & turns.

Poster Designer Nagabhsuhan became sensation & star with his unique & novelty Designs.

Many Audio Companies & Film Distributors were not ready to take Audio Rights & Film release but Lahari Music took Audio rights & Yash Raj of Yash Raj Films [ not Yash Chopra ] backed the film who later became Star Film Distributor after the Film Release.

Songs were written by Upendra & GP Rajarathnam one of lyrics from Ratnana Prapancha was used.

SP Balasubramanyam , Upendra , Rajesh Krishnan , LN Shastry & Prathima Rao were singers.

Film some songs & portions were shot at Bekal Fort , Kasargod.

Steady Camera uses in other languages were popular & regular which was also costly to afford or hire and no Out Door Unit in Kannada Film Industry owned that time, many shots were done using steady camera during making of the”A”film which was also witnessed by Puneeth Rajkumar who was that time in charge of Vajreshwari Combines & Poornima Outdoor unit who later understanding & need of steady camera brought own to the industry which later was used extensively in making of Upendra’s Direction “Swastik” with Raghavendra Rajkumar in lead Produced by Vajeshwari Combines.

Film initially had Censor troubles later was cleared by revising committee headed by B.Sarojadevi.

Film completed 100 days in many centers in Karnataka & ran for more than 300 days  in some non Kannada Theaters like Bengaluru’s Ajantha & Cauvery.

Narthaki Theater on KG Road was Main.

During release of “A” film , Uppi as Director was already in shooting “Swastik” with Raghavendra Rajkumar for Vajreshwari Combines as prior commitment which got released immediately after”A” completed 100 days successful run, but audience who watched “Swastik” did not able to accept Raghana in raw look who had image of soft & humor , so film was disaster.

But this impacted with some rift between Upendra & Vajeshwari combines Parvathama Rajkumar who had impression in mind that Uppi intentionally done injustice to the film as Director since he now as hero already became star.

Post Film release conflict in the Film between Heroine & Director was related & gossip to real life between Upendra & Actress Prema among Industry & Media circles which later done as counter film by Praveen Nayak with Prema in lead as “Z” which did not meet its expectations.

Also some political scenes & Chief Minister role portrayed by Journalist RG Vijayasarthy had direct resemblances or references to Ruling Karnataka State Government that time in the minds of all who saw the film.

It was dubbed in Telugu also & became block buster there also.

Film success had inspired many film directors also to turn hero like Shivamani , Omprakash Rao etc but did not succeed.

Many contemporary Film Makers like Shankar, Trivikram, SJ Surya etc have openly admitted inspired by Upendra’s “A”.

…

Ajay KR