To his fans, Upendra's films are something very special. One film that they are really looking forward to is Masthi, produced by Ramu and directed by Shivamani.

Upendra plays Maasthi, an actual Bangalore-based don of the 1960s who struck terror in the city. Director Shivamani and dialogue writer Sai Krishna, who worked together for the blockbuster Jogi, have written a script based on Maasthi's life.

Maasthi was born and brought up in Maasthi village in Kolar district, from where he migrated to Bangalore and was forced to take up the sickle and sword. Nobody knew his real name.

According to Shivamani, the story of Maasthi is fascinating, and he has tried to present the film in the most realistic fashion. 

When the film was titled Maasthi, it faces a lot of opposition from literary personalities and pro-Kannada activists as that was the name of noted writer Maasthi Venkatesh Iyengar. They felt it would an insult to the great writer who has contributed so much to the Kannada literary field. The filmmakers removed one 'a' from the title and now it is Masthi.  

Upendra says the narration is the highlight of the film. It is for the first time Upendra is acting as a don. "I'm sure it will be a different film for Shivamani also. When I say it's a different film, I am not looking at one aspect. I want every aspect of the film -- the story, script, and music -- to be different."

Opposite him, Jennifer plays a simple Brahmin girl. The film's music is by Guru Kiran.

Text: RG Vijayasarathy