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Upendra’s UI review: a dystopian journey of metaphors and self-introspection

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1 year ago

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Upendra's UI film features stunning VFX and metaphors addressing societal issues.

Upendra’s latest directorial venture, UI, released in theatres on December 20, 2024, after a two-year production process. The film marks his return to direction after a nine-year hiatus, his last directorial being the 2015 Kannada hit Uppi 2. Known for his unique narrative style, Upendra’s films have always been a blend of the unconventional and the thought-provoking. Does UI live up to the expectations set by his previous work? Let’s dive into the details.

The story of UI unfolds in an imaginary, dystopian world, bringing together individuals of various castes, creeds, and nationalities. In this one cohesive setting, Upendra addresses universal societal problems, reflecting on the condition of humanity. The film’s narrative is intricate and layered, making it challenging to explain without diving into spoilers. The deeper questions regarding the movie’s message are left to the viewers to interpret—what exactly is Upendra trying to convey with this thought-provoking journey?

As anticipated from Upendra’s directorial work, UI offers a narrative that leaves the audience pondering long after the credits roll. Using metaphors as a tool, the film explores socio-political issues while encouraging self-introspection. While the storytelling and performances may feel a bit old-school, the socio-political commentary and satirical tone add intrigue, keeping the audience engaged throughout. Overall, UI stands as a testament to Upendra’s distinctive style, fitting into his “director’s genre.”

Here is the first look teaser of UI:

The technical aspects of the film play a significant role in elevating its storytelling. The set designs are visually stunning, capturing the diversity of the imagined world. The VFX is seamlessly integrated into the narrative, enhancing the overall cinematic experience. Although some songs may not fully resonate, their lyrics complement the storytelling effectively. One song, in particular—“Cheap Song”—teased in the pre-release promotions—stands out as a memorable addition. The background score, composed by B Ajaneesh Loknath, adds depth and emotion to the film.

Upendra’s performance is the film’s focal point, with him leading the charge and carrying much of the narrative on his shoulders. Reeshma Nanaiah, though having limited screen time, delivers a solid performance. Supporting actors like Ravishankar, Sadhu Kokila, and Achyuth Kumar also fit seamlessly into their roles, though the film places more emphasis on the characters’ symbolic meaning rather than the individual performances.

The metaphorical elements in UI are the strongest aspect of the film. While it is less convoluted than some of Upendra’s previous works such as A and Uppi 2, this simplicity works in its favor. The film communicates its complex messages effectively without overburdening the audience. Upendra has also taken to X, engaging with fans about the movie, eagerly awaiting their interpretations and analysis of the film’s deeper meanings.

With its visual grandeur, UI is undoubtedly a cinematic experience that should be seen on the big screen. However, the film’s rich, message-driven narrative may prompt viewers to return multiple times to truly understand its layers. Produced by G Manohar and KP Shreekanth under the banner of Lahari Films, the film benefits from exceptional VFX work by Naveen Manohar. The music by B Ajaneesh Loknath further elevates the film’s immersive experience.

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Dhurandhar 2 bags massive OTT deal, likely to stream on JioHotstar after IPL 2026

Dhurandhar 2 lands a Rs 155 crore OTT deal with JioHotstar and may release after IPL 2026.

Published

2 weeks ago

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April 20, 2026

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Dhurandhar

The upcoming Bollywood film Dhurandhar 2 has reportedly secured a significant OTT deal, underlining its strong market buzz ahead of release. According to media reports, the film’s digital streaming rights have been acquired by JioHotstar for approximately Rs 155 crore.

The makers are expected to follow a strategic release plan, with the film likely to premiere on the platform after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. JioHotstar also holds digital streaming rights for the tournament, and the post-IPL window is seen as an effort to retain audience engagement.

Reports suggest that the film could arrive on OTT in late May or early June 2026, depending on its theatrical release schedule and run. However, there is no official confirmation yet regarding the exact streaming date.

Industry observers note that the reported deal highlights the growing demand for big-ticket Hindi films among streaming platforms, especially those expected to draw strong audience interest.

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Ramayana teaser unveiled as Ranbir Kapoor appears as Rama in Nitesh Tiwari’s epic film

The teaser of Ramayana has been released, showing Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama. The film will release in two parts in 2026 and 2027.

Published

4 weeks ago

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April 2, 2026

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Ramayana Teaser

The teaser of Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming film Ramayana has been released, offering the first glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor in the role of Lord Rama. The film, which is planned as a two-part cinematic project, is scheduled for a Diwali release later this year.

The teaser shows several key moments, including scenes from the coronation and the exile period in the forest of Panchavati. Ranbir Kapoor appears in the role of Rama with a calm and composed presence. The teaser also briefly shows Yash in the role of Ravan towards the end.

Ahead of the teaser launch, Alia Bhatt shared a video message on social media asking audiences to support the project and Ranbir Kapoor’s work on the film. In the video, she said the “Rama unit” video would be released and encouraged audiences to watch and support the film.

Budget and scale

Producer Namit Malhotra said the film has been in development for six to seven years and is being made on a large scale. According to him, the total budget for both parts is around $500 million, which is over Rs 4,000 crore combined.

He said the film is being made for a global audience and aims to present the epic on a large cinematic scale while remaining efficient in production.

Music collaboration

The film’s music is being composed through a collaboration between AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer. Rahman said working on a project based on such an iconic epic is challenging, as the team wants to present something new while respecting the importance of the story.

Release plan and cast

The film will be released in two parts. The first part is scheduled for a worldwide release in October 2026 ahead of Diwali, while the second part is planned for release during Diwali 2027.

Apart from Ranbir Kapoor, the film also stars Sai Pallavi, Sunny Deol, Ravi Dubey and Yash in important roles.

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Dhurandhar 2 box office collection day 7 crosses Rs 600 crore in India

Dhurandhar 2 continues its strong box office run, crossing Rs 600 crore in India and Rs 1000 crore worldwide within its first week.

Published

1 month ago

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March 26, 2026

By

Dhurandhar 2 review

Ranveer Singh’s film Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has crossed the Rs 600 crore mark at the India box office within seven days of its release, according to trade estimates. The film has maintained a strong run in both mass centres and urban markets during its first week.

As per trade figures, the film’s India net box office collection stands at around Rs 623 crore after seven days, while the gross domestic collection is estimated to be over Rs 740 crore. The film has also performed strongly in overseas markets, taking its international collection to more than Rs 250 crore. With this, the worldwide box office total has crossed Rs 1,000 crore within the first week of release, as per trade estimates.

Day-wise performance in India

The film opened strongly on March 19 with box office collections of over Rs 100 crore. The film continued to perform well over the next few days, collecting around Rs 80 crore on Day 2 and over Rs 110 crore on Day 3. Collections remained strong over the weekend, followed by an expected drop on weekdays. By Day 7, the film collected around Rs 47 crore, taking the total India net collection past Rs 600 crore.

Overseas performance and comparison

The film has also reported strong performance in overseas markets, particularly in the UK and other key international territories. With the worldwide collection crossing Rs 1,000 crore in the first week, the film is being compared to the fast global box office pace seen by Pushpa 2: The Rule in terms of early box office momentum, according to trade observers.

About the film

Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge is the sequel to the 2025 film Dhurandhar. The sequel features Ranveer Singh along with Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan and Sanjay Dutt in key roles.

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