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Ala Modalaindi
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| Ala Modalaindi | |
|---|---|
Promotional poster | |
| Directed by | Nandini Reddy |
| Written by | Nandini Reddy |
| Produced by | K. L. Damodar Prasad |
| Starring | Nani Nithya Menen Sneha Ullal |
| Cinematography | Arjun Jena |
| Edited by | Marthand K. Venkatesh |
| Music by | Kalyani Malik |
| Distributed by | Sri Ranjith Movies |
Release date |
|
Running time | 135 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
| Budget | ₹4 crore[1] |
| Box office | est. ₹15 crore distributors' share[1] |
Ala Modalaindi (transl. 'That is how it started') is a 2011 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy film written and directed by B. V. Nandini Reddy under the Sri Ranjith Movies banner. It stars Nani, Nithya Menen (in her Telugu debut) and Sneha Ullal with the music composed by Kalyani Malik. The film's cinematography is performed by Arjun Jena with editing by Marthand K. Venkatesh.
Released on 21 January 2011, the film opened to favorable reviews by critics and became a commercial success.[2][3] The film grossed ₹150 million (equivalent to ₹310 million or US$3.7 million in 2023) on a budget of ₹40 million (equivalent to ₹82 million or US$970,000 in 2023).[1] Reddy won the Nandi Award for Best First Film of a Director SIIMA Award for Best Debut Director – Telugu. The film is considered one of the "25 Greatest Telugu Films Of The Decade" by Film Companion.[4] The film is remade in Tamil as Yennamo Yedho (2014) and in Kannada as Bhale Jodi (2016).
Plot
[edit]The film begins with an accident. Gautam is abducted by John Abraham. On the way, Gautam is forced to narrate his tale as he talks of stopping a marriage and John too talks of preventing a wedding. Hence, the flashback. Gautam is ready to propose to Simran with a bunch of roses, but destiny has other plans. Elsewhere, Nithya is playing cricket and hits Gautam with her shot. He is then taken to the hospital in the stretcher. Simran falls in love with Dr. Anand, who was treating Gautam and they get married eventually. Gautam is invited and leaves for the wedding, but cannot face Simran. When he walks out, he gets drunk and meets a drunk Nithya who actually was in love with Anand. They dance and sing throughout the night before parting ways the next day.
As destiny has it, they happen to meet in a pub after a few days. Gautam accompanies her everywhere for her daily endeavors. He realises he's in love with her, but before he could tell her, he finds out that she is already engaged. Gautam steps back and stays secluded. Nithya and her fiancé end their engagement over an argument about Gautam. Unaware of this and having moved on, Gautam starts dating a veterinary doctor Kavya, but they break up after an altercation. Gautham's mother suddenly passes away after a brain hemorrhage and Kavya visits to express condolences. Nithya realizes that she loves Gautam and goes to his house to pay condolences and to propose to him, but is shocked to see Kavya in his house. Thinking that they both are married, she leaves to Bangalore and accepts the marriage proposal her parents set for her. After realizing Nithya misunderstood him, Gautam and his friends leave for Bangalore to stop the marriage.
On the way to Bangalore, their car stops and Gautam asks for a lift and they accept and that is where he was kidnapped. After a big fight between Gautam and John Abraham, it is revealed that John Abraham was looking for the one who gave Gautam a lift, not Gautam. He helps Gautam to reach the wedding. Gautam's friends, who reach the wedding hall, reveal the truth to Nithya. In order to meet Gautam, Nithya escapes from the wedding and ends up asking John Abraham for a lift, who accepts looking at the jewellery she is wearing. After listening to her, John realizes that she is the Nithya that Gautam came for. He drives back the car to the wedding hall and Nithya take the gun and kidnaps Gautam. Then after a comical scuffle, Nithya reunites with Gautam.
Cast
[edit]- Nani as Gautam
- Nithya Menen as Nithya
- Sneha Ullal as Kavya
- Ashish Vidyarthi as John Abraham
- Rohini as Revathi, Gautam's mother
- Chaitanya Krishna as Deepak, Nithya's fiancé
- Thagubothu Ramesh as Gautam
- Pragathi as Nithya's mother
- Sivannarayana Naripeddi as Sivannarayana, Nithya's uncle
- Mirchi Hemanth as Gautam's friend
- Snigdha as Pinky
- Praveen as Rowdy
- Dhanraj as Rowdy
- Chanti as Rowdy
- Uppalapati Narayana Rao as Nithya's father
- Nandini Reddy as Pinky's neighbour (cameo)
- Kriti Kharbanda as Simran (cameo)
- Kamesh Sista as Dr. Anand (cameo)
Release
[edit]The film was released on 21 January 2011.
