The atmosphere in Hyderabad’s Police Grounds was electric on Sunday evening as the team of the highly anticipated film, Ustaad Bhagat Singh, gathered for a grand pre-release event. Following the legendary success of Gabbar Singh, the "Cult Captain" Harish Shankar and Power Star Pawan Kalyan have reunited, sparking massive expectations among fans and cinephiles alike.
Produced by Naveen Yerneni and Yalamanchili Ravi Shankar under the prestigious Mythri Movie Makers banner, the film is scheduled to hit theaters on March 19, perfectly timed for the Ugadi and Ramadan festivities.
Pawan Kalyan: "Cinema is My Identity, Service is My Duty"
Addressing a sea of cheering supporters, Pawan Kalyan delivered an emotional speech, emphasizing his deep-rooted love for the craft that gave him a platform to serve the public.
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Industry Unity: He praised the global rise of Telugu cinema, noting that he views all regional works as "Indian Cinema." He expressed gratitude to Megastar Chiranjeevi and Ram Charan for their social media support.
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The Journey: Despite his transition into active politics and the challenges posed by the pandemic, Kalyan credited Harish Shankar’s meticulous planning for completing the film in a record 40–45 days, working limited hours to balance his public responsibilities.
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A Message to Fans: "My star is one that serves you," he stated, reaffirming that while he aims to entertain, he also strives to include meaningful messages in his work.
Director Harish Shankar on the "Ustaad" Evolution
Director Harish Shankar opened up about the film's long road to completion. Originally conceived as a college drama similar to Kushi, the script underwent significant changes to better suit the current landscape.
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Technical Brilliance: He lauded Devi Sri Prasad (DSP) for the chart-topping tracks and S. Thaman for a gripping background score.
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Producer Support: Shankar highlighted the unwavering faith of Mythri Movie Makers, who constructed the largest set in their history for the song "Collar Ey Etthara."
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The "Commitment" Factor: Modifying his famous Gabbar Singh dialogue, Shankar remarked, "For someone with commitment, a cut-out exists," referring to Kalyan’s dedication to finishing the project amidst his political duties.
Leading Ladies and Supporting Cast
The film features a stellar cast including Sreeleela and Raashii Khanna.
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Sreeleela shared her admiration for Kalyan’s positivity and nature-loving persona, noting that her role in this film would be a performance-oriented milestone.
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Raashii Khanna called the project a "dream come true," stating she signed the film without even hearing the script just for the chance to work with the Power Star.
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The movie also features veteran actors Parthiban and K. S. Ravikumar in pivotal roles.
Key Highlights & Production Credits
| Category | Details |
| Director | Harish Shankar |
| Producers | Naveen Yerneni, Yalamanchili Ravi Shankar |
| Music & BGM | Devi Sri Prasad & S. Thaman |
| Release Date | March 19 (Ugadi) |
| Cinematography | Ayananka Bose |
| Art Direction | Anand Sai |
The event concluded with the producers expressing their confidence in the film’s commercial success, labeling it a "super-duper entertainer." With the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments supporting the release, "Ustaad Ugadi" looks set to redefine mass entertainment this season.
