Chalo
Chalo is a 2018 Indian Telugu-language romantic action comedy film written and directed by Venky Kudumula in his directorial debut.[1] The film stars Naga Shaurya as Hari, a college student with a penchant for instigating fights, and Rashmika Mandanna as Karthika, his love interest, alongside supporting actors including Satya, Posani Krishna Murali, and Vennela Kishore.[2] Produced by Usha Mulpuri under Ira Creations, it features music composed by Mahati Swara Sagar and was released on 2 February 2018 to positive reviews for its humor and youthful energy, though criticized for predictable elements.[1][3] The story centers on Hari, whose disruptive behavior leads his parents to send him to a remote village called Tiruppuram, which is uniquely divided between Telugu-speaking and Tamil-speaking communities who maintain strict separation.[2] There, Hari encounters Karthika and becomes involved in efforts to challenge the longstanding rift, blending romance, comedy, and light-hearted action as he navigates cultural tensions and personal growth.[3] The narrative uses humor to explore themes of unity and prejudice in a fictional setting inspired by cinematic tropes, without delving into heavy drama.[4] Chalo marked a breakthrough for Rashmika Mandanna, establishing her as a prominent actress in Telugu cinema following her debut in Kirik Party, and contributed to Naga Shaurya's reputation in comedy genres.[2] The film's vibrant cinematography by Sai Sriram and energetic soundtrack, including hits like "Choosi Chudangane," enhanced its appeal to younger audiences.[1] Despite a modest budget, it achieved commercial success, grossing over ₹20 crore at the box office and spawning dubbed versions in Hindi and Tamil to wider regional audiences.[3]Synopsis and Cast
Plot
Hari is a college student with a penchant for instigating fights, leading his parents to send him to the remote village of Tiruppuram, which is divided between Telugu-speaking and Tamil-speaking communities who maintain strict separation and hostility.[5] There, Hari befriends an auto driver named Bose and enrolls in a local college, where he meets and falls in love with Karthika, the daughter of Veeramuthu, the leader of the Tamil faction.[6] As Hari and Karthika's romance develops, it faces opposition from her father and the ongoing rivalry between the two communities, which stems from a historical feud between the village leaders Keshava (Telugu) and Veeramuthu (Tamil). Hari gets involved in a fight between the groups and helps the Tamil side win, earning some respect but escalating tensions. Motivated by love, Hari uncovers the truth behind the past conflict—a betrayal involving a zamindar—and works to mediate between the leaders, promoting unity through clever strategies and confrontations.[4][5] In the climax, Hari orchestrates events to expose the futility of the divide, leading to reconciliation between the communities. The film ends with Hari and Karthika uniting, emphasizing themes of love overcoming prejudice and communal harmony.[3]Cast
Naga Shaurya as Hari[7] Rashmika Mandanna as L. Karthika[7] Achyuth Kumar as Keshava[7] Mime Gopi as Veeramuthu[7] V. K. Naresh as Hari's father[7] Vennela Kishore in a supporting role[1] Satya as Bose[7] Posani Krishna Murali in a special appearance[7]Production
Development
Venky Kudumula's directorial debut Chalo originated from his deep-rooted passion for cinema, influenced by icons like Chiranjeevi and mentorship under directors Teja and Trivikram Srinivas, where he honed his storytelling skills during projects such as Neeku Naku Dash Dash and A... Aa.[[8]] The film's concept revolves around a youthful college romance set in the fictional border town of Tiruppuram on the Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu divide, emphasizing themes of love, unity, and overcoming regional prejudices through the protagonist's journey.[[9]] Kudumula penned the original story, screenplay, and dialogues, drawing on his experience as an assistant director to create a narrative tailored specifically for lead actor Naga Shaurya, with whom he had collaborated earlier on Jadoogadu.[[8]][9]] The production was greenlit by Naga Shaurya's family, with Usha Mulpuri serving as producer under the banner Ira Creations, reflecting their confidence in Kudumula's vision after reviewing the bound script.[[9]][10]] The project was formally announced in October 2017, with the title Chalo selected to symbolize the hero's transformative expedition, following deliberations on alternative options.[[11]] Principal photography commenced in 2017 and concluded by late October of that year, aligning with Kudumula's goal—set in collaboration with Trivikram Srinivas—to deliver a complete film within a year.[[9]][8]] Key challenges included navigating industry networks to secure backing and carving out an original directorial style distinct from his mentors' influences.[[8]] Naga Shaurya was signed early, integrating seamlessly into the pre-production planning as both star and co-producer.[[9]]Filming
Principal photography for Chalo commenced in 2017 and concluded in October 2017, with the majority of the filming taking place in and around Hyderabad.[[9]][12]] Key shooting locations included Andhra Christian College in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, where the college sequences were captured to evoke a lively campus environment; Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad for interior sets; and scenic outdoor spots in Chickmagalur, Karnataka, for the romantic portions.[[13]]] The film's cinematography was led by Sai Sriram, whose work highlighted the vibrant colors of the college settings and fluid action choreography, contributing to the movie's youthful energy.[[7]][14]] Post-production, including editing, was overseen by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao, ensuring a tight 145-minute runtime that balanced comedy, romance, and drama.[[7]]Music
Soundtrack
The soundtrack of Chalo features five original songs composed by Mahati Swara Sagar, who also provided the background score, blending youthful energy with romantic and comedic elements suited to the film's college and village settings.[15] The album was released on January 25, 2018, under Aditya Music, with songs recorded primarily at Mahati Recording Studios in Hyderabad.[16] The tracks emphasize the film's romantic comedy genre through upbeat rhythms and melodic interludes, integrating seamlessly into key narrative moments such as budding romances and festive gatherings.[17]| No. | Title | Singers | Lyricist | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drunk and Drive | Rahul Sipligunj | Shyam Kasarla | 4:12 | Upbeat track highlighting youthful exuberance during college scenes.[18] |
| 2 | Cheppave Balamani | Sweekar Agasthi | Shyam Kasarla | 4:31 | Melodic number exploring emotional longing in the protagonists' relationship.[19] |
| 3 | Choosi Chudangane | Anurag Kulkarni, Mahati Swara Sagar | Bhaskarabhatla Ravi Kumar | 3:22 | Romantic duet underscoring the initial attraction between leads, featured in lighthearted courtship sequences.[20] |
| 4 | Chal Godava | Yazin Nizar | Bhaskarabhatla Ravi Kumar | 3:37 | Energetic song tied to conflict and reconciliation themes, evoking the film's comedic confrontations.[21] |
| 5 | Ammaye Challo Antu | Yazin Nizar, Lipsika | Krishna Madineni | 4:00 | Playful romantic duet during celebratory moments like a college fest buildup, capturing flirtatious chemistry.[22] |