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Naanu Naane
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Naanu Naane
DVD cover
Directed byD. Rajendra Babu
Story byDharmesh Darshan
Produced byMedikonda Muralikrishna
StarringUpendra
Sakshi Shivanand
Music byDeva
Production
company
Sri Venkataramana Productions
Release date
  • 11 October 2002 (2002-10-11)
Running time
145 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageKannada

Naanu Naane (transl. Me, Myself) is a 2002 Indian Kannada-language film directed by D. Rajendra Babu starring Upendra and Sakshi Shivanand with Anant Nag and Pavitra Lokesh in supporting roles. It is a remake of the Hindi film Raja Hindustani.[1]

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

The film was shot in Madikeri and Munnar while three songs were picturised in Australia.[2][3]

Soundtrack

[edit]

The music was composed by Deva and released by Magnasound Records. The songs "Pardesi Jaana Nahi" and "Aaye Ho Meri" from the original Hindi film have been retained here.

Naanu Naane
Soundtrack album by
Deva
Released2002
Recorded2002
GenreSoundtrack
Length40:05
LabelMagnasound Records
ProducerDeva
Deva chronology
Kotigobba
(2001) 		Naanu Naane
(2002) 		Nata
(2002)
Track list
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Sangaathi"V. Nagendra PrasadK. J. Yesudas, Anuradha Sriram5:55
2."Gelathiye"V. Nagendra PrasadS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Anuradha Sriram5:21
3."Neenaade Mareechike"R. N. JayagopalS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Anuradha Sriram7:09
4."Oh Geleya"R. N. JayagopalS. P. Balasubrahmanyam1:52
5."Kodagina Gandu"V. Nagendra PrasadS. P. Balasubrahmanyam5:51
6."Nee Bande Baalinalli"R. N. JayagopalK. J. Yesudas5:52
7."Neenaade Marechike - Version 2"R. N. JayagopalS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Nanditha8:05
Total length:40:05

Reception

[edit]

Srikanth of Deccan Herald wrote that "This is Sakshi Shivanand’s film all the way. She has once again proved that given the right opportunities she can certainly perform apart from being a pretty face. The same cannot be said about Upendra who has gone in for a change of image through this film Gimmicks do not work always going by what happened to all his releases this year — H2O, Superstar and Naagarahaavu — all disasters. He needs to take up acting lessons seriously if he wants to remain an actor".[3][4] Indiainfo wrote "The director Rajendra Babu has tried to trim the film with expertise. There is no usual Uppi style, no hasty dialogues and no gaudy dresses and weird gimmicks. It is a plain family movie. But remake film being a remake film, there are flaws like the directly translated dialogues and songs, which are intolerable".[5]

References

[edit]
[edit]

Grokipedia

Naanu Naane

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from Grokipedia
Naanu Naane is a 2002 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film directed by D. Rajendra Babu. Starring Upendra and Sakshi Shivanand in the lead roles, alongside Anant Nag, Ramya Krishnan, and Pavitra Lokesh, the film was released on 11 October 2002.[1][2] With a runtime of 145 minutes, it features music composed by Deva and cinematography by D. Prasad Babu.[3] The story revolves around Raja, a small-town tour guide played by Upendra, who encounters Aarthi, a wealthy young woman portrayed by Sakshi Shivanand, who is on a journey to reconnect with her past. Their meeting sparks a romance that explores themes of class differences and personal identity, drawing parallels to classic Bollywood narratives. Produced by Medikonda Venkata Muralikrishna under Sri Venkataramana Productions, Naanu Naane is an official remake of the 1996 Hindi film Raja Hindustani, adapting its core plot to a Kannada context while retaining the emotional depth of romantic tales across social divides.[3] The film received a U certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification and was noted for its engaging soundtrack, including songs rendered by prominent artists, contributing to its popularity in the Kannada film industry during the early 2000s.[2] Despite mixed critical reception, it garnered attention for Upendra's charismatic performance and the film's scenic portrayal of rural and urban contrasts in India.[4]

