Oopiri (transl. Breath) is a 2016 Indian Telugu-language comedy-drama film directed by Vamshi Paidipally and produced by PVP Cinema. The film is shot simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil languages; the latter titled Thozha (transl. Friend). It stars Nagarjuna, Karthi (in his Telugu debut) and Tamannaah Bhatia while Prakash Raj, Ali, Vivek, Jayasudha, Kalpana and Tanikella Bharani playing supporting roles. The narrative focuses on the lives of Vikramaditya, a quadriplegic billionaire, and Seenu, his ex-convict caretaker, highlighting their realisation of the importance of life and relationships over money and disability.

Oopiri / Thozha
Theatrical release poster in Telugu
Directed byVamshi Paidipally
Screenplay by
Story by
  • Vamshi Paidipally
  • Hari
  • Solomon
Based onThe Intouchables
by Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyP. S. Vinod
Edited by
Music byGopi Sundar
Production
company
Release date
  • 25 March 2016 (2016-03-25)
Running time
  • 158 minutes (Telugu)[1]
  • 154 minutes (Tamil)[2]
CountryIndia
Languages
  • Telugu
  • Tamil

Oopiri is a remake of Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache's French film The Intouchables (2011). The rights to remake The Intouchables were acquired by Karan Johar and Guneet Monga in May 2014, who later authorised PVP Cinema to produce adaptations in regional languages, making Oopiri its first remake. Principal photography took place from March 2015 to February 2016 in locations including Chennai, Hyderabad, Paris, Belgrade and Novi Sad. Gopi Sundar composed the film's music, while P. S. Vinod was responsible for cinematography. Madhu and Praveen K. L. edited the Telugu and Tamil versions, respectively.

Oopiri and Thozha were released theatrically worldwide on 25 March 2016. Both films garnered critical acclaim for the performances of the lead actors, their cinematography and Vamshi Paidipally's direction in adapting the original story. The films won two awards at the 64th Filmfare Awards South: Best Director (Telugu) for Paidipally and Best Cinematography for P. S. Vinod. Additionally, Paidipally received the Best Director Award at the 6th South Indian International Movie Awards. Oopiri is regarded as one of the "25 Greatest Telugu Films of the Decade" by Film Companion.[3]

Plot

Vikramaditya is a wealthy entrepreneur. A paragliding accident in Paris leaves him a quadriplegic. For the sake of his girlfriend Nandini's happiness, Vikramaditya breaks off contact with her, hoping that she'll find and marry someone else.

Five years later, Vikramaditya leads a spiritless life with his secretary Keerthi, his cook Lakshmi, and a few house attendants. He and Keerthi interview candidates for a caretaker position- someone to help with everyday tasks like eating, getting clothed, and moving around. Many applicants seem obsequious and ingratiating. Seenu, a paroled convict, applies for the job in accordance with his lawyer's (Lingam) advice; the job would prove to the court that Seenu is leading a law-abiding life, closing his case. His mother, a railway clerk, disowns Seenu as she thinks that he is a bad influence on his siblings. He is detested by his mother and his siblings.

Vikramaditya, finding Seenu refreshingly honest and informal, hires him. He defends his decision to Prasad, his longtime friend and legal advisor, saying that Seenu is the right person for the time being since he is the only one who doesn't pity him. Though initially reluctant, Seenu learns to assists Vikramaditya with all his needs. He is attracted to Keerthi, but she often criticizes him for his irreverence.

Seenu learns that Vikramaditya has a purely epistolary relationship with a woman called Priya. Seenu encourages him to meet her, but Vikramaditya opposes it, fearing her reaction when she discovers his disability.

Seenu's younger sister, Swathi, seeks approval from her boyfriend's family for marriage, but they think Swathi's family too poor and irrespectable. While Seenu seeks to intervene on her behalf, Swathi scorns Seenu for landing in trouble and making their family disrespectable. Vikramaditya learns about Swathi's situation, and convinces Kalidasu (through Prasad) to go through with the marriage. The marriage is arranged, and Seenu earns Swathi's respect. Coming to know about this, Seenu tearfully thanks Vikram.

