Kannada actor and filmmaker Upendra, known for his unique style and thought-provoking stories, recently shared his views on the growing popularity of Kannada cinema and his desire to remake his iconic film Upendra in Hindi.

In an exclusive conversation with India Today Digital, Upendra reflects on the growth of the Kannada film industry and the impact of the pan-India cinema trend. “Earlier, we used to make films with limited budgets and short schedules – sometimes completing a song in just three days. Now, things have completely changed. The filmmaking process has become more elaborate, incorporating advanced VFX and technological innovations.”

Upendra credited the pan-India film concept for bridging regional and linguistic divides and described it as a game-changer. “This pan-India concept has brought a new dimension to filmmaking. Now, we create five versions of a film together to meet the needs of a wider audience. “It is exciting as well as challenging.”

Proud of the recognition Kannada cinema has received across the country, Upendra expressed his excitement over the growth of the industry. “Earlier, not many people were familiar with Kannada cinema. Today our films are being celebrated across the country. We had never imagined promoting our films on such a large scale in cities like Bombay. Kannada cinema has truly reached a wider audience, and we are proud to be a part of this journey,” he said.

Comparing the process of making pan-Indian films to cooking under pressure, Upendra said, “It’s like boiling rice in a cooker. The pressure is always there, but we have learned to handle it with love and dedication.

The actor had also recently revealed his relationship with Bollywood. “I once started a project with ABCL but could not complete it due to other commitments. Then I became very busy, working continuously in Kannada and Telugu films. Eventually, I decided to focus on one language at a time,” he explained.

However, when Upendra was asked which of his films he would like to make a Hindi remake of, his quick answer was – Upendra. “The themes are relevant even today. Upendra’s futuristic ideas keep the audience engaged from generation to generation. It is a perfect film to be remade in Hindi,” he said.

Upendra was last seen in the Kannada film UI, which released in theaters on December 20.