{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}} {{Infobox film | name = Mukunda Murari | image = Mukunda Murari Kannada Film Poster.jpeg | caption = Theatrical release poster | native_name = | director = [[Nanda Kishore]] | producer = M.N.Kumar<br> Jayashreedevi | story = [[Umesh Shukla]] | based_on = ''[[OMG – Oh My God!]]'' <br> "Kanji Virrudh Kanji" | starring = [[Sudeepa]]<br/>[[Upendra (actor)|Upendra]]<br/>[[Ishita Vyas]]<br />[[Nikita Thukral]]<br />[[P. Ravi Shankar]] | music = [[Arjun Janya]] | cinematography = Sudhakar S. Raj | editing = K. M. Prakash | studio = MNK Movies<br>Kichcha Creations <br> Jayashreedevi Productions | released = {{film date|df=yes|2016|10|28}} | runtime = | country = India | language = Kannada | gross = <!--Must be attributed to a reliable published source with an established reputation for fact-checking. No blogs, no IMDb.--> }}
'''''Mukunda Murari''''' is a 2016 Indian [[Kannada|Kannada-language]] devotional [[satire (film and television)|satirical]] [[comedy drama film]] directed by [[Nanda Kishore]]. The film stars [[Sudeep]] in an [[Lord Krishna]] role and [[Upendra (actor)|Upendra]] playing the role of [[atheist]], teaming up for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/Sudeep-and-Uppi-now-Mukunda-Murari/2016/01/27/article3246442.ece|title=Sudeep and Uppi now Mukunda Murari|publisher=The New Indian Express|date=27 January 2016|access-date=1 September 2016|archive-date=29 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929185746/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/Sudeep-and-Uppi-now-Mukunda-Murari/2016/01/27/article3246442.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref> The film, a remake of [[Bollywood|Hindi]] film ''[[OMG - Oh My God!]]'' (2012),<ref>{{cite web|last=Karthik|first=Janani|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/oh-my-god-becomes-mukunda-murari-kannada-sudeep-upendra-starrer-takes-off-666580|title=Oh My God' becomes 'Mukunda Murari' in Kannada; Sudeep, Upendra-starrer takes off|publisher=[[IB Times]]|date=11 February 2016|accessdate= 1 September 2016}}</ref> which in turn was based on a [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] stage play ''Kanji Virrudh Kanji'', is produced by M.N. Kumar along with B. Jayashree Devi. The rest of the cast includes [[Nikita Thukral]], [[Ishita Vyas]], Kaavya Shah, [[P. Ravishankar]], [[Avinash Yelandur|Avinash]] among others. The film has cinematography by Sudhakar S. Raj. The soundtrack and film score are composed by [[Arjun Janya]].
The film released in over 250 screens on 28 October 2016<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/mukunda-murari-box-office-collection-sudeep-upendra-starrer-grosses-over-rs-10-crore-first-week-702655|title=Mukunda Murari box office collection: Sudeep, Upendra-starrer grosses over Rs 10 crore in first week|date=5 November 2016}}</ref> and ran for 50 days in theatres.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chitraloka.com/news/14118-mukunda-murari-and-santhu-straight-forward-completes-50-days.html|title=Mukunda Murari And Santhu Straight Forward Completes 50 Days|work=Chitrolka|date=16 December 2016|access-date=8 February 2017|archive-date=26 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126111234/https://www.chitraloka.com/news/14118-mukunda-murari-and-santhu-straight-forward-completes-50-days.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Plot== The film follows the story of an atheist, Mukunda, who sues God after losing his shop in an earthquake. Religious organizations revolt against him, and Murari visits him as his human guide.
Atheist shop owner Mukunda ([[Upendra (actor)|Upendra]]) talks about selling bulk statues of [[Hinduism|Hindu]] gods, and later tricks a devotee from [[Andhra Pradesh]] into buying a statue by claiming it is famous. The lack of respect, as his family sees it, makes his wife sad, and she makes their son write the name of [[Rama]] for at least ten pages. After that, he criticises the practices of his son and wife. On the night of [[Krishna Janmashtami]], he openly mocks a guru named Siddeshwara Swami [[Avinash Yelandur|Avinash]] who was encouraging his son and wife to walk on fire and pierce their tongues with a [[Trishula]]. However, after a dangerous [[earthquake]] in his market in [[Mysore]], his antique shop was destroyed and had many financial liabilities. His in-laws' family had separated his wife and son from him.
