Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo

Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo is a 2020 Indian Telugu-language action-drama film directed by Trivikram Srinivas and co-produced by Allu Aravind and S. Radha Krishna under their banners Geetha Arts and Haarika & Hassine Creations. The film stars Allu Arjun and Pooja Hegde in the lead roles, while Tabu, Jayaram, Sushanth, Navdeep, Nivetha Pethuraj, Samuthirakani, Murali Sharma, Rajendra Prasad, Sunil, Sachin Khedekar, and Harsha Vardhan play pivotal roles.

The plot follows Bantu (Allu Arjun) who is hated and neglected by his father Valmiki (Sharma). Bantu later learns that his biological father is not Valmiki but a rich businessman, Ramachandra (Jayaram). Bantu enters Ramachandra’s house, Vaikuntapuram to protect his biological family. Production of the film began on April 2019, and wrapped up within December 2019. It was filmed across Hyderabad, with songs being shot in overseas. The film features soundtrack composed by S. Thaman, while cinematography and editing were handled by P. S. Vinod and Naveen Nooli, respectively.

After premiering in the United States on 11 January 2020, the film was released theatrically on 12 January, coinciding with Sankranti, along with its dubbed Malayalam version titled as Angu Vaikunthrapurathu. The film opened to positive reviews, with critics praising Allu Arjun and Murali Sharma’s performances, Trivikram’s writing and direction and Thaman’s music. The film was recorded as all time industry hit, and with a gross ₹336.05 crore (US$47 million), it ended up as one of the highest-grossing Telugu films, and also one of the highest grossing Indian films in 2020. It also became one the highest grossing Telugu film in the United States, collecting more than $13 million upon release.

Plot

Valmiki and Ramachandra start their career as clerks in the company of Ananth Radhakrishna, or ARK. Ramachandra who marries ARK’s daughter, Yasu becomes wealthy while Valmiki remains poor. On the day of the birth of both their children, Ramachandra’s son appears to be dead. When nurse Sulochana informs Valmiki about this, he pities Ramachandra and Yasu and offers to exchange his baby with the dead one. After switching them, however, the apparently dead child begins to cry. Sulochana tries to switch them back but Valmiki prevents her, pushing her accidentally off a ledge. Sulochana goes into a coma, while Valmiki gets a leg cramp that makes him limp permanently. Valmiki doesn’t allow Sulochana to switch the babies back as he felt that his son would have a better life growing up in a rich family. The two boys grow-up in different ways. Raj, raised at Ramachandra’s house is timid, innocent, and soft-spoken, while Bantu who is raised at Valmiki’s house, is smart, outspoken, and hard-working. Valmiki, who favours Raj treats Bantu with disgust due to his true parentage.

After his MBA was denied by Valmiki, Bantu heads to interview for a job at a travel company headed by Amulya, a self made businesswoman. After a scuffle and misunderstanding with the company’s HR manager Shekhar, Bantu lands a job. Eventually, Bantu starts catching feelings for Amulya. Bantu, Amulya, Shekhar, and Ravindra then go to Paris for a business trip, and shortly after the trip Bantu and Amulya fall in love with each other. Meanwhile, Raj returns from abroad discontinuing his MBA. Ramachandra sends Raj to reject Paidithalli, the son of a wealthy man,’s offer to buy 50% of their company’s shares. Ramachandra watches the deal from the hotel where Amulya and Bantu have a meeting with Sudharshanam, who wants to buy Amulya’s travel agency. Ramachandra is disappointed by Raj’s hesitance and inability to say no to Paidithalli but is proud of Bantu and Amulya for saying no to Sudharshanam. Following this, Raj is engaged with Amulya on ARK’s suggestion, even though Raj was already in love with his cousin Nandu.

When Amulya reveals her feelings for Bantu, he convinces her to ask Ramachandra to call-off her marriage with Raj. Paidithalli’s father, Appala Naidu, a powerful and influential man, attempts to kill Ramachandra for refusing to sell the shares moments before Amulya and Bantu arrive. Bantu saves Ramachandra by taking him to the hospital where he meets Sulochana, who comes out of her coma and reveals Bantu’s true parentage. The furious Bantu slaps Valmiki, telling him that he learned the secret about his birth. Bantu then manages to enter Ramachandra’s house, named “Vaikuntapuram.” ARK is fond of Bantu for saving Ramachandra. Bantu begins to address the issues plaguing the house by patching up Ramachandra’s broken relationship with Yasu, settling the dispute with Paidathalli, and reforming the corrupt family members, Kashiram and Sitaram.

