Tholi Prema (transl. First Love) is a 1998 Indian Telugu-language romantic drama film written and directed by A. Karunakaran. It stars Pawan Kalyan and Keerthi Reddy, with music composed by Deva.[1] The cinematography was done by Y. Maheedhar and Chota K. Naidu.
| Tholi Prema | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | A. Karunakaran |
| Written by | Chintapalli Ramana (dialogues) |
| Screenplay by | A. Karunakaran |
| Story by | A. Karunakaran |
| Produced by | G. V. G. Raju |
| Starring | Pawan Kalyan Keerthi Reddy |
| Cinematography | Y. Maheedhar Chota K. Naidu |
| Edited by | Marthand K. Venkatesh |
| Music by | Deva |
Production company | SSC Arts |
Release date |
|
Running time | 146 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
The film was a blockbuster at the box-office and propelled Pawan Kalyan to stardom.[2] It is considered as one of the most iconic romantic films in Telugu cinema.[3] It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu, six state Nandi Awards, and was featured in the Indian Panorama mainstream section at the 30th International Film Festival of India.[4] The film was later dubbed into Tamil as Anandha Mazhai,[5] remade in Kannada as Preethsu Thappenilla (2000), and in Hindi as Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai (2001).[6][7]
Plot
editBalu is the youngest son in his family and carefree. His father often scolds him, but his uncle and mother dote on him, so does his brother. He has a bunch of friends to hang around. On a late Diwali night, Balu's father is angry with him and he goes out for a stroll. On this night, Balu happens to see a girl Anu with a white churidar, playing with children although revealing only her feet. He instantly falls for her. He learns that she has returned from the US to spend time with her grandfather, awaiting her Harvard call.
Anu is impressed with Balu when he saves a child's life on the motorway; she tries to get his autograph but fails. Balu leaves for Ooty for his studies and accidentally meets Anu on the way when his taxi breaks down. Anu gives Balu a lift and leaves her driver to help the taxi driver. While on the way, Anu's car slips into a valley due to a rash lorry driver. Balu makes an effort to save Anu and rescues her to safer ground. Trying to save Anu, Balu slips off into a valley. Anu is depressed that Balu sacrificed himself to save her, searches for him and loses hope. Balu is saved by a truck driver and admitted to a hospital. On his return, Anu meets Balu at his house to express her gratitude. Balu thinks of proposing his love, but is warned by his sister Priya. Balu develops a friendship with Anu, but never dares to express his love. Priya gets married and leaves. At the same time, Anu is admitted to Harvard University and is about to leave. They remain silent until they reach the airport. His goal is to make her realize how much he loves her. As they wait for the flight announcement, she realizes that she is indeed in love with Balu. She gets emotional and hugs him. She says that she needs him more than Harvard. An emotional Balu iterates that she has worked hard and she is waiting for this day and shouldn't miss the chance for love. They agree to reunite after they have realized their goals.
Cast
edit- Pawan Kalyan as Balu
- Keerthi Reddy as Anu
- Vasuki Anand as Priya, Balu's sister
- Ali as Balu's friend
- Nagesh as Balu's uncle
- Venu Madhav as Arnold Sekhar
- Achyuth as Anil
- Prasanna Kumar
- Narra Venkateswara Rao as Viswanatham, Balu's father
- P. J. Sarma as Anu's grandfather
- Ravi Babu
- Vijay
- Jagan
- Chaplin Balu as Balu's friend
- Anil
- Sangeetha as Balu's mother
- Manisha
- Bangalore Padma
- A. Karunakaran in a cameo appearance
Production
editA. Karunakaran saw the photograph of Pawan Kalyan on the cover of a Telugu film magazine in Chennai and felt he would ideal for the lead role in his offbeat romantic film.[8][5] After Karunakaran narrated the script to Kalyan, the latter introduced him to producer G. V. G. Raju, who previously produced Gokulamlo Seeta (1997) with him.[5]
A replica set of Taj Mahal was erected at Mahabalipuram for the song "Gagananiki Udayam".[5]
Soundtrack
editThe soundtrack was composed by Deva. Four of the film's five songs are based on other songs without acknowledgement: "Yemaindo Yemo Ee Vela" is based on Ricky Martin's "Maria"; "Emi Sodhara" is based on "Pyar Ka Musafir" by Lucky Ali; "Romance Rhythms" is based on "Noonday Sun" by Deep Forest; and "Ee Manase Se Se" is based on "Alabalaba (Woman’a’Sexy)" by Dr. Alban.[9]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ee Manase Se Se" | Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 4:26 |
| 2. | "Yemaindo Yemo Ee Vela" | Bhuvanachandra | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 4:42 |
| 3. | "Emi Sodhara" | Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry | Krishna Raj | 4:18 |
| 4. | "Gagananiki Udayam" | Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | 5:55 |
| 5. | "Romance Rhythms" | Bhuvanachandra | Suresh Peters, P. Unnikrishnan | 3:09 |
Awards
edit| Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Film Awards[10] | National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu | G. V. G. Raju | Won |
| Nandi Awards - 1998[11] | Best Feature Film - Gold | Tholi Prema | Won |
| Best Supporting Actress | Vasuki | Won | |
| Best Screenplay Writer | A. Karunakaran | Won | |
| Best First film of a Director | A. Karunakaran | Won | |
| Best Audiographer | Madhu Sudhan | Won | |
| Best Editor | Marthand K. Venkatesh | Won |
Release
editThe film had run for more than 100 days in 21 centres; it ran for more than 200 days in 2 centres. It was the winner of six Nandi Awards and National Award Best Feature Film (Telugu) and ran for more than 365 days.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Birthday Special: Power Star Pawan Kalyan! How the actor got his big break and became successful". The Times of India. 1 September 2018. Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ Vyas (2 September 2019). "A star with unfathomable craze - Pawan Kalyan". The Hans India. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ Hemanth Kumar CR (8 February 2018). "Tholi Prema: Pawan Kalyan-Keerthi Reddy's romantic classic continues to inspire filmmakers even after 20 years". Firstpost. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
- ^ Devipriya (January 1999). "30th IFFI" (PDF). 30th International Film Festival of India '99. Directorate of Film Festivals. p. 150. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- ^ a b c d M. L. Narasimham (23 October 1998). "Evolving a style of his own". The Hindu. Retrieved 28 July 2024 – via Ghostarchive.
- ^ "I haven't yet done a dance film: Tusshar Kapoor". DNA India. 31 May 2016. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
- ^ "19 Glorious Years for Pawan Kalyan's Tholi Prema". thetelugufilmnagar.com. 24 July 2017. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
- ^ "Interview with Karunakaran by Jeevi". Idlebrain.com. 12 July 2001. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ Srinivasan, Karthik (19 February 2019). "How Four Songs In Tholi Prema Were Plagiarized From Ricky Martin, Lucky Ali, Two French Musicians And A Nigerian Artiste". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 19 February 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
- ^ Manigandan, K.R. (28 April 2012). "Tale of triumph". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF) (in Telugu). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ "The year gone by `Twas good for some and bad for most". Andhra Online. Archived from the original on 28 April 1999.
External links
edit- Tholi Prema at IMDb