O2 (stylized as O2) is an Indian Kannada language medical thriller film written and directed by the duo of Raghav Nayak and Prashanth Raj, and produced by Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar under PRK Productions. The film has music composed by Vivan Radhakrishna and cinematography handled by Naveen Kumar S.[1]
| O2 | |
|---|---|
| Directed by |
|
| Written by |
|
| Produced by | Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Naveen Kumar S |
| Edited by | Deepu S. Kumar |
| Music by | Vivan Radhakrishna |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | KRG Studios |
Release date |
|
Running time | 109 Minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Kannada |
Principal photography commenced in October 2021 in Bengaluru. The film was released on 19 April 2024.[2] It opened to generally positive reviews with praise for its theme of medical research and the production house's intent to bring in fresh talent and ideas.
Synopsis
editDr. Shraddha Nayak, with the help of her colleagues, is working on O2 - a drug that can bring back the dead. Can she achieve a medical miracle?
Cast
edit- Praveen Tej as Dev
- Ashika Ranganath as Shraddha
- Sharvari as Young Shraddha
- Raaghav Naayak as Osho
- Prakash Belawadi as Dr. Mrutyunjay
- Shreedhar as Dr. Roy
- Gopal Krishna Deshpande as Nayak
- Puneeth B.A as Venky
- Siri Ravikumar as Shrushti
- Mohan as Dr. JK
- Aruna Balraj
- K.J. Pavan
- Sharanya as Anna
- Suma Rao as Prosecutor
Production
editDevelopment
editIn late 2020, It was reported that PRK Productions were to produce a film directed by debutants Raghav Nayak and Prashanth Raj, the film was said to be a thriller for which the directors had worked on the script for around 4 years.[3] The film began officially by conducting a Pooja in the presence of late Puneeth Rajkumar on 8 October 2021.[4][5]
Casting
editAshika Ranganath[6] was cast as the leading actor of the film alongside Praveen Tej, Siri Ravikumar, Prakash Belawadi and others.[7][8]
Filming
editThe film started its initial shoot after the muhurta held on 8 October 2021. However, the shooting was halted after the sudden demise of Puneeth Rajkumar on 29 October 2021. The team resumed shooting in January 2022 and was wrapped around September 2022.[9][10]
Soundtrack
edit| O2 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by Vivan Radhakrishna | ||||
| Released | 2024 | |||
| Recorded | 2023 | |||
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack | |||
| Length | 6:35 | |||
| Language | Kannada | |||
| Label | PRK Audio | |||
| Producer | Vivan Radhakrishna | |||
| Vivan Radhakrishna chronology | ||||
| ||||
Vivan Radhakrishna has composed the sound track and the background music for the film. The film has two songs and one background score.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ninagaage" | Jayanth Kaikini | Sanjith Hegde | 03:44 |
| 2. | "Nashey Nashey" | Vivan Radhakrishna | Vishwanath Acharya, Vivan Radhakrishna, Aditya Naik, Raghav Nayak | 02:51 |
| Total length: | 06:35 | |||
Release
editTheatrical
editThe release date of the film was announced along with the teaser of the film. The film was released across Karnataka on 19 April 2024 through KRG Studios.[11][12][13]
Reception
editThe film opened to generally positive reviews for its story, direction, and the actors' performances; however, its predictability and a few jarring sequences were criticized.
