Rana Vikrama
Rana Vikrama is a 2015 Indian Kannada-language action thriller film directed by Pavan Wadeyar featuring Puneeth Rajkumar, Anjali and Adah Sharma.[1] The film released on 10 April 2015.[2] Audio of the movie released on 21 March 2015. Puneeth Rajkumar played a double role in this film, though both the roles never appear together onscreen.
Rana Vikrama | |
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Directed by | Pavan Wadeyar |
Written by | Pavan Wadeyar |
Screenplay by | Pavan Wadeyar |
Produced by | Jayanna Bhogendra |
Starring | Puneeth Rajkumar Anjali Adah Sharma Girish Karnad Rangayana Raghu Vikram Singh |
Cinematography | Vaidy S |
Edited by | Suresh Armugam |
Music by | V. Harikrishna |
Production company | Jayanna Combines |
Distributed by | Jayanna Combines Reliance Entertainment |
Release date |
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Running time | 147 minutes |
Country | India |
Language | Kannada |
The film was released on 10th April 2015 where it received positive reviews from critics and audience with praise for the cast performances, story and action sequences and was declared a Blockbuster at the box office.
Plot
The film starts with a flashback in 14th August 1947, where a Viceroy named Louise Batten is torturing a defiant Kannadiga, but the Kannadiga cuts the throat of the officer, who soon dies. It shifts in 2015, where a Reporter being killed in a place called Vikramatheertha, which is not on the Karnataka map. She had earlier sent a letter to Home minister K.V. Anand Rao. When she later disappears, Rao asks the Police Commissioner to send a newer recruit a hardened police officer to investigate. Vikram aspires to become a police officer, but fails as he refuses to give a bribe. Through his girlfriend Paaru, he meets Anand Rao, who assigns him the mission. Vikram goes to Vikramatheertha, in Maharashtra, and finds out that the people are enslaved by Patil to illegally export soil to an unknown buyer. After being insulted, he thrashes up Patil and his henchmen and sends him into a coma. Meanwhile, Patil's brother Kulkarni, who is Maharashtra's ruling party MLA, hears of his brother's coma and sends goons against Vikram, who are thrashed up and brought to the ambulance. When Kulkarni finds out, he swears revenge against Vikram. Vikram then frees and organizes the people to order the area, and goes to change the border between the states.
On the way, he thrashes up some of Kulkarni's goons right in front of him and gives him a strong warning. Vikram reports to Anand Rao with his findings, including old Halegannada inscriptions, the people who speak Kannada and also about Kulkarni. Kulkarni fears his loss of power as a MLA wants to kill Vikram. In the meantime, Vikram and the people excavate Vikramateertha and find many artifacts that they restore to their former glory, pictures of which are sent to Rao. Meanwhile, Anand Rao tells Vikram the Central government has given approval for the site to be developed. Vikram requests he come to annex the site on Kannada Rajyotsava to show the Karnataka of their heritage. Meanwhile, Johnson, who is the grandson of Louise Batten calls Kulkarni, who is helping Johnson smuggle the soil of the village, to ensure everything is fine. He signs a contract for £10 billion dollars and will give Kulkarni ₹100 crores in exchange for triple the soil. Rao tells the world about Vikramatheertha's exploits and Vikramateertha's belonging to Karnataka. Johnson and Kulkarni watch the news, Kulkarni then relays everything to Johnson and begs him to come to India. On the day of Kannada Rajyotsava, the people are very patriotic towards their mother tongue. At the same time as Anand Rao is talking about Vikramateertha belonging to Karnataka, his grandmother Gowri wakes up from her long inactivity and Vikram visits her ailing grandmother, who reveals her and his grandfather's life story.
