Movies

Boys (2003 film)

Boys is a 2003 Tamil coming-of-age film directed by Shankar. It stars Siddarth, Genelia, Bharath, Nakul and Sai Srinivas Thaman. The score and soundtrack are composed by A. R. Rahman. Boys was simultaneously released in Telugu as well with the same name.

The story centers around six youngsters, who experience the downfalls of teenage life. The film conveys a message about the importance of a good education and career over other distractions, such as romance and sex. It was the debut for its five title characters as well as the female lead.

Munna (Siddharth Narayan), Babu Kalyanam aka Bob Galy (Bharath), Juju (Nakul), Krishna (Thaman) and Kumar (Manikandan) are five friends. They come from different backgrounds — Munna from a middle-class family, Bob Galy from a Telugu-speaking family, Juju from an academic-achieving family, Krishna from a rich family and Kumar from a poor family. But all of them have common interests — spending their time downing alcohol, ogling girls, watching pornography and complaining about their parents. Much to the chagrin of their parents, they have no interest in studies. They even go as far as hiring a prostitute (Bhuvaneswari) but all of them back down at the last moment. They meet a depressed middle-age man, Mangalam (Vivek) in a bar one day and help him home after he passes out. Although they first use him as a source to get alcohol, Mangalam enjoys their company and becomes a mentor of sorts for the boys.

One day, the boys see a teenage girl, Harini (Genelia D'Souza), and all of them decide to ask her out. Everyone’s try ends in disaster, but they all become friends. However, Munna is still in love with Harini and cannot forget her. He conveys his feelings to her while on a day-out in a resort, but she rejects him. Later, Harini's friend tells Munna that Harini would accept him only if he streaks on Mount Road, which was not true. But Munna believes her, does it and gets arrested. When Harini finds out what Munna had done, she gets him out on jail and accepts Munna's love.

Eventually, Munna's and Harini's parents find out about their relationship and are furious, as they want them to focus on their studies. Harini's father, who is a powerful Indian Revenue Service officer, holds a meeting at Harini's house; her parents decide that Munna and Harini will not contact each other till their studies are over. After that, if they are still in love, the parents will not stand in their way. Although the kids agree to this, they continue to long for each other. Meanwhile, Harini's mother, determined to end her daughter's relationship with Munna, arranges a wedding alliance between Harini and her younger brother, who lives in the USA, despite Harini's protests. Harini and Munna run away from their homes and go to Tirupati, where they get married. On hearing this news, Munna's and Harini's parents disown them. To show solidarity to Munna, his friends walk out of their homes, too.

Mangalam helps them find a modest residence and the teenagers take up part-time jobs to support themselves. This does not prove successful, so Mangalam encourages them to explore their natural musical talents. The teenagers form a band named "Boys", making modern versions of popular Tamil devotional songs, and eventually gain recognition. Soon, they are approached by aNaxalite group to make songs against the government. They do it for the money however, and soon get arrested under POTA.

After they are released from prison, the teenagers show more resolve to succeed. After a few unsuccessful attempts, they are finally signed by Sony Music and record their first album. While celebrating their success, Krishna, in a drunken state, accidentally tells Harini about their earlier encounter with a prostitute. A deeply hurt Harini leaves Munna and returns to her parents, despite his protests that they did not meet before the encounter and that he did not have sex with the prostitute. As the prostitute is the only one who could prove that Munna did not have sex with her, the friends begin searching for her. Kumar spots her on a moving bus and tries to get on it. In the process he falls under the wheels of the bus and dies. Munna decides that his words were more than enough proof for Harini and accepts Harini’s decision. Meanwhile, Harini agrees to marry her maternal uncle.

Their album releases and becomes a huge hit. But without Harini, the lead female vocal, the record labels are unwilling to sign them. When the boys request Harini’s presence for a live show onMTV, her parents accept, but on the condition that Munna sign the divorce papers. Munna agrees, realising that their career is more important than their love. The group has a very successful live debut. They dedicate their first live success in memory of Kumar.

On the day of the divorce hearings, Mangalam, now the pop group’s manager, fields many calls to replace Harini with another girl. When she looks at the pictures of all the pretty girls vying to be the group’s new lead female vocal, about of jealousy strikes her. She gets angry and starts hitting Munna. As they fight, they share a kiss. The judge sees this as a sign that she still cares for him and does not agree to the divorce. It is implied that Munna and Harini get back together.

