Movies like Ala Modhalaindhi, Uyyala Jampala, Oohalu Gusagusalaade, Prema Katha Chithram, Kshanam all fall under the list of low-budget films that turned out to be blockbusters. Pelli Choopulu a rom-com directed by Tarun Bhascker can be added to the list. Released as a low-budget film with the low expectations this movie stood out to be exceptional.
The film industry is impregnated with star heroes for generations now. There was a time when the audience was loathing to accept new actors or encourage new talent. While other industries were paving a way for unique scripts and fresh talent, Tollywood was not quite ready. The audience was under the impression that the formula movies, whatever the star heroes were cast in, were the best and superior. But this has come to an end, thanks to the creative directors and worthy content. Tharun Bhascker did an excellent job in writing a clean rom-com, casting lovely actors, adding soulful music as per the necessity.
Making a neat sit-com is something which is lacking in Tollywood. Yes, there have been many movies besides Pelli Choopulu, but this is special, comparatively. There are movies in Tollywood where directors create space for comedy. They write scripts in such a way that there have to be additional scenes for bringing humour to a film. Pelli Choppulu is not one of them. The situations demand humour as well as there is no need for the scriptwriter to create space for unnecessary comedy. The bus-stop scene, YouTube video-making scene, Kaushik’s timing, beginning convo between Chithra and Prashanth, none of them were extra or added forcefully to the script. It happened in a flow. And not to forget that this film has the best templates to be used by meme creators.
The audience used to believe whatever is portrayed in a film is a fantasy and none will be true in real life. Pelli Choopulu has proven this wrong. Starting with the struggles of the lead actors to the conversations between them, the casual gestures between them, the way they dress up and how they handle situations and few other portions are quite realistic and might have happened around. Few scenes remind the audience of themselves.
Besides these, the slow burn romance between the leads is what the audience will like. The audience already knows that the actors will fall in love and get together. But the process is something which makes the film interesting. Chithra and Prashanth both are like opposite poles. Though both like to do what they love, one likes to work towards her passion, while the other lazes the day off. One is practical and hard-working, while the other is a dreamer and an idler. How will both ooze through the differences between them, is a fabulous addition to the film.
The melodious tunes and the background scores were a highlight to this slow-burn sit-com. The debutant music director Vivek Sagar has given his best and won a Filmfare award. Merise Merise, Chinuku Thaake, Raalu Raaga Poolamala are so refreshing to listen to and are worthy enough to be added to one’s playlist. The cinematographer Nagesh Banell’s talent has been witnessed through his lens. The neat setting of lights and good focussing is what added beauty to the splendid story and screenplay.
Giving upper hand and dominance to the female lead turned out to be a surprise. The Telugu formula of portraying female lead to be dumb and male lead to be powerful is not shown in this film. Chithra is shown to be independent and headstrong; portrayed as a girl who doesn’t live for the sake of living or the society but shown as a girl who lives to make her dream come true. Giving power to female characters enhanced the beauty of the film. Pelli Choopulu proved to be the best in every department of the film. No doubt it created such a buzz at the time of its release.