After celebrating his birthday, Vikramaditya becomes ill during the night, having trouble breathing, and is saved by his doctors. Seenu learns about Vikramaditya's adventurous past from Prasad, and suggests a vacation in Paris. Vikramaditya agrees and he, Seenu, and Keerthi leave for Paris. Seenu keeps Vikramaditya happy and boosts his morale, which impresses Keerthi. He makes a bet that he will ask Keerthi out if Vikramaditya impresses Jenny, a French dancer, on a date. Despite his disability, Vikramaditya charms Jenny with his wit and charm. Seenu is then forced to ask out Keerthi, who later accepts.

Seenu secretly arranges for Vikramaditya to meet Nandini, telling her about Vikramaditya's accident and its aftermath. Nandini is glad to see him and brings her husband Abhinav, and their daughter Aadhya to show him that she is happy.

Later, Seenu takes Vikramaditya on a motorcycle ride, and for one of the first times since the accident, Vikramaditya feels free, like the man he used to be.

Seenu's younger brother, Kanna, gets in trouble with a gang, and meets Seenu at Vikramaditya's mansion. Vikramaditya, recognising Seenu's need to support his family by being present, releases him from his obligations and suggests that he may not want to push a wheelchair all his life. Seenu becomes a cab driver and leads a responsible life, this time with his family's love and acceptance, but Vikramaditya becomes unhappy and becomes a recluse.

A worried Prasad contacts Seenu, who arrives and drives Vikramaditya off in a car to Visakhapatnam (Pondicherry in Tamil version). They dress elegantly and visit a restaurant with a beautiful ocean view. Seenu leaves moments before Priya arrives. Vikramaditya looks outside through the window and sees Seenu, who smiles at him and walks away.

Cast

Nagarjuna was credited first in the Telugu version and Karthi was credited first in the Tamil version.

Cameo appearance

Production

Development

Karan Johar and Guneet Monga acquired the Indian remake rights to Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache's French comedy drama film, The Intouchables (2011) in May 2014. They planned a Hindi version, directed by Mohit Suri.[4] Johar and Monga later authorised PVP Cinema to remake the film in regional languages, postponing their previous plans. Vamshi Paidipally was chosen to direct a Telugu film titled Oopiri.[5] Oopiri is the first Indian remake of The Intouchables. It was also the first Indian remake of a film produced by Gaumont Film Company.[6]

N. T. Rama Rao Jr. was signed to play one of the two male leads. At Rama Rao's suggestion, Paidipally forwarded the script to actor and producer Nagarjuna for the other male lead. Nagarjuna asked the director to remove the flashback scenes, opting for a realistic version closer to the original. Paidipally agreed, and the script was reworked in two months.[7] Production was scheduled to begin in December 2014, when Nagarjuna would be available. In an interview with Deccan Chronicle, the actor said that the film's theme would be similar to Missamma (1955).[8] Rama Rao Jr. left the project due to scheduling conflicts with Nannaku Prematho (2016),[9] and was replaced by Karthi in October 2014.[10] Karthi's inclusion in the film led the makers to make the film as a bilingual titled Thozha in Tamil.[10]

Gopi Sundar was signed as the film's music director, his first collaboration with Paidipally.[11] Oopiri had two launch ceremonies: the first on 11 February 2015 in Hyderabad[12] and the second on 15 March in Chennai. P. S. Vinod was the film's cinematographer.[13] Paidipally worked on the screenplay, assisted by Hari and Solomon with the adaptation.[14] Abburi Ravi wrote the dialogue for Oopiri,[15] and Karthi asked filmmaker Raju Murugan to do the same for Thozha.[16] Madhu and Praveen K. L. edited the Telugu and Tamil versions, respectively.[5]

Casting

I couldn't use any gestures apart from speech and facial expressions. For a few scenes, they tied my hands beneath my jacket so that, involuntarily, I wouldn't move my limbs. I felt like a Bharatanatyam dancer, having to emote with my eyes.

 – Nagarjuna on playing a quadriplegic, in a March 2016 interview with The Hindu[7]

Nagarjuna played the wheelchair-using quadriplegic in the film, and a ₹25 lakh customised wheelchair was imported from Sweden for the role.[17] An assistant checked to see if the actor moved his limbs during filming, and scenes had to be re-shot a number of times. Nagarjuna found the process "extremely challenging", and his legs sometimes became numb.[18] Oopiri was Karthi's first Telugu film, although he was popular with Telugu-speaking audiences who saw dubbed versions of his Tamil films. Rajeev Kamineni of PVP Cinema told The Hindu that Karthi was cast to combine actors who were audience favourites and had not collaborated before.[19]

 
Tamannaah Bhatia (right) was cast as the female lead when Shruti Haasan (left) left the film due to scheduling conflicts.

