UI trailer: Upendra's grim vision of 2040 wows Lokesh Kanagaraj

Kannada superstar Upendra is returning to direction after a significant gap with his ambitious project, UI. The teaser offers a chilling glimpse into a world ravaged by extreme wealth inequality and moral decay, where humanity faces challenges that push it to the brink of collapse.

Set in 2040, UI envisions a future stripped of democracy, compassion, and humanity. Society is divided, with the majority struggling to survive while the elite manipulate the masses. As starvation grips the populace, the ruling class distracts them with free mobile devices, keeping them immersed in sports and entertainment. This digital escape ensures the hungry remain pacified, even as darkness and despair engulf their lives.

Upendra’s dystopia takes a critical look at enduring prejudices, with class and caste divisions further exacerbating societal decay. The ruling regime employs a sinister system of assigning numerical identities to individuals, reinforcing divisions and perpetuating ignorance. This divide-and-rule policy consolidates the corrupt regime's power, shielding it from accountability.

In the teaser, Upendra’s character embodies tyranny, ruthlessly silencing dissent. In a chilling moment, he guns down protesting citizens, justifying his actions with the chilling declaration: "Power is more valuable than dissent."

Drawing parallels with contemporary challenges like climate change, inflation, unemployment, and geopolitical conflicts, Upendra’s film warns of a plausible future if humanity fails to change its course. The teaser paints a picture that feels disturbingly close to reality, underscoring the urgency for collective action.

Filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj was quick to praise Upendra’s effort. Sharing the Tamil teaser on social media, he wrote, "Always admired your sincerity and the efforts you've taken up in all the projects you do, sir! Hoping that this film receives all the glory and praise it deserves."

Lokesh is also directing Upendra in his upcoming film Coolie, starring superstar Rajinikanth in the lead role. 

UI is due in cinemas on December 20.