Uppena

Uppena (transl. High Tide) is a 2021 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama written and directed by newcomer Buchi Babu Sana and produced by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings. It stars debutants Panja Vaisshnav Tej and Krithi Shetty, with Vijay Sethupathi in a prominent role. Released on 12 February 2021, it was a major commercial success and became the highest-grossing debut film in Telugu cinema. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu.

Story

In 2002, in the village of Uppada near Kakinada, Raayanam is an influential zamindar who will go to any lengths to protect his family’s honour. He guards his college-going daughter, fondly called Bebamma, closely and plans to clear fishermen’s homes from the coast for a shipyard. Aasi, a young fisherman, falls deeply in love with Bebamma, and she begins to return his feelings. Their love is set against Raayanam’s pride and the social divides between them.

Development and casting

Sukumar decided in October 2018 to back the debut of his former assistant, and Mythri Movie Makers joined as co-producer. Vaisshnav Tej was cast as the fisherman in his first role. Vijay Sethupathi was brought in as the antagonist, reported to be the heroine’s father, in his second Telugu film. Krithi Shetty, from Mangalore, was signed in May 2019 for her debut. The title Uppena was revealed on 6 May 2019. The director said the film’s point was that love goes beyond the boundaries of caste and class.

Filming and music

After a launch on 21 January 2019, shooting began on 25 May 2019 with 35 days in Kakinada. It continued in Hyderabad and then in Puri, Kolkata and Gangtok, and wrapped in January 2020. Sethupathi’s lines were dubbed in Telugu by P. Ravi Shankar. Devi Sri Prasad composed the music, and songs such as “Nee Kannu Neeli Samudram” and “Jala Jala Jalapaatham Nuvvu” became big hits. Shamdat was the cinematographer and Naveen Nooli the editor.

Release

The film was due on 2 April 2020 but was held back by the pandemic. The makers chose to wait for cinemas rather than go to streaming, and it opened on 12 February 2021. It began streaming on Netflix on 14 April 2021, and its first television premiere on Star Maa drew a TRP rating of 18.51.

Reception and awards

Reviews were mixed. Critics praised the performances, especially those of Sethupathi and Shetty, and Devi Sri Prasad’s music, but faulted the plot, screenplay and length. Firstpost said it explored love in a world shaped by patriarchy and caste but struggled to escape clichés. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu at the 69th National Film Awards and the state Gaddar Award for Third Best Feature Film.

Sources: Wikipedia and Wikidata.