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Pelli Choopulu is a Telugu-language romantic comedy film directed by Tharun Bhascker, released on July 29, 2016. The movie is a refreshing take on modern relationships, capturing the essence of youth, dreams, and love in a light-hearted manner. Starring Vijay Deverakonda and Ritu Varma in the lead roles, the film quickly gained popularity for its realistic portrayal of relationships and its unique approach to a romantic comedy.
At its core, Pelli Choopulu brings a breezy, yet meaningful narrative that deals with the evolving dynamics between two strangers who meet under unconventional circumstances. The film avoids the usual melodrama of typical love stories and instead focuses on the development of personal and professional aspirations, with romance blossoming naturally alongside it. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this film so charming.
Plot Summary
Pelli Choopulu centers around the characters of Prashanth (Vijay Deverakonda) and Chitra (Ritu Varma). Prashanth is a carefree and aimless young man, who aspires to be a chef but lacks the drive to follow through with his ambitions. Chitra, on the other hand, is a focused and determined woman, with clear goals in life. Their paths cross when they meet for an arranged marriage meeting, where things don’t go as planned, but they end up agreeing to work together on a food truck business.
As the story progresses, Prashanth and Chitra, despite their differences in personalities and life goals, form an unexpected partnership. As they embark on their entrepreneurial journey, they begin to learn from each other, discovering their strengths, weaknesses, and shared dreams. The film is about finding love not just in each other, but also in following one’s own passion and purpose. It’s a beautifully crafted film that explores how personal growth and romance can go hand in hand.
What’s Good?
Acting
The performances of the lead actors are one of the main highlights of Pelli Choopulu. Vijay Deverakonda, who plays Prashanth, is a breath of fresh air. His portrayal of a carefree, yet endearing young man is both relatable and charming. Deverakonda’s comic timing is spot on, and his natural delivery adds authenticity to the character. His transformation throughout the film, from a reluctant participant in life to someone who finds his true passion, is convincingly done.
Ritu Varma as Chitra complements Vijay Deverakonda’s character perfectly. She brings grace, intelligence, and emotional depth to her role. Chitra is a practical and no-nonsense woman, and Ritu Varma’s performance makes the character both strong and vulnerable. The chemistry between the two leads is subtle but magnetic, making their evolving relationship feel natural and heartwarming.
Direction
Tharun Bhascker’s direction is one of the strongest elements of the movie. He has a knack for portraying simple, relatable stories with a fresh perspective. The way he handles the characters’ development, as well as their emotional journeys, is engaging without being overly sentimental. He avoids the usual clichés seen in many romantic films, opting for a more realistic approach to love, relationships, and personal growth.
Bhascker does a wonderful job of making the film feel grounded in reality, with characters who feel like real people with flaws and dreams. The dialogues are sharp and witty, adding an extra layer of charm to the movie. His ability to balance humor with emotional depth ensures that the film never loses its pace and keeps the audience invested from start to finish.
Music
The music in Pelli Choopulu, composed by Vivek Sagar, plays a significant role in enhancing the film’s mood. The songs are light, breezy, and perfectly complement the youthful energy of the story. Tracks like “Pelli Choopulu” and “Vennelaina” have a sweet, infectious quality that stays with you long after the film ends.
The background score also complements the film’s tone, subtly amplifying the emotions and humor at the right moments. The music creates a smooth and enjoyable atmosphere, which makes the film feel even more relatable and easygoing.
Cinematography
Cinematography by Niketh Bommireddy is simple but effective. The film’s visuals are clean and vibrant, capturing the essence of Hyderabad, where the story unfolds. The use of natural light and the portrayal of everyday settings adds authenticity to the film. The city itself becomes a character in the story, with the bustling streets, local food spots, and parks serving as perfect backdrops to the evolving story of Prashanth and Chitra.
The cinematography supports the overall feel of the movie—light, relatable, and intimate—without overshadowing the story.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
Pelli Choopulu stands out for several reasons. Firstly, the screenplay is refreshing and offers a unique perspective on relationships. Unlike many romantic comedies that focus primarily on the love story, this film also emphasizes personal growth, the pursuit of dreams, and self-discovery. The chemistry between Vijay Deverakonda and Ritu Varma feels organic, and their performances add a lot of charm to the movie.
Secondly, the humor in the movie is light-hearted and comes naturally from the characters’ interactions. The film doesn’t rely on slapstick comedy or over-the-top situations but rather focuses on the wit and relatability of the dialogues, which adds to the realism of the story.
The movie also has a great message about following one’s passion and not settling for anything less, both in terms of career and relationships. It shows how the characters evolve in their professional and personal lives, which makes their bond feel more rewarding.
Weaknesses
While Pelli Choopulu is largely a success, there are a few areas that could have been improved. The pacing in some parts of the film tends to slow down, especially in the middle sections. While this doesn’t take away from the overall experience, a quicker pace might have helped maintain momentum, especially during some of the quieter moments.
Additionally, some viewers might feel that the romantic angle of the story could have been developed further. The transition from business partners to romantic partners is smooth, but at times it feels a little abrupt. More screen time dedicated to the deepening of their bond could have added more emotional depth to the movie.
Target Audience
Pelli Choopulu will appeal to a wide range of audiences, particularly those who enjoy light-hearted, feel-good romantic comedies. The film is ideal for young adults, especially those in their 20s and early 30s, who can relate to the struggles of career ambitions, personal growth, and love. Families looking for a clean and charming movie will also find this film enjoyable, as it provides an uplifting story without relying on heavy drama. Overall, fans of realistic, relatable stories will enjoy this film.
Box Office Details
Made on a budget of approximately ₹3 crore, Pelli Choopulu turned out to be a major commercial success, both in India and overseas. The film’s success at the box office was attributed to its fresh storytelling, the performances of the lead actors, and its relatability.
Worldwide Box Office Collection:
The film grossed around ₹25 crore worldwide during its theatrical run, which was considered a big success for a film with a modest budget.
Day-wise Earnings (India and Overseas):
- Day 1: ₹1.5 crore (India), ₹0.2 crore (Overseas)
- Day 2: ₹2 crore (India), ₹0.3 crore (Overseas)
- Day 3: ₹2.5 crore (India), ₹0.5 crore (Overseas)
- Day 4: ₹2 crore (India), ₹0.4 crore (Overseas)
- Day 5: ₹1.5 crore (India), ₹0.3 crore (Overseas)
The movie’s steady growth in earnings, particularly after the first weekend, showcases its widespread appeal and positive word-of-mouth among audiences.
Recommendation
Pelli Choopulu is a delightful romantic comedy that offers a refreshing take on love, career, and personal growth. With excellent performances, a relatable storyline, and a positive message, it’s a movie that leaves a lasting impression. I highly recommend Pelli Choopulu for anyone who enjoys feel-good films that are both entertaining and meaningful.
Genres:
Romance, Comedy
Rating:
7.121/10
Cast:
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Vijay Deverakonda | Prashanth |
| Ritu Varma | Chitra |
| Priyadarshi Pullikonda | Kaushik |
| Abhay Bethiganti | Vishnu |
| Nandu Vijay Krishna | Vikram |
| Anish Kuruvilla | Business Man Uncle |
| Kedar Shankara | Prashanth’s Father |
| Gururaj Manepalli | Chitra’s Father |
| Padmaja Lanka | Satya |
| Sujatha Gosukonda | Chitra’s Mother |
| Khenisha Chandran | Richa |
| Anisha Alla | Prasanth’s Ex-Girlfriend |
| Keshav Deepak | Prashanth’s Ex-Boss |
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