Tholi Prema (1998 film)
Tholi Prema (transl. First Love) is a 1998 Telugu-language romantic drama film written and directed by A. Karunakaran and cinematography by y. Maheedhar and Chota K. Naidu. It stars Pawan Kalyan and Keerthi Reddy in the lead roles, with music composed by Deva. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu and the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film for that year. The film was later remade in Hindi as Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai,[1] and in Kannada as Preethsu Thappenilla.[2]
| Tholi Prema | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | A. Karunakaran |
| Produced by | G. V. G. Raju |
| Written by | Chintapalli Ramana (dialogues) |
| Screenplay by | A. Karunakaran |
| Story by | A. Karunakaran |
| Starring | Pawan Kalyan Keerthi Reddy |
| Music by | Deva |
| Cinematography | Y. Maheedhar Chota K. Naidu |
| Edited by | Marthand K. Venkatesh |
Production company | SSC Arts |
Release date |
|
Running time | 146 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
Plot
Balu (Pawan Kalyan) is the youngest son in his family and a careless guy. His father always scolds him, but his uncles and mother dote on him and so does his brother. He has a bunch of friends (played by Ali, Venu Madhav and others) and hangs around with them. On one occasion, Balu's father is angry with him; Balu leaves the house to be left alone for a while (on the eve of Diwali). He chances to see Anu (Keerthi Reddy) on the road with some kids and he falls for her. She has returned from the USA to spend time with her grandfather (P. J. Sharma).
Anu is impressed with Balu when he saves a kid'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 (Vasuki). Balu develops a friendship with Anu, but never dares to express his love. Priya gets married and leaves. At the same time, Anu gets admission into Harvard University and is about to leave. They remain silent until they reach the airport. His goal is to make her realise how much he loves her. The contradiction in their personalities couldn’t be more stark. Just before Anu leaves, she realizes that she is indeed in love with Balu. She proposes to him and they agree to meet after realizing their goals.
Cast
- Pawan Kalyan as Balu
- Keerthi Reddy as Anu
- Ali as Balu's friend
- Venu Madhav as Arnold Sekhar
- Narra Venkateswara Rao as Viswanatham, Balu's father
- Nagesh as Elder uncle
- Achyuth as Anil
- Prasanna Kumar
- Ravi Babu as Villain
- P. J. Sarma as Anu's grandfather
- Vasuki as Bujji / Priya
- Sangeetha as Balu's mother
- Bangalore Padma
- Manisha
- Narra Srinu as Bouncer (cameo)
- Vasuki Anand – Balu's Sister
Soundtrack
| Tholi Prema | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 1998 | |||
| Recorded | 1997 | |||
| Genre | Soundtrack | |||
| Length | 24:20 | |||
| Label | Lahari Music | |||
| Producer | Deva | |||
| Deva chronology | ||||
| ||||
The 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 "Pyaar 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.[3] There is no female voice in any of the songs in the movie.
| 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
Nandi Awards
- Nandi Award for Best Feature Film[4]
- Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actress – Vasuki[4]
- Nandi Award for Best Screenplay Writer – A. Karunakaran[4]
- Nandi Award for Best First Film of a Director – A. Karunakaran[4]
- Nandi Award for Best Audiographer – Madhu Sudhan[4]
- Nandi Award for Best Editor – Marthand K. Venkatesh[4]
References
- I haven't yet done a dance film: Tusshar Kapoor. Dnaindia.com (2016-05-31). Retrieved on 2020-06-01.
- Mamnoor, Pooja (2017-07-24) 19 Glorious Years for Pawan Kalyans Tholi Prema. thetelugufilmnagar.com
- 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. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
- "Nandi Film Awards G.O and Results 1998". APFTVTDC. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
External links
- Tholi Prema at IMDb