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Prema Baraha
Prema Baraha
Prema Baraha
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Prema Baraha
Prema Baraha Poster
Theatrical release poster in Kannada
Directed byArjun Sarja
Written byArjun Sarja
Produced byNiveditha Arjun
StarringChandan Kumar
Aishwarya Arjun
CinematographyH. C. Venugopal
Edited byKay Kay
Music byJassie Gift
Production
company
Release date
  • 9 February 2018 (2018-02-09)
CountryIndia
LanguagesKannada
Tamil

Prema Baraha (transl. Script of love) in Kannada / Sollividava (transl. Shall I say it) in Tamil is a 2018 Indian romantic drama film written and directed by Arjun Sarja. It was produced by his wife Niveditha Arjun under his home studio of Sree Raam Films International and made simultaneously in Kannada and Tamil languages. The film stars Chandan Kumar and Aishwarya Arjun (in her Kannada debut) with different ensemble casts for the two versions. Jassie Gift composed the soundtrack and score. H. C. Venugopal was the director of photography and Kay Kay edited the film. The two versions of the film were released worldwide on 9 February 2018. It had a grand opening and became a commercial success at the box office of Karnataka, but had a decent run in Tamil.

Plot

[edit]

Sanjay (Chandan Kumar) and Madhu (Aishwarya Arjun) are two journalists from rival news organizations who do not have the best equation. However, when the two of them are forced to work together while covering the Kargil War, a bond is forged between them.

Cast

[edit]
Actor (Kannada) Actor (Tamil) Role
Chandan Kumar Sanjay
Aishwarya Arjun Madhu
Suhasini Madhu's aunt
K. Viswanath Seenu
Prakash Raj Army man's father
Avinash Ram
Sadhu Kokila Sathish Sanjay's friend
Pandi Sanjay's friend
O. A. K. Sundar Subhendar Ganesan
K. Viswanath Seenu
Rangayana Raghu Rajendran Narayana
Mandya Ramesh Manobala Apartment president
Kuri Prathap Yogi Babu Madhu's friend
Bonda Mani
Jeet Raidutt Jeet
N/a Nellai Siva Traffic police officer
Arjun Sarja Special appearance in "Jai Hanumantha"[1]/Flight captain
Darshan Shobi Paulraj special appearance in "Jai Hanumantha"
Chiranjeevi Sarja
Dhruva Sarja

Production

[edit]

In December 2015, Arjun announced that he was set to produce and direct a bilingual Kannada and Tamil romantic film featuring his daughter Aishwarya Arjun in the lead role. He had initially narrated three stories to his daughter, who was most satisfied with a script on two journalists falling in love during the Kargil War of 1999. While he was working on the screenplay, Arjun spent a week in the studios of Asian News International and went through all the material they had on Kargil.[2][3] Kannada actor Chetan Kumar was signed on to feature as the lead actor in the project, thus making his debut in Tamil films.[4] In May 2016, Chetan Kumar backed out of the project, unhappy with his characterisation in the film, and was replaced by another Kannada actor, Chandan Kumar.[5] For her particular role, Aishwarya Arjun carefully observed the style and characteristics of Barkha Dutt who worked as a journalist during the 1999 conflict.[6]

The film was launched in May 2016 with promotional stills from a shoot released shortly after.[7][8] The film's first schedule was completed in July 2016 with Suhasini and K. Viswanath also joining the cast. It was then shot in Dharamsala, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kerala, Mumbai, Switzerland, and Italy. In August 2017, the Tamil title was changed from Kadhalin Ponveedhiyil to Sollividava.[9] The Kannada title of Prema Baraha is derived from Arjun Sarja's song Prema Baraha Koti Taraha from the film Prathap (1990).[10]

Soundtrack

[edit]
Prema Baraha
Soundtrack album by
Jassie Gift
Released2017
Recorded2017
GenreFeature film soundtrack
LabelU1 Records (Tamil)
Divo (Tamil/Kannada)
ProducerJassie Gift
Jassie Gift chronology
Chicken Kokkachi
(2017) 		Prema Baraha
(2017) 		Jani
(2017)

Jassie Gift has composed the score and songs for the film, with Divo releasing the soundtrack in Kannada and U1 Records in Tamil. The heroine introduction theme included in the album was composed by Aruldev. The title track is based on the song "Prema Baraha" from the Kannada film Prathap (1990).