In 1947, Vikramateertha was a thriving village with a famous Lord Shiva temple. Gowri, the daughter of the village headman Kusti Ranganna where she falls in love with her father's student Rana Vikrama, and they are married with great pomp. Meanwhile, the area is under the control of Viceroy Louis Batten, who is only interested in gaining profits. One of his scientist found 100% uranium in Vikramatheertha's soil. Afterwards, one of the British collaborators tells the villagers they must vacate the village, but they refuse at which Batten kills Kusti Ranganna, only for Vikram to attack him. Humiliated, Batten sends a large army forces to forcibly evict or kill the villagers. The villagers fight back with stones and bare hands, but the guns and cannons of the enemy force them back. Vikrama tells Gowri and remaining villagers to flee and returns to fight the British. However, he is betrayed by his own partner and is handed over to Batten. Batten tortures him mortally, but he slashes the throat of the evil Britisher before his death (which is shown in the beginning). Johnson gruesomly bombs the site, causing many deaths and the state government is humiliated. Anand Rao assigns Vikram to investigate behind the bombing. Vikram convinces Rao of the need to kill Johnson for the safety of the country and state, to prevent the uranium from getting into the hands of terrorists. Vikram goes to find and kill Johnson with a squad officers, but Johnson escapes and has Vikram's own team double cross him. After dispatching the squad, Vikram goes to the mines where Johnson is supervising the loading of the uranium and chases him along a train. After a fight, Vikram is stabbed, but kills Johnson. Vikram is promoted to ACP by Anand Rao, much to the happiness of his parents, grandmother and Paaru.
Cast
- Puneeth Rajkumar as Rana Vikrama/ACP Vikrama
- Anjali as Gowri
- Adah Sharma as Paaru
- Girish Karnad as K.V. Anand Rao – Home Minister of Karnataka state.
- Dinesh Mangalore as Kulakarni
- Vikram Singh as Johnson and Louis Batten, Viceroy of Company Government (dual role)
- Ashok
- Sudha Belawadi as Vikram's mother
- "Mukhyamantri" Chandru as Chief Minister of Karnataka state
- Avinash as 'Kusti' Ranganna
- Yash as 'Masti' Krishna
- Kiara Advani as Lakshmi
- Harsha BM
Production
It was reported in October 2013 that Pavan Wadeyar would direct Puneeth Rajkumar in this film which was announced to be produced by Jayanna Combines.[3] The film was officially launched along with a teaser on 17 March 2014. Puneeth Rajkumar who turned 39 on 17 March, celebrated his birthday amidst a huge crowd at Kanteerava Studios while he also took part in the launch of his next project with Pavan Wadeyar. The entire family of Rajkumar was present at the Kanteerava studios to wish Puneeth Rajkumar on his birthday and for his next project. It was Shiva Rajkumar who clapped for the first shot while Parvathamma Rajkumar switched on the camera. According to Pavan, Puneeth Rajkumar will be seen as a student and a cop in this film.[4]
Popular Tamil-Telugu actress Anjali returned to Sandalwood in this film, breaking a seven-year hiatus.[5][6] Adah Sharma was selected as the other heroine, after Rachita Ram opted out. Hindi actor Vikram Singh was roped to play main antagonist role.[7]
Filming
The regular shooting of the movie started from 9 June 2014 in Bangalore. To shoot the key scenes of the movie, a massive outdoor set was erected at hampi on the bank of the Tungabadra river, and it is said to be one of the most expensive outdoor sets for a Kannada movie.[8] Actor Yash visited the shooting spot at Hampi.[9] It is the first of movie Puneeth which shot at Hampi while his father Dr Rajkumar and brother Shiva Rajkumar had a film shot there earlier.[10] The introduction scene of Adah Sharma was shot at MG Road Metro railway station,[11] Bangalore thus becoming first Kannada movie to shoot at Namma Metro.[12] The other major scenes were shot at Bangalore, Belagavi, Hospete, Sandur and near Donimalai. The second official teaser of the movie was released with Tamil Lingaa movie on 12 December 2014.[13] The major climax scene was canned at Jindal Factory, Bellary for 18 days. It was reported that the makers of the film had invested a whopping Rs 1.25 crore in the climax. Director Pavan Wadeyar in order to create a high-octane climax in the film got a 10 kg gun especially designed for the film.[14] The 16-member team of Ranavikrama wrapped up the last schedule of shooting in Milan, Italy in January.[15]
Post-production
