Grey Games is a 2024 Indian Kannada-language thriller drama film written and directed by Gangadhar Salimath. The film stars Vijay Raghavendra, Shruti Prakash, Bhavana Rao, Aparna Vastarey, Ravi Bhat, Ishita Singh, and Jai.[1][2]
| Grey Games | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Gangadhar Salimath |
| Written by | Gangadhar Salimath |
| Story by | Anand H. Mugad |
| Produced by | Anand H. Mugad |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Varun DK |
| Edited by | Jagadeesh N |
| Music by |
|
Production company | Dees Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 130 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Kannada |
Cast
edit- Vijay Raghavendra as Ram
- Shruti Prakash as Shanaya
- Bhavana Rao as Kalpana
- Aparna Vastarey as Tara, Abhi's mother
- Ravi Bhat as Sridhar, Abhi's father
- Ishita Singh as Julie
- Jai as Abhi
Production
editDevelopment
editAnand H. Mugad conceived the story, exploring the notion of a gamer entering a virtual world.[3] This concept evolved into Grey Games, which director Gangadhar Salimath further developed into a narrative, incorporating real-life incidents, including a notable case in Mangalore where a young boy killed his online gaming rival.[4][5] Anand H. Mugad produced the film under the banner of Dees Films.[6][7] In August 2021, the film was announced,[8] featuring Vijay Raghavendra as Ram,[9] a psychologist.[10][11] Vijay's nephew, Jai, was cast as a twenty-year-old gamer, marking his acting debut.[12][13] The film also stars Shruti Prakash as Shanaya, a film actress,[14][15] and Bhavana Rao as Kalpana, a cybercrime investigation officer.[9] Additionally, television presenter Aparna Vastarey plays the role of the mother.[14]
Filming
editThe film's title was unveiled on October 8, 2021, with a muhurat shot pooja ceremony.[5] The film was primarily shot in Bangalore. The film's gaming sequences were created using Epic Games' Unreal Engine.[16][17] The film received a U/A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification.[12] The cinematography was by Varun DK, while the editing was handled by Jagadeesh N.
Soundtrack
edit| Grey Games | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by Shriyansh Shreeram, Ashwin Hemanth, Atrangi Funkaar Score: Ashwin Hemanth | |
| Released | 2024 |
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack |
| Length | 14:50 |
| Language | Kannada |
| Label | Anand Audio |
| Video Songs Jukebox | |
| Grey Games – Video Songs Jukebox on YouTube | |
The soundtrack consists of the songs composed by Shriyansh Shreeram, Ashwin Hemanth and Atrangi Funkaar,[18][19] while the background score was by Ashwin Hemanth.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Paravasha" | Kiran Kaverappa | Pancham Jeeva | 4:14 |
| 2. | "Manaselede (Male Version)" | Kiran Kaverappa | Pancham Jeeva | 3:57 |
| 3. | "Ramma" | Brrithheve, Gangadhar Salimath | Ashwin, Brrithheve | 2:38 |
| 4. | "Manaselede (Female Version)" | Kiran Kaverappa | Aishwarya Rangarajan | 4:01 |
| Total length: | 14:50 | |||
Release
editThe film was released theatrically on 10 May 2024.[20]
Reception
editJagadish Angadi of Deccan Herald rated the film three-and-a-half out of five stars and wrote that "The flick raises questions about individual perception of contexts and moral concepts of being right and wrong. Vijay Raghavendra delivers a stellar performance. Aparna Vastarey takes on a powerful role and is absolutely convincing."[21] Shashiprasad SM of Times Now gave it three out of five stars and wrote, "Every game ends with a winner and a loser. This game -- Grey Games-- wins in the end for its good content despite having its own share of ups and downs."[22] Y Maheswara Reddy of Bangalore Mirror gave it three-and-a-half out of five stars and wrote that "The movie is worth a watch for all those who enjoy gripping narratives."[1]
Pramod Mohan Hegde of The Times of India gave it three out of five stars and wrote, "Grey Games is a unique attempt, at least for Kannada cinema, and the thriller-genre film manages to keep the audience hooked to the screen, sans a few scenes. The movie could have been shortened by 15 minutes to make it a bit more interesting."[23] Sunayana Suresh of The South First rated the film two-and-a-half out of five stars and wrote that "Grey Games had the potential to be something new and different in the cinemascope, given it deals with cyber crimes that aren’t often spoken about on screen. But the old-school treatment of the plot does not work. But, some of the performances of the lead actors make it a tolerable watch."[24]
References
edit- ^ a b c Y, Maheswara Reddy (11 May 2024). "Kannada Movie Review-Grey Games: Caught in a web of online gaming". Bangalore Mirror.
- ^ Sharadhaa, A. (10 April 2023). "Grey Games teaser is out". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Gaming industry revenue far outweighs that of the film industry: Director Gangadhar Salimath". The New Indian Express. 11 May 2024. Archived from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Vijay Raghavendra to play cop yet again; this time in film set in Madikeri". www.ottplay.com. 25 October 2021. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Exclusive! Bhavvana Rao is a cybercrime officer in film with Vijay Raghavendra, called Grey Games". www.ottplay.com. 8 October 2021. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Vijay Raghavendra's next to be on cybercrime". The New Indian Express. 4 October 2021. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "A glitzy trailer launch for Kannada film Grey Games". The Times of India. 6 May 2024. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Vijay Raghavendra is a high-profile psychologist in his first thriller". The Times of India. 16 August 2021. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Grey Games takes a closer look at the side effects of online gaming: Bhavvana Rao, Vijay Raghavendra and Shruti Prakash". The Times of India. 7 May 2024. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "I dedicate my film's entry into IFFI to my late wife Spandana: Vijay Raghavendra". The Times of India. 24 November 2023. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Vijay Raghavendra to play cop for 3rd time, but says it's different". The Times of India. 25 October 2021. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ a b "'Happy to act with nephew' - Bangalore Mirror". bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com. 1 May 2024.
- ^ "Grey Games for all categories of audiences: Anand H Mugad - Bangalore Mirror". bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com. 10 May 2024.
- ^ a b Sharadhaa, A. (10 May 2024). "A closer look at strong female characters in Grey Games". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 14 May 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Kannada Bigg Boss Fame Shruti Prakash Starts Her Bollywood Journey With Vikram Bhat's Haunted 2". Times Now. 9 May 2024.
- ^ "Grey Games is a thriller set in the metaverse, says director Gangadhar". The Times of India. 4 May 2024.
- ^ "Grey Games highlights the thin line between reality and the virtual world: Anand". The Times of India. 10 May 2024. Archived from the original on 30 May 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Grey Games - All Songs - Download or Listen Free - JioSaavn". JioSaavn. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Grey Games Songs Download: Play & Listen". Gaana. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "New Kannada movies releasing in theatres this week [May 10, 2024]". OTTPlay. 6 May 2024.
- ^ Angadi, Jagadish (10 May 2024). "'Grey Games' movie review: Despite flaws, this psychological thriller manages to entertain". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Grey Games Review: Sensibly Depicts The Grey Side Of Online Gaming!". Times Now. 10 May 2024. Archived from the original on 15 May 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Grey Games Movie Review : Grey games review: A game of revenge set in the world of love". The Times of India. 10 May 2024. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ Suresh, Sunayana (10 May 2024). "Grey Games review: This gaming and metaverse-based thriller is a bland fare". The South First. Archived from the original on 30 August 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
External links
edit- Grey Games at IMDb