Kannada version
Track list
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Prema Baraha"HamsalekhaArmaan Malik, Palak Muchhal5:05
2."Manase Manase"Arjun, KavirajM. M. Keeravani, Harini5:16
3."Jai Hanumantha"Vijaya Narasimha, GotturiS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Tippu5:07
4."Rama Rama"V. Nagendra PrasadHaricharan, Anitha Karthikeyan3:58
5."Paan Banaras"Ghouse PeerKarthik, Priya Himesh4:12
6."Prema Baraha (Mashup mix)"—Jassie Gift, Arjun Sarja, Chandan Shetty, Harini2:48
7."Manase Manase (Solo)"Arjun, KavirajM. M. Keeravani5:15
8."Introduction theme"—Instrumental1:15
Tamil version
Track list
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Mashup Mix"—Jassie Gift, Arjun Sarja, Chandan Shetty2:48
2."Uyire Uyire"Madhan KarkyG. V. Prakash Kumar, Harini5:16
3."Jai Hanumantha"Vijaya Narasimha, GotturiS. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Tippu5:07
4."Rama Rama"VivekaHaricharan, Anitha Karthikeyan3:58
5."Paan Banaras"Pa. VijayKarthik, Priya Himesh4:12
6."Uyire Uyire (Solo)"Madhan KarkyG. V. Prakash Kumar, Harini5:15
7."Heroine Introduction Music"—Instrumental1:15
8."Sollividava"Madhan KarkySathyaprakash Dharmar, Harini5:03

Critical reception

[edit]

Kannada version

[edit]

A critic from The Times of India wrote that "Watch this film if you're a fan of the stereotypical commercial fare, replete with comedy, sentiments, action and romance".[11] A critic from Deccan Chronicle opined that "Unfortunately, the brilliant actor Arjun Sarja falls short in deploying the right force and making use of the right kind of ammunition for this kind of lovely mission".[12]

Tamil version

[edit]

A critic from The Hindu said that "What lets the film down is Arjun's unfocussed writing, un-missable lectures on nationalism and using stock Kargil war footage liberally instead of staging the war".[13] A critic from The New Indian Express stated that "On the whole, it's just a run-of-the-mill romantic film which has almost no redeeming factors".[14]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Prema Baraha

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
is a 2018 Kannada-language romantic drama film written, directed, and produced by , featuring and Aishwarya Arjun as the protagonists. The film, also released as Sollividava in Tamil, centers on two journalists from competing news channels whose mutual antagonism transforms into romance after they are thrust together while reporting on the . It premiered on February 9, 2018, with music composed by and cinematography by Venugopalan. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of the 1999 India-Pakistan conflict, emphasizing themes of patriotism and personal redemption alongside the central love story. , known primarily as an action star, marked this as one of his directorial efforts, incorporating real wartime footage and soldier tributes to heighten authenticity. Despite its ambitious scope, the film garnered mixed critical reception, praised for its portrayal but critiqued for sluggish pacing and formulaic romance elements. It holds an IMDb user rating of 7.2 out of 10 based on limited votes, reflecting niche appeal among regional audiences.

Synopsis and Cast

Plot Summary

follows Sanjay, a working for one channel, and Madhu, a reporter from a rival outlet, who begin with mutual antagonism expressed through on-air criticisms. Their professional rivalry intensifies when both are assigned to cover the 1999 between and . Forced into cooperation amid the conflict's perils, the pair navigates battlefield challenges, including interactions with Indian soldiers. As they document the war's events, their relationship transforms from hostility to romance, blending elements of , and patriotism against the historical backdrop of Operation Vijay. The narrative emphasizes themes of love emerging from adversity, with the journalists' personal growth intertwined with the military campaign's progression.

