Pelli Choopulu

I typically don't like romcoms as I think it is too easy for them to fall under the trap of the omnipresent, banal, and repetitious themes and character personalities that plague 95% of the the romantic movies that exist. But this is a great movie with a lot of heart that escapes most of the aforementioned pitfalls, and provides a fresh story with new ideas and characters. Movies like this are essential to keep the genre alive.

The director worked brilliantly with this script, and has created an entertaining spectacle that has enough substance to easily carry the movie past the predictable themes that it does contain. All the characters here are in some way flawed but also likable, which gives way to some lighthearted moments where you couldn't help but smile. Everyone also always stays in character, which I feel is vital for any film. There are many instances in this movie that will surprise you, and for a comedy all of it surprisingly holds well together. You know a movie is good when some scenes stay with you after it is over. Indeed, some of the scenes here are so clever and funny that you couldn't help but appreciate the ingenuity of it all.

Apart from all this commendation, there is one thing which is tugging at my stomach. On one hand it is the freshest take on a romcom I've seen in recent times, on the other, I kind of hate the apparent acceptance of dowry the movie portrays. There is even a scene in which Prashant, the male lead, says directly to Chitra, the female lead that there is nothing wrong with dowry and she says nothing to counter it. I understand that this indirectly comments on the social acceptance of dowry in our nation and this is how many Indians perceive it, but Prashant does not have to fall under that category. The movie industry has a tremendous influence in shaping our culture along with the mindset of the younger audience, and it's a shame that the director chose not to stand against it. I may be coming along as too harsh, so I am just dropping that awesome 9 to a solid 8.

Pelli Choopulu (2016): Its been such a long time since I watched such a refreshing movie like Pell Choopulu.In recent times,most of the movies are turning out to be a disappointing ventures.This week out of Jakkanna and Pelli Choopulu,I opted for Pelli Choopulu because I wanted to avoid Jakkanna.I had good vibes on this movie after watching the trailer but didn't expect much out of it.But to my surprise this is movie is awesome.

Plot: Prashanth (Vijay) is aimless in life. His father arranges a pelli choopulu for him and he agrees to meet Chitra (Ritu). On the day of the pelli choopulu, Prashanth, Chitra and a small boy are stranded in a room where they were asked to talk to each other. Thanks to the door that gets jammed, Prashanth and Chitra talk about each other. Chitra tells Prashanth that she is not ready for marriage and due to her dad's pressure she agreed to this.As the conversation progresses the duo realize that their thoughts have a lot in common. But a small twist arise which makes their ways apart but they again meet because of some circumstances.What happened to their lives and did they achieve their goals forms rest of the story.

Plus Points: 1)Screenplay and Direction: Pelli Choopulu has one of the most refreshing entertaining screenplay in recent times.It is so natural that we can easily relate to the scenes and dialogues in this movie.We never get bored at any point of the movie.A smile always lies on our face until this movie ends,even after that too......Director Tarun Bhasker really impressed us a lot.His work is commendable and we can truly await for his next projects.He is a real classy gen for Tollywood.

2)Performances: This movie has most natural performances of this year.Every actor gave their 100% percent output which really helped a lot.Out of them Ritu Varma is such a beauty of expressions and she is the major highlight of the movie.Vijay Sai perfectly apted for that role and his buddies,especially Priyadarshi is hilarious with his one liners in Telangana slang.He did the most refreshing comedy in recent times.

3)Music: Music helped a lot to elevate the scenes.Its so pleasant and songs are very good.Aanandamayenu is the best of the album.

4)Cinematography. This movie has the camera work similar to short films but really a appreciable job.It helped to give movie a natural look

Minus Points: 1)Ordinary story line: Movie's story is just like regular romantic comedy but its nothing to worry about as it has wonderful screenplay.

SO Pelli Choopulu is one of the most refreshing n naturally crafted romantic comedy with best performances,music and direction.A Must Watch one...

I watched Pellichoopulu without much hope of being impressed or even of being entertained. Recent Telugu movies have been passable, but nothing that really got my attention. Pellichoopulu totally blew these thoughts out of my head!

The first half of PC was riotously funny, as the gang led by Prashant (Vijay Devarakonda) are goons who engage in the same dumb things college guys do around the world. Koushik (Priyadarshi) was unbelievably funny--the last time I remember laughing that much at a comedian's antics was maybe the Sunil of old (movies like Dhee, Ready, etc.). Ritu Verma as Chitra was awesome--I distinctly remember being amazed that there was finally a true-to-life strong female character in a Telugu movie. Perhaps the most striking aspect of the first half was that it was so current and relevant. Every teenager sees aspects of their group of friends in Prashant's gang, and the insertion of jokes about social media was timely and hilarious. Chitra's determination and modern character makeup was far more reminiscent of today's Indian women than the made-up doll roles that Tammannah, Samantha, and even Kajal frequently find themselves in.

The second half slowed down considerably, as the focus shifted to the emerging love story between Prashant and Chitra. I was a little less enthused about this half, but I believe it to have been very well done in its own way. The tension between the two kept me engaged, and the non-obvious way in which it resolved itself left me more satisfied than the usual fight scenes that Telugu movies use as a way of having a hero save the heroine.

Overall, Pelli Choopulu is a must-watch with great writing, direction, and action. I know I will be watching it again for many years.

The movie is completely surrounded by positive vibes. From beginning to ending the charm of the film never fades. Vijay devarakonda excels in his role with his natural emotions. The character called kowshik made movie extra special.

Chitra has just completed MBA and aspires to pursue further studies in Australia and become an entrepreneur. Prashanth is forced to pursue Engineering course by his father though he aspires to be a chef. He is also too lazy to chase his dream and seeks shortcuts to settle down in life. The movie takes off when the two protagonists meet accidentally during a pellichoopulu (a common Indian ritual where potential groom and bride meet along with their families). What follows is a narrative that presents a predictable story in an engaging manner with oodles of humor and very relatable situations.

Vijay Deverakonda is authentic in his portrayal of Prashanth who is used to the daily taunts from his father and would prefer to laze around seeking simplistic solutions without a care. Ritu Varma, with her sparkling presence lights up every frame and is pitch perfect as the ambitious Chitra who is at ease in conveying a wide range of emotions. They share an easy chemistry and are ideal foil for each other which make them instantly likeable and keeps the viewers invested in how they fare. Besides the leads, the movie benefits from a competent set of supporting cast who register their presence even in the smallest of roles and adding to the funny situations. Composer Vivek Sagar has provided some good songs and adds value with his background score.

Debutante director Tharun Bhascker Dhaassyam has made a breezy romcom which checks almost all the right boxes a genre which is mostly messed up in narratives that are mired in melodrama or mindless action or other "masala" elements. His competence as an engaging storyteller is evident in the way that he strikes a fine balance in presenting the multiple threads of understated romance, aspirations of girls which are often ignored or even trampled upon as well as the casual attitudes of a section of youth Wei fail to follow one's dreams due to their lethargy and seeking easy solutions, family bonds without getting preachy or melodramatic and constant flow of jokes which do not feel forced.

With an entertaining first feature, Tharun has announced his arrival as a film maker to look forward to.