Tholi Prema
Directed byA. Karunakaran
Written byChintapalli Ramana (dialogues)
Screenplay byA. Karunakaran
Story byA. Karunakaran
Produced byG. V. G. Raju
StarringPawan Kalyan
Keerthi Reddy
CinematographyY. Maheedhar
Chota K. Naidu
Edited byMarthand K. Venkatesh
Music byDeva
Production
company
SSC Arts
Release date
  • 24 July 1998 (1998-07-24)
Running time
146 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu

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.

The film 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.[2] The film was later dubbed into Tamil as Aanandamazhai, remade in Kannada as Preethsu Thappenilla (2000), and Hindi as Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai (2001).[3][4]

Plot

Balu is the youngest son in his family and carefree. His father often scolds him, but his uncles 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

Soundtrack

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.[5]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Ee Manase Se Se"Sirivennela Sitarama SastryS. P. Balasubrahmanyam4:26
2."Yemaindo Yemo Ee Vela"BhuvanachandraS. P. Balasubrahmanyam4:42
3."Emi Sodhara"Sirivennela Sitarama SastryKrishna Raj4:18
4."Gagananiki Udayam"Sirivennela Sitarama SastryS. P. Balasubrahmanyam5:55
5."Romance Rhythms"BhuvanachandraSuresh Peters, P. Unnikrishnan3:09

Awards

Ceremony Category Nominee Result
National Film Awards[6] National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu G. V. G. Raju Won
Nandi Awards - 1998[7] 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

The 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.[8]

References

  1. "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.
  2. 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.
  3. "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.
  4. "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.
  5. 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.
  6. Manigandan, K.R. (28 April 2012). "Tale of triumph". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  7. "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.
  8. "The year gone by `Twas good for some and bad for most". Andhra Online. Archived from the original on 28 April 1999.
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