Upadhyaksha

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2024}} {{Infobox film | image = Upadhyaksha poster.jpg | alt =  | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Anil Kumar | story = Anil Kumar | producer = Smitha Umapathy | starring = {{Plain list|[[Chikkanna]]|Malaika Vasupal|[[P. Ravishankar]]}} | music = [[Arjun Janya]] | cinematography = Shekhar Chandra | editing = K M Prakash | studio = {{Plain list| *DN Cinemas *Umapathy Films }} | distributor = Umapathy Films | released = {{Film date|df=y|2024|1|26}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chikkanna's Upadhyaksha to hit theatres on Republic Day|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2023/Dec/04/chikkannasupadhyakshato-hit-theatres-on-republic-day-2638412.html|date=28 November 2023|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=4 December 2023}}</ref> | runtime = | country = India | language = Kannada | budget = | gross = {{INR}}8.05–10 crore<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-13 |title=Yuva Box Office Collection: Yuva Rajkumar's Debut Venture Yuva Crosses The 10 Crore Mark at the BoxOffice |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/box-office/kannada/yuva-box-office-collection-yuva-rajkumars-debut-venture-yuva-crosses-the-10-crore-mark-at-the-boxoffice-article-109265540 |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=Times Now |language=en |archive-date=11 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511063333/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/box-office/kannada/yuva-box-office-collection-yuva-rajkumars-debut-venture-yuva-crosses-the-10-crore-mark-at-the-boxoffice-article-109265540 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-08 |title=Kannada Highest Grossing Movies 2024: ಈ ವರ್ಷ ತೆರೆಕಂಡ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಿನಿಮಾಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಅವುಗಳ ಕಲೆಕ್ಷನ್‌ ವಿವರ ಇಲ್ಲಿದೆ |url=https://kannada.timesnownews.com/entertainment/kannada-highest-grossing-movies-2024-sandalwood-films-and-its-collection-photo-gallery-116098981 |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=Times Now Kannada |language=kn}}</ref> }}

'''''Upadhyaksha''''' ({{translation|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 male lead role.<ref>{{Cite news |title=It was the right platform for Chikkanna to turn hero: Director Anil Kumar |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/chikkannas-debut-as-a-hero-in-upadhyaksha-director-anil-kumar/articleshow/107084625.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=The Times of India |date=24 January 2024 |language=en |archive-date=24 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124092112/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/chikkannas-debut-as-a-hero-in-upadhyaksha-director-anil-kumar/articleshow/107084625.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 (actor)|Sharan]] in the lead role.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chikkanna's 'Upadhyaksha' is a sequel to 'Adhyaksha' |url=https://kannadascreens.com/2022/06/17/chikkannas-upadhyaksha-is-a-sequel-to-adhyaksha/ |access-date=2022-06-17 |website=Kannada Screens.com |date=17 June 2022 |language=en |archive-date=24 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124092110/https://kannadascreens.com/2022/06/17/chikkannas-upadhyaksha-is-a-sequel-to-adhyaksha/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

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

==Plot== {{More plot|date=May 2025}} 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 (actor)|Sharan]] as Adhyaksha Chandrashekar Gowda (cameo appearance)

==Production== ===Filming=== The principal photography of film went on floors on 17 July 2022 in [[Mandya]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2022/Jun/16/chikkannas-upadhyaksha-goes-on-floors-2466019.html|title=Chikkanna's Upadhyaksha goes on floors|date=7 May 2023|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=16 June 2022}}</ref> followed by an extensive shoot in [[Mysore]] and scheduled to release in February 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/chikkannas-upadhyaksha-to-release-in-february-2023/articleshow/96565408.cms?from=mdr|title=Chikkanna's 'Upadhyaksha' to release in February 2023|date=28 December 2022|work=The Times of India|access-date=28 December 2023|archive-date=24 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124092113/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/chikkannas-upadhyaksha-to-release-in-february-2023/articleshow/96565408.cms?from=mdr|url-status=live}}</ref> However it was pushed to January 2024 later.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chikkanna's Upadhyaksha to hit theatres on Republic Day |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2023/dec/04/chikkannas-upadhyaksha-to-hit-theatres-on-republic-day-50107.html |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=[[Cinema Express]] |date=4 December 2023 |language=en |archive-date=12 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212102347/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/kannada/news/2023/dec/04/chikkannas-upadhyaksha-to-hit-theatres-on-republic-day-50107.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Music== The music of the film is composed by [[Arjun Janya]]. The first single titled "Nanage Neenu" was released in November 2023.<ref>{{cite news|title=nanage-neenu-song-from-chikkanna-starrer-upadhyaksha-is-the-new-love-anthem|url=https://www.news18.com/movies/nanage-neenu-song-from-chikkanna-starrer-upadhyaksha-is-the-new-love-anthem-8645311.html|access-date=3 November 2023|work=News18.com|archive-date=3 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103023552/https://www.news18.com/movies/nanage-neenu-song-from-chikkanna-starrer-upadhyaksha-is-the-new-love-anthem-8645311.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Track listing | headline = Track list | extra_column = Singer(s) | title1 = Nanage Neenu | lyrics1 = [[A. P. Arjun]] | extra1 = [[Vijay Prakash]], [[Rakshita Suresh]] | length1 = 3:52 | title2 = Hattri Nandu Super Scooter | lyrics2 = [[Chethan Kumar]] | extra2 = [[Chikkanna]], Shivani Naveen | length2 = 4:15 | title3 = Upadhyaksha Title Track | lyrics3 = Chethan Kumar | extra3 = 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"<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/upadhyaksha/movie-review/107166941.cms|title=Upadhyaksha Movie Review : Upadhyaksha: Chikkanna steals the show in his debut flick as the hero|website=The Times of India|access-date=1 February 2024|archive-date=1 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201110608/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/upadhyaksha/movie-review/107166941.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> 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"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/not-as-dazzling-but-the-deputy-doesn-t-disappoint-2866829|title=Upadhyaksha movie review: Not as dazzling but the deputy doesn't disappoint|website=Deccan Herald|access-date=1 February 2024|archive-date=1 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201105454/https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/not-as-dazzling-but-the-deputy-doesn-t-disappoint-2866829|url-status=live}}</ref>

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."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2024/Jan/27/chikkanna-as-upadhyaksha-shines-in-laughter-galore|title='Upadhyaksha' review: Chikkanna shines in laughter galore|website=The New Indian Express|date=27 January 2024|access-date=1 February 2024|archive-date=1 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201105454/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2024/Jan/27/chikkanna-as-upadhyaksha-shines-in-laughter-galore|url-status=live}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/upadhyaksha-movie-review/|title=Upadhyaksha review: Chikkanna's escapades as Chi. Thu Sangha's vice-chairman makes you laugh naturally|website=South First|date=26 January 2024|access-date=1 February 2024|archive-date=1 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201105454/https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/upadhyaksha-movie-review/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{IMDb title}}

[[Category:2024 films]] [[Category:2024 Kannada-language films]] [[Category:Indian sequel films]] [[Category:Indian comedy-drama films]] [[Category:2024 Indian films]] {{Improve categories|date=November 2024}}