Laughing Buddha (film)

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Laughing Buddha
Laughing Buddha (film).jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byM. Bharath Raj
Screenplay by
  • M. Bharath Raj
  • Anirudh Mahesh
  • Akarsh H P
Story byM. Bharath Raj
Produced by Rishab Shetty
Dialogues byM. Bharath Raj
Anirudh Mahesh
Raghu Niduvalli
Starring
CinematographyS. Chandrasekaran
Edited byK. M. Prakash
Music by Vishnu Vijay
Production
company
Rishab Shetty Films
Distributed by KRG Studios [1]
Release date
  • 30 August 2024 (2024-08-30)
Running time
136 minutes [2]
CountryIndia
LanguageKannada

Laughing Buddha is a 2024 Indian Kannada-language comedy drama film written and directed by M. Bharath Raj. The film is produced by Rishab Shetty under Rishab Shetty Films banner. The film stars Pramod Shetty, Teju Belawadi, Sundar Raj, and Diganth. [3] The cinematography was handled by S. Chandrasekaran, while the editing was done by K. M. Prakash and music by Vishnu Vijay in his Kannada Debut. [4]

Contents

The film was released on 30 August 2024 to generally positive reviews from critics and audience alike.

Plot

The film involves a soft-hearted cop who loves food, family and his profession—in that order—and the chaos that ensues when he is told that his weight could lead to his dismissal from his job. Can he reduce his weight in time to get back into the police force like he wishes to?

Cast

Production

Development

Laughing Buddha was produced by Rishab Shetty under his banner Rishab Shetty Films, [5] marking his fourth production venture. M. Bharath Raj conceived the story with Pramod Shetty in mind for the lead role, after co-directing with Rishab Shetty on Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shaale, Kasaragodu, Koduge: Ramanna Rai . Bharath Raj narrated the story to Rishab, who was impressed and decided to produce the film. [6] The project was officially announced on 31 August 2020, with the unveiling of the first look poster and title. [7]

Filming

Principal photography was initially scheduled for October 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and scheduling conflicts with the cast. [8] [9] During this time, director M. Bharath Raj utilized the production delays to rewrite and improvise the script, further refining the story. Filming eventually resumed in March 2023 [10] [11] and concluded on 29 June 2023. [12] Major portions were filmed in Bhadravati, Karnataka, with additional scenes shot in Bangalore and Kargal. [13] [14] The crew transformed an old building located in Bhadravati into a police station for the production. [15] [12]

Casting

Pramod Shetty underwent a substantial physical transformation, gaining thirty kilograms in weight, to prepare for his role. [16] Teju Belawadi, known for her role in Gantumoote (2019), was cast as the female lead in this film. [17] Rishab Shetty was initially considered for a pivotal role but, due to scheduling conflicts, Diganth was cast instead. [18] [19] Diganth's involvement in the film was officially announced in May 2023. [20]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack of the film was composed by Vishnu Vijay. [21] [22]

Laughing Buddha
Soundtrack album by
Vishnu Vijay
Released2024
Genre Feature film soundtrack
Length7:12
LanguageKannada
Label Rishab Shetty FIlms
Producer Vishnu Vijay
Vishnu Vijay chronology
Premalu
(2024)		Laughing Buddha
(2024)
Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Entha Chendane Ivalu" K. Kalyan Kapil Kapilan, Vishnu Vijay 3:40
2."Belagge Belagge"Pramod Maravanthe Vijay Prakash 3:32
Total length:7:12

Release

Laughing Buddha was initially announced to be released on 23 August 2024, [15] but was rescheduled and released on 30 August 2024. [23] [24] [25] [1]

Reception

The film generally received positive reviews with appreciation towards the story, direction and the acting of the entire cast.

Shashiprasad SM of Times Now rated the film three-and-a-half out of five stars and wrote, "Unlike most police stories which show them in bad light, this one focuses on the personal side with some good humour attached to it." [26] Prathibha Joy of OTTplay gave it three out of five stars and wrote, "Bharath Raj M’s film is simple fun; there’s nothing ground-breaking about it and you’ll probably figure out where it’s headed miles before you get to the finish line. It’s a decent one-time watch with family, even though a couple of expletives are slipped in." [27] Reviewing for Deccan Herald, Sujay B.M wrote "A gentle, humorous take on obesity in the police force and added the film is timely amid growing concerns about the lack of physical fitness amongst the police — largely attributed to overworking and a high-stress work environment." [28]

Sunayana Suresh of The South First gave it three-and-a-half out of five stars and wrote, "Laughing Buddha is an ideal family film, blending laughter, romance, and drama in just the right amounts." [29] Vivek M. V. of The Hindu wrote that "Laughing Buddha is more enjoyable for its empathetic take on the stressful lives of police officers than for its sub-plot involving a mysterious criminal". [2] A critic from The Times of India gave it three-and-a-half out of five stars and wrote that "Despite a few minor flaws, Laughing Buddha is a worthwhile watch for a weekend." [30] A Sharadhaa of Cinema Express rated the movie 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "Laughing Buddha is proof that it can and that even hefty topics can be approached with humour, keeping audiences entertained while reflecting on real-life challenges." [31]