Synopsis

Plot

Naanu Naane centers on Raja, a straightforward tour guide from a humble rural background who earns his living by showing tourists around his small town. Orphaned and raised by a mentor figure in the community, Raja leads a simple, carefree life guided by honesty and passion for his work. His world changes when he encounters Aarthi, a sophisticated young woman from a wealthy urban family, who arrives in the town seeking a deeper personal connection, possibly tied to her family's history or her own emotional needs. Drawn to Raja's genuine warmth and unpretentious charm, Aarthi begins to open up, and their interactions evolve into a deep romantic bond amid the scenic surroundings.[3] As their love grows, the stark class divide becomes apparent, igniting fierce opposition from Aarthi's affluent parents, who view Raja as an unsuitable match for their daughter. Aarthi, grappling with her loyalty to her family and her authentic feelings for Raja, ultimately chooses love, leading the couple to elope and marry in a defiant act against societal norms. Raja's decisions are consistently driven by his pure-hearted devotion, while Aarthi's arc reflects her struggle to reconcile her privileged upbringing with her desire for true emotional fulfillment. Following their marriage, Raja and Aarthi settle into a modest life together, but relentless interference from Aarthi's family escalates, creating financial hardships, misunderstandings, and emotional turmoil aimed at driving them apart. The couple faces tests of their commitment, with Raja's resilience and Aarthi's growing independence helping them persevere through the adversities. The narrative builds to a dramatic climax where family secrets unravel, forcing confrontations that lead to reconciliation and the affirmation of their union, underscoring themes of love transcending social barriers.

Cast

Upendra portrays Raja, the honest and carefree tour guide from Madikeri who serves as the romantic hero of the story.[3][5] Sakshi Shivanand plays Aarthi, the affluent young woman who embarks on a journey of self-discovery.[5][3] In a key supporting role, Anant Nag appears as Aarthi's father, a wealthy businessman who opposes the central romance due to class differences.[5] (noting the remake structure) Pavitra Lokesh appears in a supporting role.[5][2] The ensemble includes comedic relief from Sadhu Kokila in minor roles that add humor to the narrative.[6][5] Other supporting actors such as Ramesh Bhat, Lakshman, Adi Lokesh, and Ramya Krishnan (in a guest appearance) contribute to the film's family dynamics and conflicts.[5][2]

Production

Development

Naanu Naane originated as a Kannada remake of the 1996 Hindi romantic drama Raja Hindustani, with director D. Rajendra Babu adapting the narrative of class-divided love to appeal to local audiences.[7] The production was spearheaded by Medikonda Venkata Muralikrishna under the banner of Sri Venkataramana Productions, marking a mid-range endeavor typical of early 2000s Kannada cinema focused on star-driven remakes.[3] Scripting emphasized cultural localization, particularly tailoring the central class conflict theme to reflect Kannada societal nuances, such as regional family dynamics and urban-rural divides. D. Rajendra Babu penned the screenplay, drawing from the original story by Dharmesh Darshan—director of Raja Hindustani—while R. N. Jayagopal crafted dialogues infused with colloquial Kannada flavor to enhance authenticity.[5] Key casting choices featured Upendra in the lead role, selected for his burgeoning superstardom after the blockbuster success of his self-directed 1999 film Upendra, which established him as a versatile performer capable of handling intense romantic and dramatic arcs. Complementing him was Sakshi Shivanand as the female lead, chosen for her established charm in romantic pairings across South Indian cinema.[5]

Filming

Principal photography for Naanu Naane concluded prior to the film's theatrical release on October 11, 2002. The production captured the story's blend of rural and scenic environments, with a total runtime of 145 minutes.[4] Shooting took place primarily in Madikeri, Karnataka, for rural sequences, as reflected in the song "Nee Bande Baalinalli Madikeri Manjinange," and in Munnar, Kerala, to emphasize the film's romantic and dramatic tones, while three songs were picturised in Australia. Cinematographer D. Prasad Babu focused on natural lighting to enhance these settings.[8][3] Post-production was handled by editor A. Sreekar Prasad, prioritizing straightforward cuts and minimal visual effects to maintain the film's organic aesthetic.[3]