Principal Cast and Roles

Chandan Kumar stars as the male lead, portraying a journalist working for one media outlet in the 2018 Kannada film Prema Baraha. Aishwarya Arjun plays the female lead, depicting the other journalist from a rival publication, marking her debut in Kannada cinema. The narrative centers on the romantic and professional dynamics between these two protagonists. Supporting principal roles include Sadhu Kokila, Rangayana Raghu, Suhasini Maniratnam, and Prakash Raj, contributing to the film's ensemble dynamics involving family and conflict elements. Arjun Sarja, who directed the film, also performs in an acting capacity.

Production Details

Development and Pre-Production

Arjun Sarja conceived the story and screenplay for Prema Baraha, a bilingual romantic drama intended for simultaneous production in Kannada and Tamil (titled Sollividava in the latter), marking his second directorial venture in Kannada after Jai Hind (2010). The project originated as a launch vehicle for Sarja's daughter, Aishwarya Arjun, in her acting debut opposite Chandan Kumar, a contestant from the Kannada reality show Bigg Boss Kannada season 4, who was cast in the male lead role. Sarja, who also served as producer under his banner Sri Ram Films International, announced the film in mid-May 2016, with the muhurat (inaugural pooja ceremony) scheduled for May 22, 2016. The official launch event occurred on May 23, 2016, attended by family members including Sarja's wife Asharani, who performed the traditional breaking of the to initiate proceedings. Pre-production emphasized casting supporting roles to bolster the film's appeal, including veteran actors and , alongside cameo appearances such as as a devotee. Technical preparations involved selecting Jessie Gift for the music score and planning the recreation of Sarja's earlier hit song "Prema Baraha" from his 1990 film , tailored to feature the lead pair. A motion was unveiled on February 10, 2017, to generate buzz, followed by the audio launch on December 23, 2017, which highlighted the film's romantic themes and debutant introductions.

Filming and Technical Aspects

The principal photography for Prema Baraha included exterior sequences for the title song filmed in , recreating an earlier track from Arjun Sarja's 1990 film Prathap. Other filming details remain undocumented in available production records, though the project was executed as a simultaneous bilingual shoot in and Tamil. Cinematography was directed by H. C. Venugopal, who employed color film stock to capture the romantic and dramatic elements. The production adhered to standard technical parameters for Kannada features of the era, including a runtime of 158 minutes, an aspect ratio of approximately 2.39:1, and a frame rate of 24 fps. Editing was overseen by Kay Kay, with art direction by Seenu contributing to set design amid the film's patriotic and war-themed sequences. Stunt coordination was managed by Kali, supporting action elements tied to the Kargil War narrative.

Music and Soundtrack

The soundtrack for Prema Baraha was composed by , a musician known primarily for his work in , marking a notable contribution to film music. The original motion picture soundtrack, released on September 18, 2017, consists of seven tracks blending devotional, romantic, and melodic elements, with lyrics penned by a team including Vijaya Narasimha, , Kaviraj, and . Key tracks feature prominent playback singers, such as and Tippu on the devotional opener "Jai Hanumantha," and Harini on the romantic "Manase Manase," and with on "Rama Rama." The title track "Prema Baraha" is rendered by and , emphasizing the film's romantic theme.
Track No.TitleSingersDuration
1Jai Hanumantha, Tippu5:07
2Manase Manase, Harini5:16
3Rama Rama, 3:58
4Paan BanarasKarthik4:11
5Mash Up Mix2:46
6Prema Baraha, N/A
7Additional track (e.g., solo variant)Various (e.g., solo)N/A
The 's production credits for overall composition, with the tracks distributed via platforms like and , reflecting standard film practices of the era. No major awards or widespread critical acclaim for the music were documented in primary release sources.

Release and Commercial Performance

Theatrical Release

Prema Baraha underwent theatrical release on February 9, 2018, in . The -language romantic drama opened in select cinemas primarily targeting audiences in , with availability noted in urban centers such as Bengaluru and Kolar via platforms like BookMyShow. Distribution was handled through production entities including Sri Ram Films International, facilitating screenings in key regional theaters. The release coincided with promotional efforts, including an official trailer launch earlier in January 2018, building anticipation for director Arjun Sarja's project starring and Aishwarya Arjun. No major delays or controversies were reported surrounding the rollout, allowing for a standard commercial debut in the film industry.