At a party thrown at their house, Yasu witnesses Bantu and Amulya kissing each other. Bantu is kicked out of the house by Valmiki while Amulya’s engagement with Raj is cancelled. Naidu uses the situation to his advantage by kidnapping and threatening to kill Nandu unless Ramachandra gives away the shares to Paidithalli. When Valmiki begs Bantu to save Nandu, he refuses but goes anyway. He thrashes the goons, slams Paidathalli, and stabs Naidu in the chest. Later, Raj saves Naidu, thus ending his enmity with Ramachandra.

When Bantu and Valmiki arrive at Vaikuntapuram, ARK slaps Valmiki and reveals that he overheard the conversation between Sulochana and Bantu right before her death. Bantu unites with his biological father, Ramachandra but asks him not to reveal the truth to Yasu, fearing she might be disheartened to know that Raj is not her real child. Unaware of this, Yasu remarks that Bantu is equal to Raj as he saved Nandu and the family, thereby giving Bantu 50% of the company’s shares.

Yasu then asks Valmiki to train Raj for five years so that he could be as competent as Bantu and become the CEO. After arriving at Valmiki’s house, Raj, however, feels that Valmiki with a nurse’s help should have switched the babies 25 years ago so he could’ve ended up at Valmiki’s house and Bantu at Ramachandra’s, much to the dismay of Valmiki. Meanwhile, Bantu heads to his new office as the CEO with his wife Amulya in a helicopter, also making Valmiki jealous.

Cast

Production

Development

It was reported that Trivikram Srinivas, will direct a new film with Allu Arjun, post the release of Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava (2018). The film was speculated to be based on Rayalaseema factionalism and also rumors stated that Arjun will be playing a cop who will be dealing with factionalism in his own way. However, Allu Arjun advised Trivikram to make some changes in the script. Later Trivikram, announced that it is not an action film, but a family-based drama, during the initial reports.

On 31 December 2018, coinciding with New Year’s Eve, the project was officially announced, thus marking the third collaboration of Trivikram and Arjun after Julayi (2012) and S/O Satyamurthy (2015). It was further reported that Allu Aravind, Arjun’s father will co-produce the film under his own banner Geetha Arts, along with S. Radha Krishna’s Haarika & Haasine Creations. In mid-2019, rumours surfaced that the film will be titled as Nanna… Nenu and Alakananda, although neither of the one was confirmed. The film was launched under the tentative tite #AA19, before the title Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, was revealed on 15 August 2019.

Casting

In mid-October 2018, reports surfaced that Kiara Advani will play the female lead opposite Allu Arjun. In January 2019, Sunil was reported to play an important role in the film. On February 2018, Pooja Hegde was reported to replace Advani, as the female lead, thus marking their collaboration with both Arjun and Trivikram, for the second time, after DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham (2017) and Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava (2018). Veteran actress Nagma was reported to play Allu Arjun’s mother in the film, although she was not approached for the role.

Followed by the success of Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava, Trivikram roped in S. Thaman, for the second time, as the film’s music composer. In March 2019, it was reported that, Tabu was signed in for a siginificant role, marking her comeback to Telugu cinema, after Pandurangadu (2010). Nana Patekar was reported to play the antagonist role. On 8 April 2019, the lead cast and crew was announced on the occasion of Allu Arjun’s birthday.

In May 2019, Ketika Sharma was reported to play the second female lead,`however, Nivetha Pethuraj was approached for the role, due to Sharma’s commitments in Romantic (2019). The film’s cast features Jayaram and Sushanth in pivotal roles. Kajal Aggarwal was reported to appear in an item number, but however it was not confirmed by the makers. Tamil director and actor Samuthirakani was roped in to play a negative role, which marked his maiden Telugu film.

Filming

The film’s launch event was speculated to be held on the occasion of Valentine’s Day (14 February 2019). On 13 April 2019, the film’s launch was held at the office of Geetha Arts, the film’s production house, with a pooja ceremony attended by the film’s team.