Karthi played the caretaker, reprising Omar Sy's role in the original.[20] He called his character "terribly insensitive", but becoming refined at the end.[21] Despite his fluency in Telugu, Karthi wanted to practice his dialogue in advance since scenes in both languages would be shot at the same time.[22] He had to be louder in Oopiri, and used local Tamil slang in Thozha.[23] The actor said that some changes were made in the remake, since some situations in the original "just could not work in the Indian scenario".[20] Shruti Haasan was chosen as the female lead in January 2015.[24] After she walked out in March, citing scheduling conflicts, she was replaced by Tamannaah Bhatia.[25] Her character, Keerthi, was modelled on the secretary and the caretaker in the original.[26] The actress had to look corporate for the role, which she called a "bridge of sorts between the protagonists"; she was a "constant spectator to every emotion they go through".[27]

After Haasan left the film, PVP Cinema claimed that her scheduled dates (from 10 December 2014 to 8 April 2015) were assigned for her convenience and the actress was civilly and criminally liable. The Nampally city court restricted her from agreeing to any new film and ordered a police investigation.[28] According to Haasan's spokesperson, neither the actress nor Raaj Kamal Films International were legally notified.[29] Haasan withdrew her defamation suit in April 2015 after R. Sarathkumar and Kalaipuli S. Thanu intervened, and the court dismissed PVP Cinema's case.[30]

Prakash Raj, Ali, Vivek, and Tanikella Bharani were cast in key supporting roles,[14][15] with Jayasudha and Nikkita Anil playing Karthi's mother and sister.[31][32] Kalpana made her Telugu-film debut in Oopiri,[15] but she died in her sleep at age 50 during filming in Hyderabad.[33] Anushka Shetty and Adivi Sesh made cameo appearances as a couple;[34] the former played Nagarjuna's ex-girlfriend in the film.[35] Gabriella Demetriades was cast in August 2015 after auditioning with five other international models in Hyderabad,[36] and the film was her South Indian acting debut.[37] Nora Fatehi made a special appearance in a song,[38] and Shriya Saran had a cameo appearance.[39] The Telugu and Tamil versions had a slightly different supporting cast to suit the nativity of both audiences.[5]

Filming

 
Oopiri is the first South Indian film to be made in Belgrade (pictured).[40]

According to PVP Cinema's Kamineni, a substantial portion of Oopiri would be filmed abroad.[19] Principal photography began in Chennai on 16 March 2015. Scenes with Karthi and Jayasudha were filmed in a purpose-built house set.[31] By the time Haasan left the film, the first shooting schedule had wrapped.[28] After completing schedules in Chennai and Hyderabad, Karthi and Tamannaah joined the film set in Dubai in May; several scenes were filmed in a rented, palatial house.[41] Paidipally, who planned a 25-day shooting schedule in Paris and Lyon beginning in June, left to scout locations.[42] A month-long European shooting schedule began in July in Belgrade and Novi Sad, and Oopiri was the first South Indian film made there. After Belgrade and Novi Sad, filming continued in Paris, Lyon and Ljubljana.[43] Key scenes, including a car chase, and some songs were filmed as part of the schedule.

The car-chase scene was filmed over eight nights, due to changes in the weather. It was shot near the Eiffel Tower, which Paidipally called the "obvious choice to show the moment of triumph" in Vikramaditya's life.[44] On 1 August, Nagarjuna tweeted that the shooting schedule would wrap in ten days.[45] A song including Nagarjuna, Karthi, and Fatehi was filmed in November in Hyderabad.[38] Principal photography wrapped in February 2016, and post-production commenced shortly.[46] Thozha's filming was delayed due to Nagarjuna's lack of fluency in Tamil,[7] but at Karthi's insistence he delivered his own lines.[47] Tamannaah found her dialogue simple and realistic and delivered her own lines in Oopiri, the first Telugu film to include her voice.[26]

