Ugramm was pirated within 20 days of release: Prashanth

I couldn’t move forward without doing justice to that story: Prashanth

I will take it as a compliment, as both are my films: Prahhanth

Ever since the release of the trailer of “Salaar: Part 1- ceasefire” there was a speculation, especially among the Kannada audience that the film was heavily inspired by Prashanth Neel’s debut film “Ugramm.” The producer of the film Vijay Kirgandur of the Hombale Group had dismissed the rumours and had backed Prashanth Neel. 

In a recent interview with Cinema Express however, Prashanth Neel’s statements have led to more ambiguity in this regard. “I always envisioned the audience watching ‘Ugramm’ in a packed theatre, but it wasn’t fulfilled during its release. The film was pirated within 20 days of release. Despite KGF’s success, I couldn’t move forward without doing justice to that story. Ugramm holds a special place in my heart, I wanted it to reach the heights of KGF. I don’t see it as a remake though. I’ve made changes for it to suit Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Some might criticise that it’s a mix of Ugramm’s story and KGF’s style of making, but I will take it as a compliment, as both are my films,” he stated. 

Prashanth Neel also expressed that moving forward his film making career would contain more variety in terms of the themes and that having access to the pan-India market allows for that.