Music

Composition

Deva, an Indian composer renowned for his melodic compositions incorporating folk and gaana elements across South Indian cinema, was brought on board to score the music for Naanu Naane. His approach emphasized creating a soundtrack that fused romantic ballads with subtle folk influences, tailored to resonate with Kannada audiences through accessible rhythms and emotional depth.[9][10] The lyrics were penned by V. Nagendra Prasad and R. N. Jayagopal, who wove in themes of love and self-identity to complement the film's titular concept of "Naanu Naane," signifying introspection and personal connection.[11] Recording sessions featured veteran playback singers such as K. J. Yesudas and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, whose versatile voices brought nuance to the melodic tracks. The complete album, spanning approximately 34 minutes, was released by Magnasound Records in 2002.[12][13] The compositions integrate seamlessly with the narrative, enhancing romantic sequences through evocative melodies set against scenic backdrops that highlight the characters' emotional journeys.[2]

Track listing

The soundtrack of Naanu Naane features six songs composed by Deva and released by Magnasound in 2002, with a total duration of approximately 34 minutes.[13] The lyrics were penned primarily by V. Nagendra Prasad and R. N. Jayagopal.[2]
No.TitleSinger(s)LyricistNotes
1"Sangaathi Sangaathi"K. J. Yesudas, Anuradha SriramV. Nagendra PrasadRomantic duet picturized on Raja and Aarthi's first meeting in Madikeri.[2][14]
2"Nee Bande Baalinalli"K. J. YesudasR. N. JayagopalMelodious track highlighting the emotional bonding between the leads.[2][8]
3"Kodagina Gandu"S. P. BalasubrahmanyamV. Nagendra PrasadUpbeat situational song showcasing the protagonist's energetic side.[2][15]
4"Gelathiye Gelathiye (Oh Geleya)"S. P. BalasubrahmanyamR. N. JayagopalPlayful song emphasizing the growing attraction in a light-hearted sequence.[2][16]
5"Neenaade Mareechike" (duet version)S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Anuradha SriramR. N. JayagopalRomantic number depicting the couple's intimate moments.[2][17]
6"Neenaade Mareechike" (solo version)S. P. BalasubrahmanyamR. N. JayagopalReflective solo rendition underscoring the male lead's inner turmoil.[2][18]

Release and reception

Theatrical release

Naanu Naane was released theatrically on 11 October 2002 in Kannada-language theaters primarily across Karnataka.[2][1] The distribution was handled by Sri Venkataramana Productions, the film's production company.[4] No dubbed versions or re-releases were produced.[19] The film received a U certification from the Central Board of Film Certification in India and has a runtime of 145 minutes.[4][2]

Critical response

Critics gave Naanu Naane a mixed reception, praising certain performances and technical aspects while criticizing its lack of originality as a remake. Srikanth of Deccan Herald highlighted Sakshi Shivanand's emotional depth in the lead role, noting, "This is Sakshi Shivanand's film all the way. She has once again proved that given the right opportunities she can hold her own against the best," and commended the scenic visuals from the film's locations that enhanced the romantic narrative. The review also appreciated Deva's soundtrack for its melodic integration, particularly the adapted songs that captured the essence of the original Raja Hindustani. The film's exploration of class divides and self-identity was acknowledged as relevant to the Kannada context but seen as derivative of the 1996 Hindi original, with limited innovation in addressing these themes. Aggregate scores reflect this divided opinion; on IMDb, Naanu Naane holds a 6.7/10 rating based on 21 user votes, indicating moderate appreciation amid Upendra's perceived recent film slumps at the time.[4]

Box office performance

Naanu Naane emerged as a commercial disappointment at the box office, registering a poor opening and ultimately flopping in its theatrical run.[20] The film failed to capitalize on Upendra's star power despite being a remake of the successful Raja Hindustani, and it did not achieve significant earnings in Karnataka, where the Kannada film industry saw top performers like Tavarige Baa Thangi gross around ₹5 crore.[20] In the broader market context of 2002, the year proved disastrous for Upendra, with five of his films—including Naanu Naane, H2O, Super Star, Hollywood, and Nagarahavu—bombing at the box office due to factors like audience fatigue and competition from stronger releases.[20] While exact gross figures for Naanu Naane are not widely documented, its underperformance contributed to Upendra's string of setbacks before his later comebacks.[21] The film did not sustain a prolonged theatrical run, exiting screens relatively quickly amid the poor reception.[22] On home media, Naanu Naane received a later release on DVD and VHS, and as of November 2025, it remains accessible for streaming on platforms such as Sun NXT and YouTube via official channels like TVNXT Kannada.[23][24]
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