Music

Gopi Sundar composed the film's score and seven-song soundtrack.[48][49] Ramajogayya and Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry wrote the Telugu version's lyrics, and the lyrics for Thozha's soundtrack were by Madhan Karky.[50] According to Karky, all the lyrics in Oopiri except "Door Number Okati" had different meanings in Thozha, and Karthi and Paidipally wanted Thozha's songs to suit the Tamil audience's sensibilities.[50] The soundtrack of the Telugu version was unveiled on 14 February 2016 (Valentine's Day)[48] at the Hitex Convention Centre in Hyderabad, while the Tamil version was released on 21 February 2016,[49] at St. Bede's School in Chennai amid much fanfare.[51] Both the albums were marketed by Times Music South.

The Times of India gave Oopiri's soundtrack four stars, calling it a "winner on all counts" and Sunder is "increasingly becoming a force to be reckon with in [Telugu cinema]".[52] Karthik Srinivasan, writing for The Hindu, praised Sunder's usage of solo violin pieces and chorus hooks in Thozha's "Pudhidhaa" ("Oka Life" in Oopiri).[53] Siddharth K of Sify noted that the soundtrack of Thozha has influences of Malayalam film soundtracks in the slow-paced songs despite being designed keeping the Telugu and Tamil sensibilities in mind. He found the songs "Baby Odathey" ("Baby Aagodhu" in Telugu), "Nagarum" ("Eppudu" in Telugu), and "Eiffel Mele" ("Ayyo Ayyo" in Telugu) likeable and gave the soundtrack three stars.[54]

All lyrics are written by Ramajogayya Sastry and Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry.

Oopiri
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Baby Aagodhu"Shankar Mahadevan2:39
2."Oka Life"Karthik4:46
3."Ayyo Ayyo"Ranjith, Suchitra3:48
4."Nevvemicchavo"Vijay Prakash2:07
5."Podham"Haricharan4:45
6."Door Number Okati"Geetha Madhuri4:05
7."Eppudu"Karthik4:47
Total length:27:36

All lyrics are written by Madhan Karky.

Thozha
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Baby Odadhe"Shankar Mahadevan2:39
2."Pudidha"Karthik4:46
3."Eiffel Mele"Ranjith, Suchitra3:48
4."Enadhuyire"Vijay Prakash2:07
5."Thozha"Anirudh Ravichander, Haricharan4:45
6."Door Number One"Geetha Madhuri4:05
7."Nagarum"Karthik4:47
Total length:27:36

Release

Theatrical

Oopiri and Thozha were theatrically released worldwide on 25 March 2016.[55]

Home media

The digital rights of Oopiri and Thozha were purchased by YuppTV, a leading television content provider in South.[56] The premiere of the film took place on 3 May 2016 after its theatrical run ended.[57] The television broadcast rights were acquired by Sun TV Network; and the global television premiere of the Tamil version Thozha was held on 2 October 2016 coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti.[58]

Reception

Critical response

Nagarjuna (left) and Karthi (right) were critically acclaimed for their performances as a quadriplegic billionaire and his caretaker, respectively.

The films received positive critical reception.[59]

Baradwaj Rangan, writing for The Hindu, found Thozha enjoyable despite its lack of narrative finesse and called it a light, pleasant film comparable to Bangalore Days (2014).[60] Sangeetha Devi Dundoo, also in The Hindu, gave Oopiri four stars and called it a "rare film that justifies its hype". She wrote that Nagarjuna's portrayal of Vikramaditya was "age-defying, graceful and restrained" and praised the rest of the cast, Vinod's cinematography, and Sunder's score.[61] Pranita Jonnalagedda of The Times of India gave Oopiri four stars out of five, writing that it "sets a benchmark for adaptations in Telugu cinema" and "paves the way for more exciting genres". She praised the principal cast's performances and the film's climax.[62]

According to Anupama Subramaniam of Deccan Chronicle, Thozha had an "alluring story" supported by "extraordinary performances, sound technical departments and rich production values". Suresh Kavirayani, also in Deccan Chronicle, found Oopiri a "beautiful and emotional journey". Both gave the film 3.5 stars out of five.[63][64] Writing for India Today, Kirubhakar Purushothaman also gave the film 3.5 stars out of five, calling it a decent remake which "retains the soul of the original" with "the right cast and the perfect team".[65] Karthik Keramalu of News18 also gave Oopiri 3.5 stars out of five. Keramalu called it the best of Paidipally's career so far and praised the principal cast's performances.[66]