Box Office Results

Prema Baraha registered a successful performance in , completing a 50-day theatrical run in over 35 theaters as of March 30, 2018. The film maintained screenings in key venues such as Bengaluru's Sapna theater and select single screens during this period, indicating sustained audience interest in the regional market. Specific collection figures, such as or total gross, remain unreported in major trade analyses, reflecting the typical variability in tracking for mid-tier releases of the era.

Reception and Analysis

Critical Reviews

Critics generally received Prema Baraha with mixed to negative reviews, praising its patriotic elements and action sequences while criticizing its formulaic narrative, melodramatic excess, and failure to effectively utilize the backdrop. The film, released on February 9, 2018, earned an average rating of 2.5 out of 5 from , which described it as stereotypical commercial fare centered on a love story between rival journalists amid war, noting generous doses of action but lamenting the predictable plot twists and over-reliance on mass appeal tropes. Bangalore Mirror awarded it 1.5 out of 5 stars, characterizing the film as a "slow-moving, late-on-arrival tribute to the Kargil War" that devolves into laborious melodrama, with the patriotic intent undermined by contrived romance and unconvincing emotional arcs that strain audience patience. Similarly, The News Minute labeled it mediocre, faulting director Umesh for formulaic performances from leads Chandan Kumar and Aishwarya Arjun, and for squandering the historical setting on superficial journalism rivalries rather than deeper exploration of conflict's human cost. Deccan Chronicle critiqued the film's ambitious blend of and as missing its targets "by kilometers," highlighting disjointed pacing where war sequences feel tacked-on to a routine romantic subplot, though acknowledging Arjun's debut dancing as a minor highlight amid otherwise uneven execution. Some outlets, like NETTV4U, offered more favorable notes on the script's neat execution, lead chemistry, and effective patriotic and action scenes, positioning these as strengths in an otherwise commercial outing. User reviews on echoed professional critiques, frequently citing poor storytelling, overacting, and reliance on generic goon fights for thrills, though a subset appreciated the film's unpretentious entertainment value. Overall, the consensus underscored Prema Baraha's commercial ambitions over substantive , with no major awards or critical acclaim following its release.

Audience and Cultural Reception

Audience members responded positively to Prema Baraha, particularly appreciating its emotional depth tied to the backdrop and the relatable portrayals of romance and patriotism. On BookMyShow, user reviews highlighted the film's entertainment value, with comments such as "VERY GOOD MOVIE" receiving 29 endorsements and "worth watching" garnering 11, reflecting approval for its blend of comedy, action, and sentiment. The IMDb audience rating stood at 7.2 out of 10 based on 99 votes, indicating broad satisfaction despite criticisms of formulaic storytelling in some user feedback. Culturally, the film resonated as a tribute to Indian soldiers, emphasizing their sacrifices during the 1999 Kargil conflict and portraying them as national heroes through dedicated scenes. A special screening was organized for army personnel on March 13, 2018, underscoring its intent to honor military service amid a commercial narrative. The title, drawn from and featuring a recreation of the classic song "Prema Baraha Koti Taraha," evoked nostalgia among regional viewers familiar with the original track's legacy in cinema. However, its cultural footprint remained confined to -speaking audiences, with no widespread discourse or lasting influence beyond patriotic sentiment in local releases.