Sridevi S of The Times of India rated the film 3/5 stars and wrote "Despite shortcomings, O2 definitely comes with enough oxygen to keep the audience alive, and the film can be enjoyed in theatres with family."[14] Vivek MV of The Hindu also opined similar and wrote "This medical drama gets the job done despite its flaws. A brilliant Ashika Ranganath anchors 'O2', a medical thriller that almost nails its futuristic idea with its simple yet efficient story.[15] A Sharadhaa of The New Indian Express rated the film 3 out of 5 stars and in her review wrote "While O2 stands as a good attempt by the directorial duo to explore a unique blend of a medical thriller and romance with heartfelt storytelling, the straightforward narrative may make some aspects predictable."[16] Shashiprasad SM of Times Now rated the film 3 out of 5 and wrote "Barring the excessive usage of English and some dull moments, the film mainly deserves appreciation for its experimental attempt to deliver fresh content to the Kannada silver screen."[17] Pranati AS of Deccan Herald described the film as an "Interesting plot on medical research" but criticized the misogyny in the film's characters.[18]
Vinayak AS of Prajavani in his review appreciated the story, performance of the actors and the background score while criticism directed towards predictability and the songs which were not memorable.[19] Avinash Ram of VijayKarnataka described the film as "A medical thriller that unfolds a surprise in the medical world" and appreciated the writers for weaving various layers in the film smoothly. He also compared the film to the 1997 film "Manava 2022" and said though the idea looks similar, O2 is said in a scientific way.[20]
References
edit- ^ vinaykumar.patil. "O2 trailer OUT: Ashika Ranganath leads as 'Dr Shraddha', Sandalwood awaits new medical thriller". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ Sharadhaa, A. (18 April 2024). "Ashika Ranganath: With O2, the audience will see a very new me". Cinema Express. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ "Puneeth Rajkumar to produce medical thriller O2". The Times of India. 7 July 2020. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "Ashika Ranganath starrer 'O2' to go on floors today". The Times of India. 8 October 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "Appu sir was keen that I essay this role. How could I say no?: Ashika Rangnath". The Times of India. 17 March 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
- ^ "Ashika Ranganath's next is a medical thriller produced by Puneeth Rajkumar". OTTPlay. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
- ^ Sharadhaa, A. (14 September 2021). "Ashika Ranganath to headline a medical thriller titled O2". Cinema Express. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "A new onscreen experience for Ashika Ranganath". The Times of India. 8 October 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "It's a wrap for Praveen-Ashika starrer O2". The Times of India. 19 September 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ Sharadhaa, A. (11 January 2022). "O2 shoot to resume on January 22". Cinema Express. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "Ashika Ranganath's medical thriller O2 gets a release date". OTTPlay. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
- ^ GN, Ramyashree (19 March 2024). "PRK ಪ್ರೊಡಕ್ಷನ್ಸ್ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣದ 'O2' ಬಿಡುಗಡೆಗೆ ಸಿದ್ಧ; ಏಪ್ರಿಲ್ನಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಜ್ಯದಾದ್ಯಂತ ತೆರೆಗೆ". Kannada Prabha (in Kannada). Retrieved 31 March 2024.
- ^ ವಾರ್ತೆ, ಪ್ರಜಾವಾಣಿ. "Cinema News: ಏ.19ಕ್ಕೆ 'O2' ಸಿನಿಮಾ ರಿಲೀಸ್". Prajavani (in Kannada). Retrieved 7 April 2024.
- ^ "O2 Movie Review : O2 review: Science meets spirit science in this medical thriller". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ M.V, Vivek (19 April 2024). "'O2' movie review: This medical drama gets the job done despite its flaws". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Sharadhaa, A. (9 April 2024). "'O2' movie review: An experimental film with uneven thrills". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "O2 Movie Review:A Fairly Engaging Medical Thriller With Hard To Digest Facts". Times Now. 19 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ S, Pranati A. "'O2' movie review: Interesting plot on medical research". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ ಕೆ.ಎಸ್, ವಿನಾಯಕ. 'O2' ಸಿನಿಮಾ ವಿಮರ್ಶೆ: ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅರಳಿದ ಪ್ರೇಮ!. Prajavani (in Kannada). Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ "O2 Movie Review: ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಲೋಕದ ಅಚ್ಚರಿಯೊಂದನ್ನು ಬಿಚ್ಚಿಡುವ ಮೆಡಿಕಲ್ ಥ್ರಿಲ್ಲರ್". Vijay Karnataka (in Kannada). Retrieved 20 April 2024.