Upendra: I missed out on the chance to direct Puneeth, but I will reunite with Shivanna soon

Kannada audiences love Upendra the actor, but there’s no denying that they like him as director even more. Even though he’s been more prolific as an actor for a while, audiences still fondly remember his directorials, whether it is Tharle Nan Maga, Om, A, Upendra, etc., and his next, UI is eagerly awaited. Amid this, Upendra also has a film up for release, Kabzaa, in which he is the leading man, which also has his Om actor Shivarajkumar in a pivotal cameo.

Both the actors were at the Kabzaa audio launch event in director R Chandru’s home town of Sidlaghatta last evening, where the lyrical video of the dance number Chum Chum Chali, was released. The song, which features Upendra and Tanya Hope, is a special number, with the makers only revealing a fleeting glimpse of its hook step. The highlight of the event, though, was having the Om team on stage together, and the question on everyone’s mind was if they would collaborate again.

According to Upendra, they will and it may happen soon because he’s found a producer too – Geetha Shivarajkumar. Speaking at the event, Upendra said, “I was supposed to do a film with Puneeth Rajkumar, but I missed out on that opportunity. I will, most definitely, work with Shivanna, and Geetha Akka will back it.” The Real Star was alluding to the fact that Shivarajkumar’s wife had turned producer with his last release, Vedha. After he said this, social media was abuzz with speculation that Upendra will do a sequel to Om, given the film’s cult classic status.

Kabzaa, meanwhile, is headed to theatres on March 17, which is the late Puneeth’s birth anniversary. Chandru has been tight-lipped about Shivanna’s role in the film, which also has Kiccha Sudeep in a pivotal cameo.