Dubbed versions
[edit]The film's Malayalam dubbed version, titled Angane Thudangi,[5] is released in Kerala on 28 July 2011.[6][7] The film got a wide release.[8][9] Angane Thudangi was the first Malayalam film (though dubbed) to be made available for online viewing on the same day as its release. This arrangement was made by Mathrubhumi, who also released the music for the Malayalam version.[10] The home video of Angane Thudangi was released by Hot & Sour on 2 December 2011.[11]
Reception
[edit]Rediff gave a four star rating, stating "All in all Ala Modalaindi is a fun ride" explaining "Nani and Nithya are at their natural best. Both are so effortless and at ease and share a great chemistry. They are expressive in a range of emotions too."[12]
Sify also gave a 4/5 star rating, noting "Nandini Reddy's plot is simple but her screenplay is knitted with many twists and turns and that makes the movie a pleasant watch. Nani and Nithya Menen score in performance."[13]
Review sites IdleBrain and GreatAndhra, which also gave 4 ratings, praised the lead pair's performance.[14][15]
The film ran for 100 days theatrically.[16]
Soundtrack
[edit]Kalyani Malik has composed the songs and soundtrack for the film.
Telugu original soundtrack
[edit]| No. | Title | Lyrics | Performer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Cheli Vinamani" | Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry | Vedala Hemachandra | 4:18 |
| 2. | "Innalu Naa Kallu" | Anantha Sreeram | Geetha Madhuri, Kalyani Malik | 4:16 |
| 3. | "Edo Anukunte" | Lakshmi Bhupal | Nithya Menen, Deepu | 3:51 |
| 4. | "Oo Baby" | Veena Sahithi | Veena Sahiti | 4:47 |
| 5. | "Ammammo Ammo" | Anantha Sriram | Nithya Menen, Kalyani Malik | 4:24 |
Malayalam dubbed soundtrack
[edit]The music for the Malayalam version was composed by Jassie Gift, based on the tunes in the original film.[5][17] The lyrics for Angane Thudangi were written by Siju Thuravoor.
| No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ammammo Ammo" | Najim Arshad, Nithya Menon | 4:32 |
| 2. | "Entho Nedunne" | Nithya Menon, Salin | 3:41 |
| 3. | "Kandille Nee" | Najim Arshad, Sindhu Premkumar | 4:28 |
| 4. | "Nenjin Veena Meetti" | Jassie Gift | 4:09 |
| 5. | "Oh Baby" | Ranjini Jose & chorus | 3:33 |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filmfare Awards South | 7 July 2012 | Best Director – Telugu | B. V. Nandini Reddy | Nominated | |
| Best Actress – Telugu | Nithya Menen | Nominated | |||
| Best Music Director – Telugu | Kalyani Malik | Nominated | |||
| Best Lyricist – Telugu | Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry
for "Ammammo Ammo" |
Nominated | |||
| Best Female Playback Singer – Telugu | Nithya Menen
for "Ammammo Ammo" |
Nominated | |||
| South Indian International Movie Awards | 22 June 2012 | Best Film (Telugu) | Ala Modalaindi | Nominated | [18] |
| Best Debut Director (Telugu) | B. V. Nandini Reddy | Won | [19] | ||
| Best Female Debut (Telugu) | Nithya Menen | Nominated | [18] | ||
| Best Supporting Actor (Telugu) | Ashish Vidyarthi | Nominated | [18] | ||
| Best Comedian (Telugu) | Thagubothu Ramesh | Nominated | [18] | ||
| Best Female Playback Singer (Telugu) | Nithya Menen
for "Ammammo Ammo" |
Nominated | [18] | ||
| Best Music Director (Telugu) | Kalyani Malik | Nominated | [18] | ||
| Nandi Awards | 05 August 2011 | Best First Film of a Director | B. V. Nandini Reddy | Won | [20] |
| Best Actress | Nithya Menen | Won | [21] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c IANS (23 May 2013). "Camera rolls for 'Ala Modalaindi' Tamil remake". Business Standard India. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
- ^ "'Overwhelmed by response for Ala Modalaindi' – Rediff.com Movies". Rediff.com. 6 April 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "Ala Modalaindi reaches its 75-day run". The Times of India. 14 April 2011. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "25 Greatest Telugu Films Of The Decade | Film Companion". www.filmcompanion.in. Archived from the original on 17 October 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
- ^ a b "Angane Thudangi (2011) [Jassie Gift, Siju Thuravoor] | Angane Thudangi [ജാസ്സി ഗിഫ്റ്റ് ,സിജു തുറവുര് ]". Malayalasangeetham.info. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ "Angane Thudangi – Movie Reviews, Videos, Wallpapers, Photos, Cast & Crew, Story & Synopsis on". Oneindia. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Angane Thudangi Malayalam Movie Preview cinema review stills gallery trailer video clips showtimes". IndiaGlitz. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ "Angane Thudangi stills Malayalam movie Angane Thudangi Nithya Menon stills". Moviesmalayalam.com. Retrieved 13 November 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Angane Thudangi Malayalam Movie Review, Angane Thudangi Malayalam Film Review, Malayalam Cinema Review, Malayalam Movie Review". Metromatinee.com. 28 July 2011. Archived from the original on 24 November 2011. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ "'Angane Thudangi' for online viewers, Malayalam – Mathrubhumi English Movies". Mathrubhumi.com. 28 July 2011. Archived from the original on 26 November 2011. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ ""Melvilasom", "The Film Star", "Angane Thudangi" VCD/DVD released". Kottaka. Archived from the original on 5 December 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