Principal shoot of the film took place on 24 April. Followed by a brief schedule on mid-April, the team took a break, citing the weather conditions, as well as Allu Arjun and his family, went for a short holiday in Switzerland. The makers resumed the film’s shoot on 24 May 2019. After wrapping the first schedule, the makers kickstarted the second schedule on 5 June 2019 in Hyderabad, with Pooja Hegde joining the sets. On 14 June, leaked stills featuring Allu Arjun as a corporate employee, went viral on social media. During this schedule the film added Nivetha Pethuraj, Tabu and Sushanth in pivotal roles.

In mid-November, the team moved to France to film the song ”Samajavaragamana”. Parts of the song was shot at Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, France, and the Eiffel Tower, in Paris. The song was also filmed at Lido de Paris, a world-famous cabaret theatre, and became the first South Indian film to shoot there. The makers cost upto ₹5 crore (US$700,000), for the song shoot. The team also shot the song “OMG Daddy” was filmed in parts of Europe. Later on December 2019, the makers moved to Hyderabad to shoot the song “Butta Bomma”, for which a huge set was erected at the Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad. The shooting of the film was wrapped up on 29 December 2019.

Soundtrack

S. Thaman composed the soundtrack album and background score for the film, in his third collaboration with Allu Arjun, after Race Gurram (2014) and Sarrainodu (2016), and second collaboration with Trivikram Srinivas after Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava (2018). The album which features six tracks, featuring lyrics written by Sirivennela Sitaramasastri, Kasarla Shyam, Krishna Chaitanya, Ramajogayya Sastry, Kalyan Chakravarthy and Vijay Kumar Bhalla, had four of the tracks being released as singles, and went viral upon release. The soundtrack album was released on 6 January 2020, and the songs were performed by Thaman and his musical crew at the AVPL Musical Concert held the very same day, at Yousufguda Police Grounds in Hyderabad. The Malayalam version of the soundtrack album were released on 10 January 2020.

It became the first Indian feature film soundtrack to have more than 1 billion-views on YouTube. The song “Butta Bomma” went on to become the most viewed Telugu song on YouTube with more than 500 million views as of January 2021. On YouTube’s Top 10 Indian Music Videos, both “Butta Bomma” and “Ramuloo Ramulaa” became the only South Indian songs that have been listed in 2020.

Release

Proudcer Radha Krishna, on 10 July 2019, announced the film’s release date through social media platfroms, as the film will release on the occasion of Sankranthi. On 12 October 2019, the makers announced that the film will be released on 12 January 2020, which falls on the Sankranthi weekend. In mid-December 2019, it was rumoured that the film will release on 10 January, earlier than the scheduled date. The film received U/A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification on 3 January 2020. On 4 January, the Active Telugu Film Producers Guild cleared rumours surrounding the release date and was reported that the film will be released on the scheduled date.

The film’s Malayalam version titled Angu Vaikunthapurathu, and was released simultaneously on the same date. Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo was premiered at IMAX Melbourne, one of the largest cinema theatre in the world. It was also released on 11 January 2020, in the United States, a day before its official release in India.

Pre-release business

Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo‘s theatrical rights in the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana region were sold to ₹65.96 crore (US$9.2 million), with Nizam rights for ₹20 crore (US$2.8 million), Ceded rights for ₹12.06 crore (US$1.7 million), ₹8.50 crore (US$1.2 million) in the Uttarandhra territories, Guntur rights for ₹6.30 crore (US$880,000), Krishna rights for ₹5 crore (US$700,000), rights in the East and West Godavari regions for ₹6.30 crore (US$880,000) and ₹5 crore (US$700,000) respectively, and Nellore rights for ₹2.80 crore (US$390,000). Karnataka theatrical rights were sold to ₹7.20 crore (US$1.0 million). Theatrical rights for the rest of India were sold to ₹1.50 crore (US$210,000) and overseas rights for ₹9.80 crore (US$1.4 million). The film shelled out ₹84.46 crore (US$12 million), in its worldwide theatrical rights. This includes print and advertising costs for ₹4 crore (US$560,000), broadcasting rights for ₹23.50 crore (US$3.3 million), Hindi dubbing rights (sold to Goldmines Telefilms) for ₹19 crore (US$2.7 million) and other rights for ₹2.50 crore (US$350,000), totalling upto ₹133 crore (US$19 million), before the film’s release.

