Upadhyaksha

Upadhyaksha (transl. Vice President) is a 2024 Kannada-language comedy drama film directed by Anil Kumar and produced by Smitha Umapathy. It stars Chikkanna in his debut lead role.^[3] The rest of the cast includes Malaika Vasupal, P. Ravishankar, Sadhu Kokila, Veena Sundar and Dharmanna Kadur. The film is a sequel to Adyaksha (2014) starring Sharan in the lead role.^[4]

Upadhyaksha
Directed by	Anil Kumar
Story by	Anil Kumar
Produced by	Smitha Umapathy
Starring	Chikkanna
Cinematography	Shekhar Chandra
Edited by	K M Prakash
Music by	Arjun Janya
Production companies	DN Cinemas Umapathy Films
Distributed by	Umapathy Films
Release date	26 January 2024 (2024-01-26) ^[1]
Country	India
Language	Kannada
Box office	₹ 5.27 crores^[2]

Upadhyaksha was theatrically released in India on 26 January 2024, coinciding the Indian Republic Day, and received positive reviews from critics.

Premise

The film is about a villager, Narayana, who is the vice president of "Chi-Thu" sangha and refuses to get promoted to the president place because of his affection towards the current president. He is at loggerheads with Shiva Rudregowda, the village head. The story revolves around events unfolding in Gejjepura village in Mandya district when Shivarudregowda's youngest daughter Anjali falls in love with Narayana, who has to work as a slave in her house in lieu of loan taken by his father.

Cast

• Chikkanna as Narayana
• Malaika Vasupal as Anjali
• P. Ravishankar as Shiva Rudregowda
• Sadhu Kokila
• Veena Sundar
• Kari Subbu
• Dharmanna Kadur
• Keerthiraj
• Sharan as Adhyaksha Chandrashekar Gowda(Cameo appearance)

Production

Filming

The principal photography of film went on floors on 17 July 2022 in Mandya^[5] followed by an extensive shoot in Mysore and scheduled to release in February 2023.^[6] However it was pushed to January 2024 later.^[7]

Marketing

The film's first look and trailer was released by actor Shivarajkumar^[8]

Music

The music of the film is composed by Arjun Janya. The first single titled "Nanage Neenu" was released in November 2023.^[9]

Track list

No.	Title	Lyrics	Singer(s)	Length
1.	"Nanage Neenu"	A. P. Arjun	Vijay Prakash, Rakshita Suresh	3:52
2.	"Hattri Nandu Super Scooter"	Chethan Kumar	Chikkanna, Shivani Naveen	4:15
3.	"Upadhyaksha Title Track"	Chethan Kumar	Vyasaraj Sosale

Release

Theatrical

Upadhyaksha was theatrically released in India on 26 January 2024, coinciding the Indian Republic Day, and received positive reviews from critics.

Home Media

The movie digital right was acquired by Sun NXT and started premiered on 8th march 2024.The movie satellite rights was acquired by Udaya TV.

Reception

Critical response

Vinay Lokesh of The Times of India gave 3/5 stars and praised Chikkanna's performance saying "Chikkanna stands out in his performance as Narayana in his first film as a lead. He sticks to his strengths which are comedy, one-liners and humorous conversation, which he manages to deliver by making the audience laugh their heart out"^[10] Sujay B. M. of Deccan Herald gave 3/5 stars and wrote "The film's biggest selling point is its organic connection to its prequel. A few flashback scenes bolster that link. The punchlines by Chandra Mohan infuse slapstick comedy, with Sadhu Kokila's comic presence and exaggerations entertaining the audience further"^[11]

A. Sharadhaa of The New Indian Express gave 3/5 stars and wrote "While labeled as a sequel, Upadhyaksha successfully maintains the essence of the original while carving its unique identity."^[12] Shashiprasad of South First gave 3/5 stars and wrote "The biggest takeaway is the narration of the characters, which is a continuation of the original script. There is no exaggeration, excessive heroism or unwanted scenes that can easily put one off when making the shift as the lead actor."^[13]

References

1. "Chikkanna's Upadhyaksha to hit theatres on Republic Day". The New Indian Express. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
2. Kotagunasi, Manjunath B. "ಸ್ಟಾರ್‌ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ರೇಂಜ್‌ನಲ್ಲಿ ಕಲೆಕ್ಷನ್‌ ಮಾಡ್ತಿದೆ ಚಿಕ್ಕಣ್ಣನ 'ಉಪಾಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ' ಚಿತ್ರ; 3 ದಿನದಲ್ಲಿ ಬೊಕ್ಕಸಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂತು ಕೋಟಿ ಕೋಟಿ!". Kannada Hindustan Times (in Kannada). Retrieved 1 February 2024.
3. "It was the right platform for Chikkanna to turn hero: Director Anil Kumar". The Times of India. 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
4. "Chikkanna's 'Upadhyaksha' is a sequel to 'Adhyaksha'". Kannada Screens.com. 17 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
5. "Chikkanna's Upadhyaksha goes on floors". The New Indian Express. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
6. "Chikkanna's 'Upadhyaksha' to release in February 2023". The Times of India. 28 December 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
7. "Chikkanna's Upadhyaksha to hit theatres on Republic Day". Cinema Express. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
8. "Upadhyaksha Trailer: ಹಾಸ್ಯ ನಟನಿಂದ, ನಾಯಕನವರೆಗೆ.. ಚಿಕ್ಕಣ್ಣನ ಚೊಚ್ಚಲ 'ಉಪಾಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ' ಚಿತ್ರದ ಟ್ರೇಲರ್‌ ರಿಲೀಸ್‌ ಮಾಡಿ ಹರಸಿದ ಶಿವಣ್ಣ". Hindustan Times (in Kannada). Retrieved 15 January 2024.
9. "nanage-neenu-song-from-chikkanna-starrer-upadhyaksha-is-the-new-love-anthem". News18.com. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
10. "Upadhyaksha Movie Review : Upadhyaksha: Chikkanna steals the show in his debut flick as the hero". The Times of India.
11. "Upadhyaksha movie review: Not as dazzling but the deputy doesn't disappoint". Deccan Herald.
12. "'Upadhyaksha' review: Chikkanna shines in laughter galore". The New Indian Express. 27 January 2024.
13. "Upadhyaksha review: Chikkanna's escapades as Chi. Thu Sangha's vice-chairman makes you laugh naturally". South First. 26 January 2024.

External links

• Upadhyaksha at IMDb  
• [1]