- ^ "Ala Modalaindi is entertaining – Rediff.com Movies". Rediff.com. 21 January 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "Movie Review:Ala Modalaindi". Sify. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ Date : 20 January 2011 22:00:00 GMT (20 January 2011). "'Ala Modalaiyindi' Review: Commendable Attempt". Greatandhra.com. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Ala Modalaindi film review – Telugu cinema Review – Nani & Nitya Menon". Idlebrain.com. 21 January 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "Ala Modalaindi's success party". The Times of India. 1 May 2011. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "Nani-Nithya Menen's Angane Thudangi releasing on July 28th". Ragalahari.com. 26 July 2011. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f "SIIMA nominations for Telugu films - Telugu cinema news". Idlebrain.com. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
- ^ "SIIMA 2012 Winners Telugu". SIIMA. Archived from the original on 6 July 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
- ^ "Nandi Awards 2010 announced". IdleBrain. 5 August 2011. Archived from the original on 19 May 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ^ "Nani-Nithya Menen film 'Ala Modalaindi' is a classic millennial Telugu rom-com". The News Minute. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
External links
[edit]Ala Modalaindi
View on GrokipediaPlot
The film opens in the present day with Gautam (Nani), a television reporter, being kidnapped by a man named John Abraham (Ashish Vidyarthi) immediately after attending his ex-girlfriend's wedding. While being transported, the kidnapper, who is also trying to stop a wedding, forces the bored Gautam to narrate his own romantic history to pass the time.[7] In flashback, Gautam is recovering from a breakup with his girlfriend Simran (Kriti Kharbanda), who left him for her doctor. At Simran's wedding to the doctor six months later, Gautam encounters Nitya (Nithya Menen), a confident software professional from Bangalore, who reveals that the groom was her ex-boyfriend who had dumped her for Simran. Bonding over their shared heartbreak, the two become close friends despite living in different cities—Gautam in Hyderabad and Nitya in Bangalore.[8][9] Over the next few years, fate repeatedly brings them together through coincidental meetings during travels and events, gradually turning their friendship into mutual affection. However, timing and misunderstandings consistently thwart their romantic progress. Nitya becomes engaged to another man, Chaitanya, but soon realizes her true feelings for Gautam. Upon returning to confess, she discovers Gautam is now engaged to Kavya (Sneha Ullal). Heartbroken, Nitya agrees to an arranged marriage arranged by her parents, while Gautam humorously ends his own engagement.[10][11] The narrative builds to a climax where Gautam attempts to stop Nitya's wedding, intertwining with the kidnapper's storyline for a resolution that unites the leads after overcoming their obstacles.[7]Production
Development
B. V. Nandini Reddy, marking her directorial debut with Ala Modalaindi, transitioned from assisting on films such as Little Soldiers and working with director Krishna Vamsi to helming her first feature-length project.[12] Her inspiration for the romantic comedy stemmed from personal experiences and observations of relationships, particularly the evolving dynamics among young adults, conceived during a discussion in Chennai with producer Anjana Ali Khan. The project took approximately six years from conception to completion, as Reddy faced repeated funding challenges and rejections before securing support.[13][14] Influenced by Western rom-coms like When Harry Met Sally and A Lot Like Love, as well as the TV series Friends, Reddy aimed to capture the humor and emotional nuances of modern love stories.[14][15] Reddy penned the screenplay herself under the Sri Ranjith Movies banner, completing the script in just 10 days amid deadline pressures, jotting down 60 scenes on yellow paper with minimal notes to visualize the narrative mentally.[14][16] Key creative decisions emphasized millennial relationships characterized by their short lifespans and complexities, infused with situational humor through quirky characters like a professional kidnapper inspired by John Abraham and a comedic sidekick reminiscent of the Ice Age character Scrat.