From a Real-Life Incident to a Theatre Favourite.. The Untold Story of ‘Vaddu Saroja’

Directors often remove certain scenes after completing a film if they feel they affect the runtime or interrupt the flow of the story. However, there are instances where scenes considered for deletion are retained at the last minute and go on to receive an overwhelming response in theatres. Something similar happened with director Karunakaran’s Ullasamga Utsahamga. The popular ‘Vaddu Saroja’ comedy sequence was initially considered for removal, but it eventually became one of the film’s most memorable moments.

Starring Yasho Sagar and Sneha Ullal, Ullasamga Utsahamga was released in 2008 and went on to become a successful romantic comedy. The ‘Vaddu Saroja’ scene was reportedly inspired by an incident from Karunakaran’s early days. While looking for film opportunities along with director Sasi, Karunakaran once stopped at a tiffin cart in KK Nagar, where a man started an argument. The owner’s wife reportedly lost her temper and beat up the man. Karunakaran remembered the incident and narrated it to several people over the years, but he could not find a suitable film in which to use it. Eventually, the incident was adapted for Ullasamga Utsahamga. The scene received a tremendous response in theatres, and the dialogue ‘Vaddu Saroja.. Vaddamma’ became so popular that audiences began using it to tease friends and family.