Marketing

On 15 August 2019, coinciding with Independence Day, the makers unveiled the first glimpse of the film, revealing its title as Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo. The film’s first look poster was released on the eve of Ganesh Chathurthi, 1 September 2019. It features Allu Arjun seen sitting on a dusted stool in a businessman’s suit, a security guard lights his cigar (beedi), and a shiny luxury car and a gigantic building in the background. Coinciding with the occasion of Dusshera, the makers unveiled a special poster on 7 October 2019, featuring Arjun in an action avatar.

The makers revealed a special poster featuring Pooja Hegde on her birthday, 13 October 2019. Sushanth’s first look from the film was released on 21 October. Tabu’s first look released on the occasion of her birthday, 4 November 2019. On Trivikram’s birthday, 7 November, the makers released the first look of the film’s Malayalam version Angu Vaikunthapurathu, through social media platforms. The film’s official teaser was unveiled on 11 December 2019.

On 6 January 2020, the makers planned for a huge promotional event, known as AVPL Musical Concert, at the Yousufguda Police Grounds in Hyderabad. Touted to be the biggest event ever in the South Indian film industry, a stage that is 52-feet high and 162-feet wise was prepared for the event, where the makers unveiled the film’s audio album and theatrical trailer. The event received great response from film buffs and audiences.

Home media

The film’s satellite and digital rights were sold to Sun TV Network. The film’s digital premiere took place on Sun NXT on 26 February 2020, after 48 days of its theatrical run. The same day, the makers released the film through Netflix, with English subtitles, with the Malayalam dubbed version released through the platform on 4 March 2020. The film’s world television premiere took place on 16 August 2020, through Gemini TV. It registered a record TRP rating of 29.4, highest for a Telugu film ever, surpassing Sarileru Neekevvaru (2020) and Baahubali: The Beginning (2015), which earlier had TRP rating of 23.5 and 22.00 respectively.

Reception

The film received positive reviews especially for the performance of Allu Arjun, musical score, script and screenplay, while the predictable storyline and the narrative of the film were criticised. Hemanth Kumar of Firstpost gave the film 3.25 stars out of 5 and wrote “Ala Vaikunthapurramloo is both entertaining and engaging to a good extent, however, it takes plenty of time before it finds its groove. One could argue a lot about how the pace of the film could have been and if there was a better way to make a bunch of characters be more relevant to the story, but when Trivikram finishes telling the story, he leaves you with a pleasant feeling.” A review posted by Rohit Mohan on Koimoi said the film to be “a perfect family entertainer to watch on this festive season of with your near and dear ones, not only for Allu Arjun fans but also for every movie lovers.” He gave the film three and a half stars out of five.

Neeshita Nyayapati of The Times of India gave the film 3.5 stars out of 5 stating “Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo has a bit of everything and despite the cliché and the predictable storyline. Trivikram manages to make it work and deliver what he promises. Watch this for Allu Arjun, especially if you’re a fan, for he shines in this one and of course, the fun of it all.” Karthik Keramalu of The Quint stated “Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo has a lot going for it because Bantu (weirdest name for a Telugu movie hero) spends time with other characters (played by Tabu, Jayaram, Sunil, Sachin Khedekar, Vennela Kishore, Rajendra Prasad, Rahul Ramakrishna, Nivetha Pethuraj etc…) and doesn’t wallow in mediocrity for a long time. And P. S., Vinod’s cinematography makes each frame in the action episodes appear as avant-garde paintings. And on top of it all, the songs are an absolute treat, which makes it as an entertainer that promises fun”

Bhavana Sharma of International Business Times stated “Living up to the expectations of the audiences and showing Trivikram’s mark everywhere, Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo rings in the celebrations of the Sankranti festival and proves that the film was worth the wait.” Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu called the film “an absorbing and entertaining drama presented by Trivikram – Allu Arjun duo”. Manoj Kumar R of The Indian Express gave 3 out of 5 and stated “The main pleasures of Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo are not unravelling of the secrets that the characters are determined to carry to their graves. It is Trivikram’s writing and his intention to tell a story and entertain the audience without any rush.” Sankeerthana Verma of Film Companion reviewed “Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo is far from being perfect cinema. There are many flaws and the film takes many artistic liberties to move the story forward, but so does every other masala entertainer. But this one manages to entertain you. This one does. If a good Sankranti film is all about having a laugh and some harmless fun without having to sell your soul, this is definitely the one to go with.”

