Upendra's 'Maasthi' now becomes 'Masthi'

The title of the Upendra's film 'Maasthi' has been changed to 'Masthi' as it created the controversy from the day it was launched.

The title of this film has now changed as 'Masthi'. Upendra is teamed up with glamour actress Jennifer who had a wonderful debut in 2005 block buster Jogi. The film is produced by top line producer Ramu and directed by Shivamani.

Earlier the title of the film was finalized as 'Maasthi' before the film had started the shooting, but there were huge protests from the volunteers of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and a section of Kannada writers who protested against the title as Maasthi was the most revered literary personality in Kannada.

Maasthi Venkatesh Iyengar, the Jnanpit award winner from Karnataka was being referred to as Maasthi. In fact Maasthi is a village in Kolar district where the literary personality belonged. But the story of the film was based on the life and times of Bangalore's underworld don who belonged to Maasthi village. He was also called in the underworld circles as "Maasthi".

The producer of the film had to change the name of the film as there were lot of protests and even the literary personalities had also protested. The new title was announced in a press conference addressed jointly by Upendra, film's heroine Jennifer, Director Shivamani and Producer Ramu.