==Cast== {{div col|colwidth=22em}} * [[Sudeepa]] as Murari / [[Krishna]] * [[Upendra (actor)|Upendra]] as Mukunda * [[Nikita Thukral]] as Mukunda's wife * [[P. Ravi Shankar]] as Leeladhara Swamy * [[Devaraj]] as a retired advocate * [[Prakash Belawadi]] as advocate * [[Avinash Yelandur|Avinash]] as Siddeshwara Swami * [[Malavika Avinash]] as TV interviewer * [[Ishita Vyas]] as Gopika Mathe * Kaavya Shah as a news reporter * [[Tabla Nani]] as Mukunda's assistant * [[Shivaram]] as Swamiji * [[Kuri Prathap]] as Insurance Company Official * [[Dingri Nagaraj]] * [[Bullet Prakash]] * K. S. Shridhar as priest * Mohan Juneja * [[Rachita Ram]] * [[Bhavana (actress)|Bhavana]] * [[Sathish Ninasam]] * [[Mimicry Dayanand]] * Vasu * Swapna Raj * Kuri Sunil * Rockline Sudhakar {{div col end}}
==Production== ===Development=== In January 2016, it was reported that director [[Nanda Kishore]] was in preparation to remake the hit Bollywood film ''[[OMG - Oh My God!]]'', retaining the basic plot and giving it a native touch. Initially, the film was titled 'Kiccha!! Nee Begane Baaro', 'Brahma Vishnu', 'Sri Krishanrjuna Vijaya', 'Super Star Mattu Bigg Boss' and the makers roped in two of the biggest stars [[Upendra (actor)|Upendra]] and [[Sudeepa]] to reprise the roles played by [[Paresh Rawal]] and [[Akshay Kumar]] respectively in the original version. Later, the title was altered as the makers thought the earlier one was quite a common name. To bring the uniqueness to the title, it was renamed to ''Mukunda Murari''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cineloka.co.in/latest-news/krishna-nee-begane-baaro-is-now-mukunda-murari.html|title='Krishna Nee Begane Baaro' is Now 'Mukunda Murari'|publisher=Cineloka|date=27 January 2016|accessdate=1 September 2016|archive-date=24 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924081805/http://www.cineloka.co.in/latest-news/krishna-nee-begane-baaro-is-now-mukunda-murari.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Casting=== After having roped in Upendra and Sudeepa to play the protagonist roles, the makers were on the search for the female lead and approached actress [[Prema (actress, born 1977)|Prema]], hoping to bring her back to the screen after a long hiatus. Later [[Priyanka Upendra]]'s name was also considered for this role. However, actress [[Nikita Thukral]] was finalized to play the wife role to Upendra.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmibeat.com/kannada/news/2016/nikita-thukral-to-play-wife-of-upendra-in-multistarrer-mukunda-murari-216009.html|title=Nikita Thukral To Play Wife Of Upendra In Multi-Starrer 'Mukunda Murari'|publisher=Filmibeat|date=17 February 2016}}</ref> Further, actresses' names such as [[Ramya Krishnan]], [[Sadha]], and [[Nidhi Subbaiah]] were reported to play key supporting roles. Since none of these actresses were available, [[Ishita Vyas]] and Kaavya Shah were roped in to play those roles. The director went on to cast [[P. Ravi Shankar]] and [[Avinash Yelandur|Avinash]] to play other key roles.
==Soundtrack== {{Infobox album | name = Mukunda Murari | type = Soundtrack | artist = [[Arjun Janya]] | cover = | border = yes | alt = | caption = Soundtrack cover | released = {{Start date|2016|10|16|df=yes}} | recorded = 2016 | venue = | studio = | genre = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]] | length = 17:58 | label = D Beats | language = [[Kannada]] | producer = [[Arjun Janya]] | prev_title = [[Kalpana 2]] | prev_year = 2016 | next_title = [[Hebbuli]] | next_year = 2017 }}
[[Arjun Janya]] had composed the soundtrack and score for the film collaborating with [[Upendra (actor)|Upendra]] for the third time after [[Super Ranga]] (2014), [[Kalpana 2]] (2016) and [[Sudeep]] for fourth time after [[Kempe Gowda (film)|Kempe Gowda]] (2011), [[Varadanayaka]] (2013) and [[Maanikya]] (2014). A total of four songs and one instrumental track were composed by him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chitraloka.com/news/13889-mukunda-murari-audio-release-on-sunday.html|title=Mukunda Murari Audio Release On Sunday|publisher=Chitraloka|date=15 October 2016|access-date=20 October 2016|archive-date=21 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921144422/http://www.chitraloka.com/news/13889-mukunda-murari-audio-release-on-sunday.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The audio was officially released on 16 October 2016 through the D Beats Music label.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://123music.site/mukunda-murari-2016-kannada-songs/|title=Mukunda Murari (2016) Kannada Songs|publisher=Filmibeat|accessdate=5 August 2016|date=29 July 2016}}</ref>
