Filming

In August 2016, it was reported that the successful combination of Yogaraj Bhat and Ganesh are teaming up together again for a new romantic venture.^[8] While Bhat was taking care of the script, wrote story and take up the direction, Ganesh was cast as the lead actor apart from co-producing the film and V. Harikrishna was chosen to compose the music. On 30 November 2016, the film was reported to have titled as Mugulu Nage.^[9] On 8 December 2016, the filming began with the first schedule officially canned at ISRO Layout in Bengaluru.^[10] The second schedule was held at Mysuru followed by the third schedule being shot in Puducherry.^[11] It was also reported that team expected the filming would be completed by the end of February 2017. However, the shooting was officially concluded in April 2017.^[12]

Casting

Ganesh (right) and Bhat (left) during the filming in Pondicherry

After signing Ganesh for the lead role, actress Amulya was signed in for one of the female leads.^[13] It was also reported that the film would feature three more leading female characters, with a total of four different romantic tracks. Actresses Nabha Natesh and Nikitha Narayan were approached to play the other lead roles.^[14] However, later Nabha was replaced by model turned actress Ashika Ranganath, playing her first role for a film. Apart from these leading actresses. In February 2017, it was announced that actor Jaggesh would be appearing in a special song sequence penned by Bhat himself.^[15] Later in March 2017, Bhat made some last-minute changes by replacing Amulya with actress Apoorva Arora since Amulya got engaged and her marriage dates were clashing with the film schedule.^[16] Apoorva joined the team on 18 March and shot her scenes at Barkur. It was also reported that Amulya would still make a guest appearance in the film.^[16]

Critical response

A critic from The New Indian Express wrote that "Mugulu Nage is a film that touches the heart. Yogaraj Bhat and Ganesh found a way to capture love and heartbreak in Mungaru Male through rains, and this time the two seem to have matured in their outlook on romance. This time the two tell us that love can be navigated with a smile and only Ganesh complements Bhat’s efforts".^[20] A critic from The Times of India wrote that "Yogaraj and Ganesh first got together to make a film about heartbreak. With Mugulu Nage, the combination has grown and learnt to move on, which in many ways is quite akin to the film itself".^[21]

On the contrary, a critic from Deccan Chronicle wrote that "Both Yogaraj and Ganesh reunite after a decade to recreate their magic but it turns out to an ordinary venture with mixed feelings. While some part of the film looks refreshing and is emotionally packed with a reason to smile, the remainder is dragged on with the director’s usual tidbit formula".^[22] A critic from Bangalore Mirror wrote that "Mugulu Nage is good enough to drag people to the theatres, but does it give the immersive experience to keep off gadgets altogether?"^[1] A critic from The Hindu wrote that "‘Mugulu Nage’ is not great as a whole but is at least good in parts which are not what you could say about many of Bhat’s efforts".^[23]