A: Film by Upendra 1998

 

A is a pioneering Kannada romantic psychological thriller written, directed by, and starring Upendra in his lead acting debut alongside Chandini. 

 Storyline

* The Narrative Structure: The film utilizes a complex, non-linear reverse screenplay featuring multiple flashbacks within flashbacks, which famously required many audience members to watch the movie multiple times to fully grasp the plot.

* The Core Plot: It follows the tumultuous, unconventional love story between a rogue, rebellious film director named Surya (played by Upendra) and a rising actress (played by Chandini).

* Dark Themes: The movie explores the darker, exploitative underbelly and harsh realities of the film industry, prominently addressing issues like the casting couch.

* The Conflict: After a deeply painful and failed romance with the heroine of his film, the director fades away from the industry, undergoes rehabilitation, discovers a conspiracy behind his downfall, and plots a strategic revenge. 

* Release Date: January 16, 1998

* Box Office Success: It became an instant cult classic and a massive blockbuster, grossing over ₹20 crore.

* Debut Milestones: Marked the acting debuts for both Upendra (as a lead hero) and Chandini, as well as the debut of noted music director Gurukiran.

* Accolades: Upendra won the Udaya Film Award for Best Male Actor (1998) and Gurukiran won the Udaya Film Award for Best Music Director (1998).

* Cultural Impact: Credited with ushering in a wave of bold, experimental, and intellectual cinema in Sandalwood (Kannada cinema) and earned praise from various contemporary filmmakers for its psychological depth and unorthodox narrative style.

Director

Upendra

Writers

Agnidivya

Upendra

Stars

Upendra

Chandini 

Archana

Om - 1995

 

i

Released on May 19, 1995, Om is a cult classic Kannada crime drama directed by Upendra, starring Shiva Rajkumar and Prema. It follows Satya, a priest's son who enters Bangalore's underworld for love. It pioneered the gangster genre in Sandalwood and broke numerous box office records.

It follows Satya, a priest's son who enters Bangalore's underworld for love. It pioneered the gangster genre in Sandalwood and broke numerous box office records.

 Upendra cast real-life Bangalore underworld figures (such as Jedarahalli Krishnappa, Bekkina Kannu Raajendra, Korangu, and Tanveer) to bring authenticity, with some even temporarily bailed out just to shoot their scenes. 

It is widely recognized as the first full-fledged mainstream film in Kannada cinema to explore the criminal underworld and mafia genre. 

For a long time, the movie's satellite and television rights were deliberately withheld or not sold, keeping it strictly a theatrical phenomenon. 

Om holds a legendary record in Indian cinema for being re-released hundreds of times over decades, often filling single-screen theatres in Karnataka whenever new movie releases fail. 

At the 1995–96 Karnataka State Film Awards, the film won Best Actor (Shiva Rajkumar), Best Actress (Prema), Best Screenplay (Upendra), and Best Cinematographer (B.C. Gowrishankar). 

The film inspired the unofficial 1999 Hindi movie Arjun Pandit starring Sunny Deol. 

It paved the way for a whole wave of mafia and rowdy-themed action drama films in the Kannada film industry.