Bommarillu (2006 Film)

Bommarillu  is a 2006 Telugu romantic comedy film directed and co-written by Bhaskar, and produced by Dil Raju. The film stars Siddharth Narayan, Genelia D'Souza Prakash Raj and Jayasudha. Following the film's box office success it was remade in Tamil as Santosh Subramaniam (2008), in Bengali as Bhalobasa Bhalobasa (2008), in Oriya as Dream Girl (2009) and will be remade in Hindi as It's My Life (2013).

The film primarily revolves around the relationship between a father and son, in which the father's excessive concern for his son, and interference in his life, leads to the latter harbouring bitterness towards his overbearing father. The film opened to Indian audiences on 9 August 2006. On its way to winning accolades and rave reviews, the film went on to win the South Filmfare Awards among other prominent awards. The film's success broke several records at the box office during its prime and is one of the highest grossing Telugu films till date.

The film begins with a baby taking his first steps on a beach supported by his father. The narrator (Murali Mohan) states that, it is right for a father to support his child in his infancy, but questions whether the father should continue to hold the child's hand even after he is 24 years old. As the credits roll, a visibly angry Siddharth Siddhu Addala (Siddharth Narayan) begins verbally abusing all the fathers in the world. When queried about his disgust, he says that his father, Aravind (Prakash Raj), gives him more than what he asks for. He cites instances where his choices of dressing, hairstyle, and many others are overruled by his father's. However, he vows that his career and the woman he marries will be his own choice.

Satti (Sunil), Addala household's dutiful servant wakes up Siddhu in the morning. In the background, Siddhu's mother, Lakshmi (Jayasudha), is seen singing a devotional Telugu song while cooking. At the dining table, Aravind, Managing Director of their construction company, asks if Siddhu will join their office. When Siddhu deliberates, his father becomes impatient and plans for his marriage despite Siddhu's silent protest. The next week, Siddhu returns home to realize that he is going to get engaged to Subbulakshmi (Neha) against his wishes. He speaks with her only to realize that she is adaddy's girl (Tanikella Bharani being the father) and does not take a liking to her. However, with Aravind's final say, they eventually get engaged.

While contemplating on his options in a temple, Siddhu accidentally meets Hasini (Genelia D'Souza), an engineering student. Siddhu is attracted by her cheerful nature and energy, and the couple begin to meet on a regular basis. As the days go by, Siddhu grows to admire the ever-friendly Hasini as someone who does what she loves, and he discovers many small things which make him happy to be in her company; he realizes that he has fallen in love with her.

Alongside this, Siddhu applies for a bank loan to start his construction company. When his love for Hasini deepens, he wishes to propose to her. He confesses to her that he is engaged to Subbulakshmi against his wishes, but who he really wants is her. On learning of his engagement, Hasini gets dejected, but comes back a few days later and asks him to do what he wishes for and accepts his proposal. At this juncture, the ecstatic Siddhu is seen by a furious Arvind. Siddhu is admonished back home and he expresses his disinterest in marrying Subbulakshmi. When asked for his reason to like Hasini, Siddhu replies that if Hasini can stay with their family for a week, then all their questions shall be answered. He convinces Hasini to stay at his house after lying to her father, Kanaka Rao (Kota Srinivasa Rao) that she is going on a college tour.

When Hasini is introduced to Siddhu's family, she gets a lukewarm welcome. As she settles down in the house, the other family members begin to like her. Even though getting used to the living habits of the authoritarian Arvind's household is difficult, Hasini stays for Siddhu's sake. In the meanwhile, Arvind reprimands Siddhu when he finds out about his bank loan and his career plans, only to further enrage Siddhu.

One day, the entire family along with Hasini attends a marriage ceremony. A cheerful Hasini cheers up the ceremony with her playful nature. Coincidentally, Kanaka Rao who happens to be around, recognizes Siddhu as the drunken young man whom he encountered on an earlier occasion. Hasini realizes her father's presence and quickly exits to avoid his attention. After saving their face, Siddhu admonishes Hasini for her antics at the marriage. A sad and angry Hasini moves out of the house saying that she does not find Siddhu the same and that she cannot put on an act if she stays in their house. After getting back to her house, she rebuilds the trust her father has in her while Siddhu is left forlorn. Lakshmi confronts Arvind on Siddhu's choices and wants. In the process, Siddhu opens up his heart, leaving Arvind to repent on his over-protectiveness. Siddhu requests Subbulakshmi and her parents to call off the marriage. While they relent, Arvind manages to convince Kanaka Rao about Siddhu and Hasini's love. When Kanaka Rao disagrees to get the two lovers married, Aravid suggests letting Siddhu stay with them for a week and the story returns to the pre-credits scene. The viewers are left to assume that the two lovers have a happy union.