Cast: Vijay Devarakonda, Ritu Varma, Kaushik
Banner: Dharmapadha Creations
Editor: Ravi Teja
Cinematography: Nagesh Banell
Music: Vivek Sagar
Distribution: Suresh Productions
Producer: Raj Kandukuri
Director: Tharun Bhascker
Cool, Contemporary & Refreshing Pelli Choopulu – Thumbs Up!
This film is so good that we felt our readers should know it, hence the early review – thanks for the premiere!
Plot:
Chitra (Ritu Varma) is a strong independent woman battling to be a successful entrepreneur with her ‘food truck idea’ against to her conventional father’s will to get her married. And on the other part of the world Prashanth (Vijay Devarakonda) is a slack happy-go-lucky engineer graduate dreaming of becoming a chef but ending up fit for nothing. Even his father decides to get him married and that is how Prashanth’s family lands up in Chitra’s house as part of the ‘Pelli Choopulu’ (a tradition in Indian arranged marriages wherein the guy & his family visits the girl’s home to see her officially). Due to a problematic door, Prashanth & Chitra get locked up in a room and that is where they get to know each other’s dreams, aspirations and past love stories. But only at the end of their conversation, Prashanth’s family realizes that they have come to the wrong place. What happened to Chitra & Prashanth, their dreams and lastly their blossoming relationship forms the rest of the plot.
Performances:
Vijay Devarakonda: Remember this guy who wanted to go to ‘Dhood Kashi’ and bugged Nani in Yevade Subramanyam? This talented chap has utilized every opportunity that came his way and continues to shine as ‘Prashanth’ in Pelli Choopulu. Many of us will relate to his character in the film, especially his body language, dialogues with the typical Hyderabadi accent. Few scenes with his co-stars were hilarious too!
Ritu Varma: This gorgeous starlet was a head-turner in the role of ‘Chitra’, a strong independent woman. She was cute, contemporary and elegant in her presence and portrayal and there is always scope for improvement as an actor.
Industry gets a new comedian called ‘Kaushik’ – you’ll enjoy his Telangana accent and comedy! The other supporting cast was purposeful and brilliant.
Analysis:
We have seen many films, love stories and specifically romantic comedies of all kinds but how many of them are that cute, honest and bracing in terms of storytelling?
Pelli Choopulu stands apart right from the very first frame. It is the story of a boy and girl next door naturally contrasting but with a common point – hatred for people who eat samosa with excess sauce! Now how many films today have such detailing and depth in the lead characters? Ok… if this samosa point isn’t that convincing the hero and heroine will give you enough reasons about what they are and what they are not! And given all these, the way the characters and their aspirations are brought together and set up was absolutely impressive. By the time you are relishing the first half, it breaks for intermission leaving you rooting for the characters, their resentment and importantly their story.
What do you expect from such a well-staged first half? Obviously an equally good second half or a second half that can scale it to new heights (that too if you’re over-expecting)! On an honest note, it is engaging (predictable is a cliche again) enough but it could have been more heartening only if it was dramatically rooted. And the climax leaves you wanting for more!
The best part is that director Tarun Bhascker played with his strength – a simple, fun-filled engaging narrative with a breezy treatment. And by the way the chemistry between the lead pair completely goes for a toss but looks like it is a deliberate attempt by Tarun to prove that a good love story doesn’t always need a sparkling chemistry!
On a simpler note: Pelli Choopulu has all that you look for in a romantic comedy film – a perfect pick for this weekend!
Merits:
- Screenplay and fresh treatment
- Well-etched characters and decent performances
- Fun and comedy (few hilarious scenes) that is blended well into the narrative
- No melodrama
- Music and background score
- Cinematography
- Editing and Runtime (just around 2hrs)
De-merits:
- Over simplified second half
Music:
This Pelli Choopulu album is catchy, foot-tapping yet refreshing. Unlike the routine, all the songs were beautifully blended with the narrative. But what stands apart is Vivek Sagar’s back ground score that has the feel of a fresh evening breeze and aroma of a just brewed filter coffee which adds a different tone and dimension to an ordinary narrative.
Others:
Makers need to be appreciated for delivering such qualitative product with a shoe-string budget.
Verdict:
It is one cool, contemporary & refreshing ‘Pelli Choopulu’ we don’t get to watch often. This romantic comedy is enjoyable with either friends or family or even both! However, with such adorable characters, setup and refreshing treatment, it could have been a memorable love story but it rather remains to be an over simplified tale! Still cheers to its innocence, freshness and all the entertainment.
P.S: Pelli Choopulu is releasing this Friday i.e., July 29. Except if you have your own 'pellichoopulu', you can check this out in your nearest theatres!