[14] The script evolved to prioritize repeat value, blending lighthearted comedy with emotional depth to reflect real-life relational journeys.[14] The film's initial budget was set at ₹4 crore, sourced from producer K. L. Damodar Prasad, though it slightly overshot due to financial hurdles during pre-production.[17] To align with the story's breezy tone, Reddy selected composer Kalyani Malik for the soundtrack, whose melodic contributions enhanced the romantic and humorous elements.[16] The project was announced in early 2010, with the first look revealed in June, and pre-production wrapped by mid-year despite a four-month stall from funding issues.[15][14] Lead actors Nani and Nithya Menen were chosen for their fresh talents in this debut collaboration.[15]Filming
Principal photography for Ala Modalaindi began in early 2010 under the direction of B. V. Nandini Reddy and concluded later that year, with the final shooting schedule still underway as of June 2010. The production focused on authentic Telugu locales to reflect the film's themes of youthful romance and comedy, utilizing a mix of urban and rural environments to ground the narrative in relatable settings.[15] Much of the filming occurred in Hyderabad and its outskirts, including key sequences at Sankarampally for the climax, where the cast and crew captured high-energy comedic moments amid natural surroundings.[18] Romantic and chase scenes drew from the city's bustling streets and nearby rural areas, enhancing the story's organic feel of chance encounters and pursuits. Some musical sequences were shot abroad to add visual flair, such as "Ninnu Choodaku" in Mykonos, Greece.[19] The technical aspects were handled by cinematographer Arjun Jena, whose work emphasized vibrant, lively visuals to complement the film's upbeat tone and the natural chemistry between Nani and Nithya Menen. Editing by Marthand K. Venkatesh played a crucial role in sustaining the comedic rhythm, with tight cuts that kept the narrative flowing, though reviewers suggested slight adjustments for smoother pacing in transitional scenes.[15][16]Cast
- Nani as Gautam[3]
- Nithya Menen as Nithya[3]
- Sneha Ullal as Kavya[3]
- Kriti Kharbanda as Simran[3]
- Pragathi as Revathi[3]
- Rohini as Nithya's mother[20]
- Ashish Vidyarthi as John Abraham[3]
- Thagubothu Ramesh as Balaraju[3]
Soundtrack
Telugu soundtrack
The Telugu soundtrack of Ala Modalaindi was composed by Kalyani Malik, who crafted a score blending romantic melodies with upbeat tracks to complement the film's lighthearted romantic comedy narrative. The album consists of five songs, emphasizing emotional depth and youthful energy through simple, soothing compositions that earned praise for their melodic appeal.[4][21] The tracks were recorded in Hyderabad, with sessions focusing on integrating the music to heighten emotional cues in the plot, such as romantic sequences. The album was launched on November 15, 2010, at Hotel Dasapalla in Hyderabad, receiving positive initial reception for its accessible tunes that resonated on Telugu radio stations and contributed to the film's overall tone.[22][4][23]| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Duration | Lyrics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cheli Vinamani | Hemachandra | 4:13 | Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry |
| 2 | Edo Anukunte | Deepu, Nithya Menen | 3:46 | Lakshmi Bhupal |
| 3 | Innaallu Naa Kallu | Kalyani Malik, Geetha Madhuri | 4:11 | Anantha Sriram |
| 4 | Oo Baby | Veena Sahithi | 4:42 | Veena Sahithi |
| 5 | Ammammo Ammo | Nithya Menen | 4:19 | Anantha Sriram |
Dubbed versions
The Malayalam adaptation of the soundtrack for the dubbed version of Ala Modalaindi, titled Angane Thudangi, was re-composed by Jassie Gift, who adapted the original tunes to fit Malayalam sensibilities while maintaining the romantic and comedic tone. This five-track album features lyrics by Siju Thuravoor, with vocal performances by artists including Nithya Menen, Najim Arshad, and Jassie Gift himself.[27] Key tracks include "Kandille Nee", an adaptation of the original Telugu song "Cheli Vinamani" (originally sung by Hemachandra), re-rendered at 4:20 with Najim Arshad and Sindhu Premkumar providing the vocals to evoke a similar playful energy.[27] Other songs, such as "Entho Nedunne" (3:41, Nithya Menen and Salim) and "Nenjin Veena Meetti" (4:08, Jassie Gift), incorporate cultural nuances in lyrics to enhance relatability for Kerala audiences, differing from the source material through localized phrasing and rhythms.[27] In contrast, the Hindi dubbed version, released as Dil Bechara Breakup Ka Maara, and the Tamil sync dub utilized the original Telugu soundtrack without full re-recording, relying on the existing audio synced to dubbed dialogues, though minor lyric overlays were added in some distributions for cultural fit and better audience engagement.[28][29] The Angane Thudangi album was launched preceding the film's wide release in Kerala on July 28, 2011, and it helped sustain the film's popularity in the region by preserving the comedic essence through its upbeat, light-hearted compositions that resonated with local viewers.[30][31]Release