The post production activities commenced during the final phase of shooting. Puneeth began dubbing for his role by the end of February. Eventually, he had to stop as the actor caught a cold. Later he completed his dubbing portion. Actor Vikram Singh who plays the villain role in the movie, completed his dubbing on 9 March 2015. Lead actress Anjali completed her voice dubbing for her role on 19 March 2015. It was reported that it was her first time dubbing for a Kannada film.[16]
Music
Rana Vikrama | |||||
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Soundtrack album by | |||||
Released | 10 April 2015 | ||||
Recorded | 2015 | ||||
Genre | Film soundtrack | ||||
Label | D Beats | ||||
Producer | Jayanna Bhogendra | ||||
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V. Harikrishna, composed the music film, which marks his eighth collaboration with Puneeth Rajkumar. Director Pawan, in an interview with Filmibeat, said that there are 4 songs in the movie and Puneeth Rajkumar has crooned two songs for the movie.[17] But later only one song sung by Puneeth was retained. Director Pavan has announced in his Twitter account that the songs of the Ranavikrama movie will be released on 10 April 2015.[18] The audio album received mixed response from the listeners.[19]
No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Ranavikrama" | Pavan Wadeyar | Kunal Ganjawala | |
2. | "Airtelu Aircelu" | Pavan Wadeyar | Vijay Prakash | |
3. | "Neene Neene" | Kaviraj | Puneeth Rajkumar, Palak Muchhal | |
4. | "Gowri Gowri" | K. Kalyan | Karthik, Priya Himesh |
Release
Marketing
The film's first look was released on 17 March 2014 on the occasion of Puneeth Rajkumar's birthday in YouTube. The Teaser was of 54 seconds in which Puneeth jumps and shoots in a police uniform and a pair of jeans trousers with the Background Music notching the word "Vikrama Ranavikrama". The teaser of the movie was played in all theatres of Karnataka irrespective of the any language film which was being played at the centre. It was the first time that the trailer of a film was released across all theatres in Karnataka
The second teaser of the movie was released on 12 December 2014, along with the Tamil movie Lingaa. It was a 45-second teaser in which Puneeth was seen wielding an automatic rifle and seen shooting at the enemy.
The third teaser of the movie was released on 17 March 2015 on the occasions of Puneeth Rajkumar's 40 birthday. It was a 40-second video in which Puneeth was seen in a cop avatar, which is rumoured to be his character Vikram IPS, doing several high-octane action sequences.[20]
References
- "Anjali to pair with Power Star". Indian Express. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
- "'Rana Vikrama' Half Way". IndiaGlitz. 13 October 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
- "Director dilemma". The New Indian Express. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- "Puneeth's Ranavikrama teaser launched". Times of India. 18 March 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
- "Anjali returns, Vidyut opts out". Bangalore Mirror. 5 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
- "Honganasu actress Anjali to star in Dheera Ranavikrama". Deccan Chronicle. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
- "Vikram Singh to play a baddie in Kannada film Rana Vikrama". 14 May 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- "Ranavikrama does a Rowdy Rathore". Bangalore Mirror. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- "Puneeth Rajkumar ignores Yash?". The Times of India. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- "A first: Puneeth to shoot at Hampi". The Times of India. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- "Puneeth Rajkumar, Adah Sharma shoot at MG Road Metro Station, Bangalore". The Times of India.
- "Metro Station Now a Shooting Spot". The New Indian Express. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- "Rana Vikrama's Date With Lingaa". The New Indian Express. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- "A 10 kg Gun for Rana Vikrama". The New Indian Express. 10 January 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- "Cold speeds up Ranavikrama". Bangalore Mirror. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- "EXCLUSIVE: Anjali Completes Dubbing For Puneeth Rajkumar's 'Rana Vikrama'". Filmibeat. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
- "EXCLUSIVE: Interview With 'Rana Vikrama' Director Pawan Wadeyar". Filmibeat Kannada. 5 March 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- "Ranavikrama audio on Ugadi". The Times of India. 13 March 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
- "Rana Vikrama album is sweet and short". Nam Cinema. 24 March 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
- "Action-packed Ranavikrama teaser is here". The Times of India. 17 March 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2015.