Bilingual Differences and Impact

Prema Baraha in and Sollividava in Tamil were produced as a simultaneous bilingual project, sharing the same cast, storyline, and technical elements, with the core narrative centered on two journalists developing a romance while covering the 1999 . The versions differ primarily in dubbed dialogue and songs adapted to each language, allowing for localized linguistic delivery without substantive changes to plot, visuals, or sequencing. This approach facilitated efficient production but retained regional flavor through language-specific vocal performances by the actors. Both versions premiered worldwide on February 9, 2018, targeting distinct South Indian markets. The iteration succeeded commercially in , drawing strong openings driven by lead Chandan Kumar's local fame from television and a patriotic resonance that appealed to audiences, resulting in box-office hits in the state. Conversely, the Tamil release faced mixed reception in , with critics noting formulaic romance overshadowed by nationalism and lackluster pacing, which curtailed its earnings despite Arjun Sarja's involvement as director and the familial draw of his daughter Arjun's lead role. The bilingual strategy amplified visibility across linguistic boundaries but underscored market-specific variances: Kannada viewers embraced the film's blend of love and war heroism, boosting regional performance, while Tamil audiences critiqued its execution as derivative, reflecting broader challenges in cross-regional appeal for such productions. Overall, the Kannada version's triumph contrasted with the Tamil's underperformance, influencing perceptions of the film's viability beyond and highlighting Arjun Sarja's stronger directorial footprint in tempered by debut pressures.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6128124/
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6128124/plotsummary/
  3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6128124/releaseinfo/
  4. https://kannadamoviesinfo.wordpress.com/2018/02/09/prema-baraha-2018/
  5. https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/prema-baraha-review-mediocre-film-fails-capitalise-its-kargil-backdrop-76234
  6. https://www.deccanherald.com/content/658604/prema-baraha-packs-punch.html
  7. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/reviews/prema-baraha-movie-review-cinema-in-the-time-of-patriotism/articleshow/62854234.cms
  8. https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/100218/prema-baraha-movie-review-chandan-aishwarya-arjun.html
  9. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/prema-baraha/movie-review/62845395.cms
  10. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-details/prema-baraha/movieshow/61983675.cms
  11. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/prema_baraha
  12. https://moviekoop.com/Movie/Details/Prema-Baraha/171
  13. https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/19009/kannada/prema-baraha/cast-and-crew/
  14. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/prema_baraha/cast-and-crew
  15. https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2016/May/16/prema-baraha-by-arjun-sarja-904316.html
  16. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/arjun-sarjas-evergreen-song-prema-baraha-re-created-with-aishwarya-and-chandan/articleshow/58277830.cms
  17. https://www.indiaglitz.com/prema-baraha-launched-kannada-news-159474
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  19. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/trailers/kannada/prema-baraha-motion-poster/videoshow/59191329.cms
  20. https://www.imdb.com/news/ni61842593/
  21. https://www.zee5.com/zee5news/reasons-why-the-arjun-sarja-directorial-prema-baraha-should-be-on-your-weekend-watch-list/
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6128124/fullcredits/
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6128124/technical/
  24. https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/prema-baraha/5CStZW4UxS4_
  25. https://music.apple.com/us/album/prema-baraha-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1702914031
  26. https://open.spotify.com/album/2PHtxeJYBv2HF2fNHIRxq3
  27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P4B2v5e9ik
  28. https://gaana.com/album/prema-baraha
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  30. https://in.bookmyshow.com/movies/kolar/prema-baraha/ET00069184
  31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1OOH363xZk
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  33. https://www.indiaglitz.com/arjunaishu-prema-baraha-50-days-hindi-news-210398
  34. https://nettv4u.com/movie-review/kannada/prema-baraha
  35. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6128124/reviews/
  36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVK84MuUloM
  37. https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/interviews/2017/Dec/19/prema-baraha-is-a-classic-and-my-favourite-song-as-well-3659.html
  38. https://www.ibtimes.co.in/prema-baraha-sollividava-movie-review-live-audience-response-759955
  39. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/watch-aishwarya-arjun-shakes-a-leg-on-her-favourite-song-from-father-arjuns-film/articleshow/79824286.cms
  40. https://www.filmibeat.com/tamil/movies/sollividava.html
  41. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/sollividavaa/movie-review/62852280.cms
  42. https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sollividava-review-love-in-the-time-of-kargil-war/article22712361.ece
  43. https://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/tamil/2018/Feb/09/sollividava-a-wannabe-dil-se-4440.html
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