Katari Veera Surasundarangi is a 2012 Indian 3D Kannada-language romantic fantasy film starring Upendra and Ramya in the lead roles. The film is a sequel to Upendra's 2003 filmRaktha Kanneeru. Veteran actor Ambarish also plays a vital role. The film is directed by Suresh Krishna and produced by Munirathna. It is the first full-length 3D film in Kannada cinema. A 3D MythologicalRomantic fantasy film, it was partly a sequel to Rakta Kanneeru. It was also the first full-length 3D film in Kannada cinema. Upendra reprises his role of the highly educated rich-man turned beggar Mohan now in hell, who meets his look alike gangster son who is killed in a gang war. The film tells the story of how Mohans son Upendrafalls in love with Lord Indra's daughter Indraja in Indraloka and how he faces the challenges of Lord Brahma, Lord Yama and other Devatas of Indraloka to marry Indraja. Katari Veera Suruasundarangi was the Second Highest Grossing Kannada film of 2012 and was declared as a 'Super Hit'. The film was also dubbed into Hindi as Ek hi don.
Plot
The film is a sequel to Upendra's earlier movie Rakta Kanneeru which was released in 2003. Upendra, is a wannabe don who dies in a gang war. When he reaches the doors of Heaven and Hell, he decides to go to hell as he feels heaven's beautiful look and silence makes it too boring. He soon meets Yama who is unable to decide whether to put him in hell or heaven as he has not done any sin nor any good deed. In the midst of this, Upendra finds his father, Mohan and also falls in love with Indraja, the daughter of Indra. After her initial rejection, He manages to get her to reciprocate as well. But Indra, refusing to let his daughter marry a human, challenges Upendra that he has to go to earth for 10 days with Indraja and will forget that he ever died once he reaches there. In these 10 days, if Upendra does a sin, then he will have to forget Indraja. Upendra and Indraja accept the challenge and go to earth with Yama and Chitragupta. Once on earth, Upendra and Indraja get together with Upendra forgetting everything that happened when he died. But he overhears Indraja talking to Indra secretly and remembers everything. Yama in the meantime is desperate to make sure Upendra loses the challenge. He even changes Upendra's face with that of the don's who had killed Upendra in the first place. The film ends with Yama understanding the power of love and leaving from there and Upendra and Indraja getting married.
The film was earlier rumoured to be a remake of Malayalam hit film Udayananu Tharam and was also rumoured to be having shades of Rajkumar starrer Katari Veera which was released back in 1966. However, in a press meet Upendra denied all the rumours and said that his version is completely fresh and has no links with the above-mentioned films whatsoever. Producer Munirathna, who was once the main reason behind the banning of actress Nikita Thukral had approached her to do an item number dance for this film. Nikita had turned down the offer. Upendra had earlier titled this film as Yamendra Upendra and Sadhu Kokila had to direct this film. However, due to several reasons, Suresh Krishna was roped in to direct it finally. A single song in the film has three actresses; Suman Ranganath, Ramanito Choudary and Rishika Singh.
Filming
Even during the making, the film drew the attention of stars from other industries. Bollywood actors Sunil Shetty, Mithun Chakraborty, Jayaprada and Tamil star Karthik visited the shooting after the makers used seven cameras at a time. 3D stereoscopic solutions were given by Epic studios. 3d is made by K. P. Nambiathiri and his team. Sound design and final mixing of the movie done by Renjith Viswanathan.
Promotion & Publicity
The trailers of Kataari Veera Sura Sundaraangi which were shown in the single screen theaters and multiplexes across Karnataka aroused lot of appreciation among the audience. Meanwhile, Upendra, Ramya and Munirathna promoted the film.
Reception
Box office
Its opening weekend collection was a strong 57 million. The film went on to gross a total of 72 million in its first week, thus breaking the records set by Chingari which had collected 60 million in its first week. Katari Veera Surasundarangi was reported to be one of the biggest openers of Kannada cinema of its time next to Anna Bond and Jogayya. The film recovered its investment at the end of its second week The film grossed more than 160 million at the box office after completing 50 days of run in 16 centers across Karnataka. Katari Veera Suruasundarangi was declared as a Super Hit and was the Second Highest Grossing Kannada film of 2012 behind Kranthi Veera Sangolli Rayanna.
Critical reception
Katari Veera Surasundarangi received mostly positive reviews. Oneindia praised the technical aspect of the film by saying, "Upendra and Ramya's Katari Veera Surasundarangi is the biggest-ever 3D film made in Kannada till date. Katari Veera Surasundarangi is technically astounding and visually arrests the audience. Kannadigas, who have not seen 3D Sandalwood film in the last two decades, will be thrilled to experience the joy of watching the film in this format". Rediff terms the film as a clear winner: "Katari Veera Sura Sundaraangi is a winner all the way. It will do for Kannada cinema what Avatar did for Hollywood. Producer Munirathna Naidu needs to be commended for investing in a 3D film and pioneering it in Kannada cinema. Just forget the story. Watch it with your 3D glasses on and be entertained!". Chitraloka too gave the movie a positive review, "Kataari Veera Sura Sundaraangi engulfs you with rich production values, grandeur when it gets started. Later it is Uppi who takes over the reigns to entertain, enlighten and educate the audience with his dialogues and superb dialogue delivery."
