Whenever Upendra announces the direction of a film, the hype and hoopla increase exponentially. UI is the latest venture from the actor, producer, director, and writer. Coming after nine years, it is a grand feast for his massive fanbase spread across the globe.
What is UI? It is left to one’s interpretation. Various speakers at the grand pre-release event of UI at JW Marriott shared their observations, but the true meaning will only be revealed on December 20, when the film is set to release. Notably, bookings for UI are full wherever they have opened. Fans have even more reason to rejoice, as the producers, exhibitors, and distributors have chosen not to hike ticket prices despite the film’s whopping budget. This big-budget cinema is backed by Lahari Productions’ Manohar Naidu and K.P. Srikanth.
The pre-release event of the much-awaited film UI, produced by G. Manoharan and K.P. Srikanth, directed by and starring Upendra, was recently held in a grand manner. Karunad Chakravarthy Shivarajkumar, Duniya Vijay, Daali Dhananjaya, Priyanka Upendra, producers Uday K. Mehta, Ramesh Reddy, Karthik Gowda, Yogi G. Raj, Jagadish, and directors Pawan Wodeyar, Dr. Suri, Kushal of Veeresh Cinema, along with other dignitaries, participated in the event and wished UI great success.
“I remember watching the premiere of the film Shh at Pallavi Cinema. Later, during the shooting of Om, after seeing Upendra’s career growth, I predicted he would become one of the greatest directors in Indian cinema. Since then, I have had a special fondness for him. I am eagerly looking forward to watching UI,” said Shivarajkumar. However, Dr. Shivarajkumar mentioned that he will be in Miami, USA, for medical reasons during the release. He assured everyone he would watch the film in the USA, as it will have a worldwide release. In response, Upendra, his close friend, expressed a desire to join him in the USA to watch the film. Shivarajkumar politely declined, citing his busy schedule after the film’s release.
“We are fans of Upendra’s direction. We grew up watching his films,” said Duniya Vijay and Daali Dhananjaya, expressing their excitement to see UI, a film directed by Upendra after nine long years.
The ever-charismatic actor and director Upendra thanked all the dignitaries, including Shivanna, Vijay, and Dhananjaya, for attending the event and supporting UI. He said, “The reason for starting this film is K.P. Srikanth. This film was produced by Lahari, a company with a 50-year history, and producers Manohar Naidu and Srikanth. Naveen, Lahari Velu, and Nagendra have been instrumental in supporting the production. This is not just my film; it is my team’s film. The reason it has turned out well is because of the cooperation of everyone involved. At this moment, I would like to thank the entire film crew. Our film is releasing on December 20, and I hope everyone watches it.”
Producer K.P. Srikanth and co-producer Naveen expressed their gratitude, saying, “Thank you to all the dignitaries and film crew who have gathered here today. UI is being grandly released as a pan-India film in multiple languages, including Kannada, on December 20. Advance bookings have already started and are nearly full. We are overwhelmed by the support our film has received from the beginning.”
The film’s heroine, Reeshma Nanaiah, along with artists Ravi Shankar, Kakroj Sudhee, Nidhi Subbaiah, Neetu, executive producer Lahari Velu, and distributor Supreeth of KVN Company, also spoke on this occasion.