S. Saraswathi of Rediff.com gave Thozha three stars out of five, praising the film's screenplay, visuals, and performances.[67] Sify also gave the film three stars out of five and called it a "breezy feel good ride"; its reviewer praised its performances and visuals, but criticised its length.[68] Gautaman Bhaskaran, writing for the Hindustan Times, gave Thozha 2.5 stars out of five; Bhaskaran found the film "[u]nduly verbose" and wrote that it "loses its sense of male bonding—particularly after it veers into love stories".[69]

Box office

Oopiri and Thozha grossed ₹20 crore at the box office within four days, as reported by trade analyst Trinath.[70] The film further increased its total gross to ₹27 crore in its first week and earned $1 million in the overseas market during that time, according to Firstpost.[71]

Accolades

Date of ceremony Award Category Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Result Ref.
28—29 March 2017 IIFA Utsavam Best Film – Telugu Oopiri Nominated [72]
Best Director – Telugu Vamshi Paidipally Nominated
Best Supporting Actor – Tamil Nagarjuna Won
Best Actor – Tamil Karthi Nominated
Best Supporting Actress – Telugu Jayasudha Nominated
Best Actor In A Comic Role – Telugu Prakash Raj Nominated
Best Music Director – Telugu Gopi Sundar Nominated
Best Lyricist – Telugu Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry ("Podham") Nominated
Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu Haricharan ("Podham") Nominated
Best Female Playback Singer – Telugu Suchitra ("Ayyo Ayyo") Nominated
17 June 2017 Filmfare Awards South Best Film – Telugu Oopiri Nominated [73]
Best Director – Telugu Vamshi Paidipally Won
Best Cinematographer – Telugu P. S. Vinod Won
Best Actor – Telugu Karthi Nominated
Best Supporting Actor – Telugu Akkineni Nagarjuna Nominated
Best Lyricist – Telugu Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry ("Oka Life") Nominated
30 June — 1 July 2017 South Indian International Movie Awards Best Director – Telugu Vamshi Paidipally Won [74]
[75]
Best Actor – Tamil Karthi Nominated
Best Supporting Actress – Telugu Jayasudha Nominated

Legacy

Inspired by the film, paraplegic television personality Sujatha Barla established the Challengers on Wheels-Celebrating Life community for physically disabled people in April 2016.[76] Judge G. Neelima took 60 underprivileged female students in Balasadan, Warangal to a special screening of Oopiri on the eve of Ugadi.[a][78]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Ugadi celebrates the new year on the Deccan. It falls on a different day each year because the Hindu calendar is lunisolar.[77]