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References

  1. 1 2 "ಆ.15ಕ್ಕೆ ಟ್ರೇಲರ್, 30ಕ್ಕೆ ಸಿನಿಮಾ: ಚಿತ್ರದ ಅನುಭವ ಹಂಚಿಕೊಂಡ 'ಲಾಫಿಂಗ್ ಬುದ್ದ' ತಂಡ - Laughing Buddha". ETV Bharat News (in Kannada). 8 August 2024. Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  2. 1 2 M.V, Vivek (30 August 2024). "'Laughing Buddha' movie review: A humorous, non-judgemental look at the everyday lives of police officers". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  3. ↑ "Kannada Film Laughing Buddha, Produced By Rishab Shetty, To Release In July". News18. 3 April 2024. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  4. ↑ "Rishab Shetty shares his admiration for police officers and reason to back Laughing Buddha". Cinema Express. 10 April 2024. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  5. ↑ "Rishab Shetty's 'Laughing Buddha' Trailer Is 'Fat' Artistic". Times Now. 16 August 2024. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  6. ↑ "ಪ್ರಮೋದ್‌ ಶೆಟ್ಟಿ ಹೊಸ ಸಿನಿಮಾ 'ಲಾಫಿಂಗ್‌ ಬುದ್ಧ'! ಹೀರೋ ಪಾತ್ರಕ್ಕಾಗಿ 110 ಕೆಜಿ ಆಗಲಿರುವ ನಟ!". Vijay Karnataka (in Kannada). 1 September 2020. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  7. ↑ Sharadhaa, A. (3 September 2020). "Pramod Shetty to be face of Laughing Buddha". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  8. ↑ "Pramod Shetty-ಅತಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ತೂಕವಿರುವ ಹೆಡ್‌ ಕಾನ್‌ಸ್ಟೆಬಲ್‌ ಕಥೆಯೇ 'ಲಾಫಿಂಗ್ ಬುದ್ಧ'; ಪ್ರಮೋದ್ ಶೆಟ್ಟಿ ಹೀರೋ". Vijay Karnataka (in Kannada). 9 May 2023. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  9. ↑ "Rishab Shetty & Co. seek divine blessings as comedy-drama Laughing Buddha gets underway". www.ottplay.com. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  10. ↑ "Laughing Buddha, backed by Rishab Shetty, goes on floors". The New Indian Express. 8 March 2023. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  11. ↑ "Pramod Shetty Starrer Laughing Buddha Goes On Floors In Bhadravathi". Outlook India. 15 March 2023. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  12. 1 2 "Rishab Shetty Backed Laughing Buddha's Shooting Wrapped Up". News18. 30 June 2023. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  13. ↑ "ರಿಷಬ್ ಶೆಟ್ಟಿ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣದ 'ಲಾಫಿಂಗ್ ಬುದ್ಧ' ಚಿತ್ರತಂಡದಿಂದ ಪೊಲೀಸ್ ಧ್ವಜ ದಿನದ ಶುಭಾಶಯ - Laughing Buddha". ETV Bharat News (in Kannada). 2 April 2024. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  14. ↑ "ಪೊಲೀಸರ ಕಥೆ-ಲಾಫಿಂಗ್ ಬುದ್ಧನ ವ್ಯಥೆ; ಕಾಂತಾರ ಶೆಟ್ರ ಈ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಇದೀಗ ಎಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಬಂತು ಮಾರಾಯ್ರೆ?". News18 ಕನ್ನಡ (in Kannada). 2 April 2024. Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  15. 1 2 "Pramod Shetty's cop flick Laughing Buddha sets theatrical release date". www.ottplay.com. 9 July 2024. Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  16. ↑ "Laughing Buddha's Pramod Shetty says that Rishab and Rakshit Shetty did not believe he could get in shape for Richard Anthony". OTTPlay. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  17. ↑ Sharadhaa, A. (11 August 2024). "Teju Belawadi: Rishab Shetty producing Laughing Buddha a bumper offer". Cinema Express.
  18. ↑ "Laughing Buddha: Kantara star Rishab Shetty was to play THIS role in Pramod Shetty-led film". www.ottplay.com. Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  19. ↑ "'Laughing Buddha' gets a new release date". The New Indian Express. 12 August 2024. Archived from the original on 11 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  20. ↑ Sharadhaa, A. (8 May 2023). "Diganth joins the cast of Rishab Shetty's Laughing Buddha". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  21. ↑ "Entha Chendane Ivalu (From "Laughing Buddha") MP3 Song Download | Entha Chendane Ivalu (From "Laughing Buddha") @ WynkMusic". Wynk Music. Archived from the original on 22 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  22. ↑ "Belagge Belagge (From "Laughing Buddha") (Full Song) - Belagge Belagge (From "Laughing Buddha") - Download or Listen Free - JioSaavn". JioSaavn . 27 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  23. ↑ "Pramod Shetty's Laughing Buddha gets a new release date". www.ottplay.com. 7 August 2024. Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  24. ↑ "Rishab Shetty's 'Laughing Buddha' Set For August 30 Release". Times Now. 8 August 2024. Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  25. ↑ "'Laughing Buddha', from Rishab Shetty Films, gets a new release date". The Hindu. 10 August 2024. Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  26. ↑ "Laughing Buddha Movie Review: A Sensible Police Story Which Is Fit, Fat And Fun To Watch". Times Now. 30 August 2024. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  27. ↑ "Laughing Buddha movie review: Pramod Shetty's film is a simple and satisfactory one-time watch". www.ottplay.com. 30 August 2024. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  28. ↑ M, Sujay B. "'Laughing Buddha' movie review: A gentle, humorous take on obesity in the police force". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  29. ↑ Suresh, Sunayana (30 August 2024). "Laughing Buddha review: A flab-ulous Pramod Shetty fronts a fun watch". The South First. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  30. ↑ "Laughing Buddha Movie Review: Laughing Buddha: A refreshing change from the usual cop films". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 30 August 2024. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  31. ↑ Sharadhaa, A. (31 August 2024). "Laughing Buddha Movie Review: Takes on police obesity with a witty crime twist". Cinema Express. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
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