Exclusive! Real Star Upendra’s next directorial to take off in May

There’s been a lot of excitement surrounding Real Star Upendra’s latest directorial. It is a film that comes seven years after his last, Uppi 2. Sharing a very interesting and thought-provoking poster of the film on social media, the actor-filmmaker had written, “iN the film Industry, it is you who created the story Upendra, it is you who wrote the screenplay & dialogues for 33 years, it is you who directed through your whistles and claps. I dedicate this film to you the praja prabhu fans.”

The poster of the film, a pan-Indian project produced by KP Sreekanth and V Manohar, intrigued fans, who analysed every corner of it and concluded that the fact that there are references to technology, religion, civilization, etc., in it, the subject could touch upon the Kalki avatar. Upendra, who has been promoting his next release, Home Minister, is thrilled that the poster, in which even the title has not been clarified, is creating waves and getting people to think and discuss it.

“That’s been the point of all my directorials, to engage viewers and get them to think and react, hopefully, in a positive fashion,” he says, unwilling to elaborate any further on the poster or the film. What he does tell us, though, is that his directorial will be his next project, which should take off as early as May this year. “I am looking at finishing Kabzaa by the end of April. I have a few days’ worth of shoot left for it, which will take place in Hyderabad and Mangaluru. As soon as I am done with Kabzaa, I will start my own film – that is priority now,” says Upendra.

So, what about Lagaam, Buddhivanta 2 and his other acting commitments? “Lagaam is still in very early stages. We had shot one schedule and then the team could not continue for reasons best known to them. Buddhivanta 2 also has a little work pending. Both the teams of Lagaam and Buddhivanta 2 were not able to plan shooting schedules when I was sitting idle at home. Now, they will have to wait for my film to finish or a schedule break that they can utilize,” he reasons.

As for his film with Ram Gopal Varma, Upendra says that it will take off later in the year, as will director Shashank’s proposed movie with him. “Right now, it is all about Upendra the director and actor,” he says.