References

  1. ^ "Oopiri". British Board of Film Classification. Archived from the original on 31 January 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Thozha". British Board of Film Classification. Archived from the original on 31 January 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  3. ^ "25 Greatest Telugu Films Of The Decade". filmcompanion.in. Archived from the original on 17 October 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
  4. ^ Sharma, Garima (31 May 2014). "Karan signs Mohit for the remake of The Intouchables". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 August 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  5. ^ a b c Pillai, Sreedhar (4 April 2016). "How 'Oopiri', 'Thozha' got remake formula right, to become major box office hits". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 2 August 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  6. ^ "French producers applaud 'Oopiri'". Sify. 1 April 2016. Archived from the original on 7 April 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  7. ^ a b c Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (17 March 2016). "I was their only hope: Nagarjuna on 'Oopiri'". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2 August 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  8. ^ Kavirayani, Suresh (28 August 2014). "Bhai was like a big slap on my face: Nagarjuna". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 18 March 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  9. ^ "When Jr NTR rejected Nagarjuna's movie". The Hans India. 11 January 2016. Archived from the original on 2 August 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  10. ^ a b Kavirayani, Suresh (19 October 2014). "Nagarjuna and Karthi starring together". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2 August 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  11. ^ Kumar, Hemanth (11 February 2015). "Gopi Sunder to score music for Nagarjuna-Karthi's film". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 18 March 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  12. ^ "Excited to work with Nagarjuna: Karthi". The Times of India. 12 February 2015. Archived from the original on 18 March 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  13. ^ "Karthi- Nagarjuna bilingual begins with a pooja". Sify. 16 March 2015. Archived from the original on 19 March 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  14. ^ a b "మార్చిలోనే నా(గ్) ఊపిరి !" [Nagarjuna's Oopiri to release this March!]. Suryaa (in Telugu). 15 February 2016. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  15. ^ a b c Ramachandran, Mythily (23 March 2016). "A French blockbuster gets a Tamil/Telugu remake". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  16. ^ Karthik, Janani (28 February 2016). "I want to build KB-Kamal kind of bond with Mani Ratnam". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  17. ^ Jonnalagedda, Pranita (26 March 2016). "Nagarjuna's wheelchair in Oopiri cost Rs 25 lakh!". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  18. ^ "Character in 'Oopiri' took toll on me: Nagarjuna". The Indian Express. Indo-Asian News Service. 21 February 2016. Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  19. ^ a b J Rao, Subha (24 October 2014). "When Nagarjuna meets Karthi". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 18 March 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  20. ^ a b Bhaskaran, Gautaman (19 March 2016). "Thozha in Tamil is that fascinating French film, The Intouchables". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  21. ^ J Rao, Subha (19 March 2016). "Nagarjuna is almost like a brother: Karthi". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  22. ^ Subramanian, Anupama (4 January 2015). "Karthi polishing his Telugu". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 18 March 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  23. ^ Rajamani, Radhika (22 March 2016). "It was surprising that a Telugu director wanted to do a film with me". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  24. ^ Kumar, Hemanth (3 January 2015). "Shruti confirms acting in Nag-Karthi film". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 18 March 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  25. ^ Kavirayani, Suresh (29 March 2015). "Shruti is out and Tamannaah wins". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 29 March 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2015.
  26. ^ a b Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (16 March 2016). "Tamannaah: I've always wanted to be an actor, not just a heroine". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  27. ^ Jonnalagedda, Pranita (21 March 2016). "Oopiri is not a film for the 'class' or 'mass'. It has a universal appeal: Tamannaah". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  28. ^ a b "Shruthi in the soup, can't sign new films". The Times of India. 28 March 2015. Archived from the original on 28 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  29. ^ "Shruti Haasan denies receiving any legal notice". Deccan Chronicle. 27 March 2015. Archived from the original on 28 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  30. ^ "Shruti Haasan withdraws defamation claim against the producers". Deccan Chronicle. Press Trust of India. 21 April 2015. Archived from the original on 21 April 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  31. ^ a b Karthik, Janani (16 March 2015). "Karthi-Nag film goes on floors". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 18 March 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  32. ^ "Nikkita gets busy in Tamil". The Hans India. 29 October 2015. Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  33. ^ Krishnamoorthy, Suresh (26 January 2016). "Malayalam actor Kalpana passes away". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 3 August 2016.
  34. ^ Jonnalagadda, Pranitha (19 September 2015). "Adivi Sesh to play Anushka's hubby in Oopiri". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 20 September 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
  35. ^ Jonnalagadda, Pranitha (9 September 2015). "Anushka to play Nag's ex flame in The Intouchables remake". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 9 September 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2015.