{{track listing | headline = Tracklist | extra_column = Singer(s) | total_length = 17:58 | title1 = Gopala Baa | lyrics1 = [[V. Nagendra Prasad]] | extra1 = [[Vijay Prakash]], [[Palak Muchhal]], [[Chintan Vikas]] | length1 = 3:39 | title2 = Mukunda Murari | lyrics2 = V. Nagendra Prasad | extra2 = [[Shankar Mahadevan]] | length2 = 5:21 | title3 = I Am God God is Great | lyrics3 = [[Yogaraj Bhat]] | extra3 = [[Upendra (actor)|Upendra]] | length3 = 4:00 | title4 = Sri Krishna Flute | lyrics4 = Instrumental | extra4 = Kamlakar (Flute) | length4 = 2:03 | title5 = Mukunda Theme | lyrics5 = Various | extra5 = Various | length5 = 2:45 |note1=|writer1=|note2=|writer2=|note3=|writer3=|note4=|writer4=}}
==Release== The film was released in over 250 screens on 28 October 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/mukunda-murari-box-office-collection-sudeep-upendra-starrer-grosses-over-rs-10-crore-first-week-702655|title=Mukunda Murari box office collection: Sudeep, Upendra-starrer grosses over Rs 10 crore in first week|date=5 November 2016}}</ref>
===Box office=== The film was released on the occasion of [[Diwali|Deepavali]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/mukunda-murari-box-office-collection-sudeep-upendra-starrer-grosses-over-rs-10-crore-first-week-702655|title=Mukunda Murari box office collection: Sudeep, Upendra-starrer grosses over Rs 30 crore in first week|date=5 November 2016}}</ref> The film ran for 50 days in theaters.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chitraloka.com/news/14118-mukunda-murari-and-santhu-straight-forward-completes-50-days.html|title=Mukunda Murari And Santhu Straight Forward Completes 50 Days|work=Chitrolka|date=16 December 2016|access-date=8 February 2017|archive-date=26 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126111234/https://www.chitraloka.com/news/14118-mukunda-murari-and-santhu-straight-forward-completes-50-days.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Awards and nominations==
'''[[IIFA Utsavam]] :-''' * ''Best Villain Kannada'' (2016) - [[P. Ravishankar]] - '''Nominated''' * ''Best Lyricist Kannada'' (2016) - [[V. Nagendra Prasad]] for the song "Neene Raama Neene Shyama" - '''Nominated'''
'''[[64th Filmfare Awards South]] :-''' * ''[[Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Kannada|Best Lyrics - Kannada]]'' (2016) - [[V. Nagendra Prasad]] for the song "Neene Raama Neene Shyama" - '''Nominated''' <ref>Filmfare Awards South 2016: * {{cite web|url=http://www.chitraloka.com/news/14840-which-films-are-there-for-filmfare-nominations.html|title=ಈ ವರ್ಷದ ಫಿಲ್ಮ್ಫೇರ್ ನಾಮಿನೇಷನ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾರ್ಯಾರಿದ್ದಾರೆ?|publisher=chitraloka.com}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards-south-2017/kannada/nominations/best-lyrics|title=NOMINATIONS FOR Filmfare Awards South 2017 - Best Lyrics|publisher=filmfare.com}}</ref> * ''[[Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Kannada|Best Male Playback Singer – Kannada]]'' (2016) - [[Shankar Mahadevan]] for the song "Neene Raama Neene Shyama" - '''Nominated''' <ref>Filmfare Awards South 2016: * {{cite web|url=http://www.chitraloka.com/news/14840-which-films-are-there-for-filmfare-nominations.html|title=ಈ ವರ್ಷದ ಫಿಲ್ಮ್ಫೇರ್ ನಾಮಿನೇಷನ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾರ್ಯಾರಿದ್ದಾರೆ?|publisher=chitraloka.com}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.filmfare.com/awards/filmfare-awards-south-2017/kannada/nominations/best-playback-singer-male|title=NOMINATIONS FOR Filmfare Awards South 2017 - Best Playback Singer (Male)|publisher=filmfare.com}}</ref>
'''[[6th South Indian International Movie Awards]] :-''' * ''Best Actress In A Supporting Role - Kannada'' (2016) - Kaavya Sha - '''Nominated''' (result pending) * ''Best Actor In A Negative Role - Kannada'' (2016) - [[P. Ravishankar]] - '''Nominated''' (result pending) * ''Best Lyricist - Kannada'' (2016) - [[V. Nagendra Prasad]] for the song "Neene Raama Neene Shyama" - '''Nominated''' (result pending) * ''Best Music Director - Kannada'' (2016) - [[Arjun Janya]] - '''Nominated''' (result pending)
==See also== * ''[[OMG - Oh My God!]]'' * ''[[Gopala Gopala (2014 film)|Gopala Gopala]]'' * ''[[The Man Who Sued God]]'' * [[Religious satire]]
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb title|5465216}}
{{Nanda Kishore}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mukunda Murari}} [[Category:2016 Kannada-language films]] [[Category:2016 Indian films]] [[Category:2010s fantasy comedy-drama films]] [[Category:Indian satirical films]] [[Category:Films about lawsuits against God]] [[Category:Indian courtroom films]] [[Category:Indian fantasy comedy-drama films]] [[Category:Indian religious comedy films]] [[Category:Kannada remakes of Hindi films]] [[Category:Films scored by Arjun Janya]] [[Category:Films directed by Nanda Kishore]] [[Category:2016 comedy-drama films]] [[Category:2016 films]] [[Category:Films about Krishna]] [[Category:Hinduism in popular culture]] [[Category:Films with atheism-related themes]] [[Category:Hindu mythology in popular culture]]