Theatrical release
Ala Modalaindi was theatrically released on 21 January 2011, coinciding with the Sankranti festival to capitalize on the heightened audience attendance during this major cultural celebration in Andhra Pradesh.[3] The distribution in Andhra Pradesh was managed by the production banner Sri Ranjith Movies.[32] The film received a U/A certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), allowing viewing by audiences of all ages with parental guidance for those under 12.[32] The film was re-released in theaters on 24 February 2023.[33]Home media
The Blu-ray edition of Ala Modalaindi was released on May 4, 2011, distributed by Bhavani DVD in a single-disc format with 1080p resolution, Telugu DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, and English subtitles.[34] A corresponding DVD version was also made available through Bhavani and other retailers, featuring NTSC format, Dolby Digital audio, and English subtitles.[35] The film's Malayalam dubbed version, titled Angane Thudangi, received a theatrical release in Kerala on July 28, 2011, marking a post-theatrical expansion for regional audiences.[36] In digital formats, Ala Modalaindi became accessible via online streaming platforms. As of November 2025, it is available on Eros Now and Tentkotta.[37] Free clips, songs, and the full movie have been hosted on YouTube since at least January 2014, broadening its reach to global viewers.[38]Reception
Critical response
Upon its release, Ala Modalaindi received generally positive reviews from critics, who appreciated its light-hearted take on modern relationships. Rediff praised the fresh script and the seamless integration of humor.[11] Similarly, Telugu media outlets highlighted the strong chemistry between the leads.[10][16] The film garnered an average user rating of 3.5/5 on Letterboxd, reflecting its appeal as an engaging romantic comedy.[9] Critics lauded director Nandini Reddy's debut for effectively balancing romance and comedy, crafting an entertaining narrative that avoids clichés in its initial portions.[11][16] The performances of Nani and Nithya Menen were standout, with reviewers noting their natural chemistry and effortless portrayals that brought authenticity to the youthful characters.[11][10] Humorous dialogues were another highlight, contributing to the film's witty and relatable vibe.[16] However, some criticisms focused on the predictable plot developments in the second half, which slowed the pace and reduced emotional depth.[16] Supporting characters were often seen as underdeveloped, serving primarily as plot devices rather than adding substantial layers.[10] Idlebrain.com described it as a "delightful entertainer" that excels in humor and lighter entertainment, particularly appealing to youth with its non-committal romance theme.[16] The critical acclaim aligned with its box office success, validating its resonance with audiences.[3]Box office
Ala Modalaindi was produced on a budget of ₹4 crore. The film achieved a distributors' share of approximately ₹15 crore, marking it as a commercial hit with a return on investment exceeding 275%.[1][17] It enjoyed a successful 100-day theatrical run, completing 50 days in 56 centers.[39][40] The movie opened strongly and peaked during weekends, contributing to its sustained performance.[41] Performance was particularly robust in urban centers of Andhra Pradesh, where it completed 50 days in all six Hyderabad multiplexes with at least one daily show.[42] This urban appeal helped position it among the top-grossing Telugu comedies of 2011, ranking sixth with collections around ₹14 crore.[43]Awards and nominations
Ala Modalaindi received several awards and nominations following its release. The following table lists the major accolades:| Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Nandi Awards | Best First Film of a Director | B. V. Nandini Reddy | Won | |
| 2011 | Nandi Awards | Best Actress – Telugu | Nithya Menen | Won | |
| 2012 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Film – Telugu | Ala Modalaindi | Nominated | [44] |
| 2012 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Director – Telugu | B. V. Nandini Reddy | Nominated | [6] |
| 2012 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress – Telugu | Nithya Menen | Nominated | [6] |
| 2012 | SIIMA Awards | Best Debut Director – Telugu | B. V. Nandini Reddy | Won | |
| 2012 | SIIMA Awards | Best Debutant Actress – Telugu | Nithya Menen | Nominated | [6] |
| 2011 | National Film Awards | (Unspecified category) | Ala Modalaindi | Nominated | [45] |