  36. ^ Karthik, Janani (7 August 2015). "Gabriella bags a cameo in Karthi-Nag film". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 August 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  37. ^ "Lucky to be working with Akkineni Nagarjuna: Gabriella Demetriades". The Indian Express. Indo-Asian News Service. 25 August 2015. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  38. ^ a b Jonnalagedda, Pranita (24 November 2015). "Nora Fatehi's item song will add a desi tadka to the Intouchables remake". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  39. ^ Rajamani, Radhika (23 January 2016). "Shriya Saran makes a cameo in Oopiri". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  40. ^ "First south Indian film to be shot in Belgrade is Karthi's next". The Times of India. 3 July 2015. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  41. ^ Subramaniam, Anupama (13 May 2015). "Karthi and Tamannaah off to Dubai to shoot Vamsi Paidipally's untitled film". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  42. ^ Kumar, Hemanth (10 May 2015). "T-Town celebs flock to Europe". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  43. ^ "Nagarjuna and Karthi to shoot in Europe for next". The Times of India. 1 July 2015. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  44. ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi; Nadadhur, Srivathsan (30 June 2016). "Movie moments that linger". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  45. ^ "Nag, Karthi and Tamannaah in France". Sify. 1 August 2015. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  46. ^ "'Oopiri' wraps up shoot, gears up for release". Sify. 15 February 2016. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  47. ^ "King Steps Out of Comfort Zone". The New Indian Express. 18 March 2016. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  48. ^ a b Sunder, Gopi (14 February 2016). "Oopiri (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  49. ^ a b Sunder, Gopi (21 February 2016). "Thozha (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  50. ^ a b Nadadhur, Srivathsan (7 April 2016). "Keeping a song's spirit intact". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  51. ^ "Thozha audio launched amid much fanfare". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  52. ^ "Music Review: Oopiri". The Times of India. 15 February 2016. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  53. ^ Srinivasan, Karthik (25 April 2016). "Hitman". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  54. ^ Siddharth, K (24 February 2016). "'Thozha' audio review". Sify. Archived from the original on 31 August 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  55. ^ "Thozha trailer: Nagarjuna, Karthi's film is cocktail of fun, drama and stunning visuals". India Today. 13 March 2016. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  56. ^ "YuppTV Announces the Digital Premiere of 2016 Blockbusters, Oopiri and Thozha!". indiainfoline.com. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  57. ^ "YuppTV Announces the Digital Premiere of 2016 Blockbusters, Oopiri and Thozha!". businesswire.com. 3 May 2016. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  58. ^ "Thozha – Gandhi Jayanthi Spl Premiere Movie Promo". SunTV Tamil. 28 September 2016. Archived from the original on 13 July 2017. Retrieved 29 September 2016 – via YouTube.
  59. ^ "Thozha box office collection: Nagarjuna, Karthi's film opens to a positive response". India Today. 30 March 2016. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  60. ^ Rangan, Baradwaj (26 March 2016). "Thozha: Friends forever". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  61. ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (25 March 2016). "Oopiri: Celebration of life, indeed". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  62. ^ Jonnalagedda, Pranita (25 March 2016). "Oopiri Movie Review". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  63. ^ Kavirayani, Suresh (26 March 2016). "Oopiri movie review: A beautiful and emotional journey". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  64. ^ Subramaniam, Anupama (26 March 2016). "Thozha movie review: A film not to be missed!". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  65. ^ Purushothaman, Kirubhakar (26 March 2016). "Oopiri/Thozha review: All the right buttons pressed in this Karthi-Nagarjuna film". India Today. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  66. ^ Keramalu, Karthik (26 March 2016). "'Oopiri' review: It is a tragicomedy with a spoonful of Hyderabadi dum biryani". News18. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  67. ^ Saraswathi, S. (26 March 2016). "Review: Thozha is a fun-filled entertainer". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  68. ^ "Thozha review: Breezy feel-good entertainer". Sify. 26 March 2016. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  69. ^ Bhaskaran, Gautaman (25 March 2016). "Thozha review: Love stories intrude into this male bonding". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  70. ^ "Akkineni Nagarjuna, Karthi starrer 'Thozha' strikes gold at the box office". The Indian Express. Indo-Asian News Service. 30 March 2016. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  71. ^ Pillai, Sreedhar (4 April 2016). "How 'Oopiri', 'Thozha' got remake formula right, to become major box office hits". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  72. ^ "IIFA Utsavam: Complete winner's list". The Indian Express. 30 March 2017. Archived from the original on 29 July 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  73. ^ "Winners of the 64th Jio Filmfare Awards". Filmfare. 17 June 2017. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  74. ^ "SIIMA 2017 Nominations". The Indian Express. 31 May 2017. Archived from the original on 5 July 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  75. ^ "Winners of the SIIMA 2017 Day 1". India Today. 1 July 2017. Archived from the original on 9 October 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  76. ^ Nadadhur, Srivathsan (6 April 2016). "'Oopiri' inspires Sujatha to find an association". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  77. ^ "Ugadi a time to rejoice". The Hindu. 4 April 2005. Archived from the original on 24 February 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  78. ^ "Balasadan girls get a rare treat". The Hindu. 9 April 2016. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.