Janani K of India Today, gave 3 out of 5 stars and stating “Ala Vaikuntapuramloo is not a film that experiments. It ends up as a film that knows its flaws but packages it cleverly so that it does not weigh down on the overall experience.” Karthik Kumar of Hindustan Times wrote “Ala Vaikuntapuramlo is undoubtedly one of Trivikram’s better films in recent years. While one can argue that he plays it safe by taking the tried-and-tested family template, at least he doesn’t disappoint and that is laudable.” Sify gave 3 out of 5 for the film stating “Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo is a well-packaged entertaining movie that has several positive points. It is a feel-good family entertainer. Despite many issues and some cliched sequences, it makes an entertaining watch during this festive period.” Behindwoods rated 3 out of 5 and summarised “Allu Arjun and Trivikram Srinivas deliver a feast with Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, a fun commercial entertainer.” Indiaglitz gave 3.25 out of 5 and stated “‘Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo’ is a thorough entertainer that offers loads of fun. Without getting melodramatic, it makes you root for its layered sentimentality.”

Box office

Ala Vaikunthapurramloo grossed ₹85 crore (US$12 million) worldwide on its opening day. By the end of first week, the film raked in ₹100 crore (US$14 million) domestically and also became the first Indian film in 2020 to touch $2 million gross at the United States box office. Ala Vaikunthapurramloo became the first ₹300 crore (US$42 million) grosser for both Allu Arjun and Trivikram Srinivas.

According to Box Office India, the film netted ₹200 croredomestically, becoming the sixth film from southern India and the first film without Hindi version to achieve this feat. It has netted more than ₹150 crore (US$21 million) from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana alone, third film to do so alongside the Baahubali series. By the end of its theatrical run, the film managed to gross ₹336.05 crore (US$47 million) worldwide, becoming one of the highest-grossing Telugu films.

Domestic

Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo collected ₹54 crore (US$7.6 million), during the first day of its release. Within three days, the film minted ₹100 crore (US$14 million), during the morning and matinee shows of third day. As of nine days, the film collected ₹300 crore (US$42 million). Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo grossed ₹200.85 crore in Andhra Pradesh, with ₹26.39 crore in Karnataka and ₹6.11 crore, across other parts of India, thus earning ₹233.35 crore in the domestic box office.

The film earned a share of ₹133.46 crore to its area-wise distributors. In the Nizam region, the film fetched a share of ₹44.89 crore, whereas in Ceded the film earned ₹18.59 crore. The film earned a share of ₹11.42 crore in Guntur, and in Krishna, it earned ₹11.51 crore. In Nellore the film earned ₹4.97 crore, as share to its distributors. The film earned ₹9.16 crore and ₹12.61 crore in the east and west Godavari regions, and ₹20.42 crore in the Uttarandhra region.

Overseas

The film registered the highest opening collections of $607,000 during its premiere shows in USA on 11 January, and $607,000 on the first day of its release. The film crossed the $1 million mark in US, on the second day. Within six days, the film entered the $2 million mark in USA, thus becoming the first Indian film in 2020 to do so. It collected $3,513,450 in the overall US box office, thus becoming one of the highest grossing Telugu film in the country.

At New Zealand, the film also collected $34,625 in the opening day, surpassing Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, which registered the highest opening collection of $21,290 in the country. According to Taran Adarsh, the film registered $408,030 (₹1.99 crore) at Australia, $39,879 (₹21.68 lakh) in Canada and £91,090 (₹84.23 lakh) in the United Kingdom, as of 26 January 2020.

Remake

Followed by the success of Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, a Tamil remake of the film was reported to be under confirmation, with Sivakarthikeyan reprising Arjun’s role from the film, apart from acquiring the remake rights. The very same month, Kartik Aaryan was roped in for the Hindi remake of the film, helmed by Rohit Dhawan and bankrolled by Radha Krishna, the producers of the original film. The film’s production is expected to kick start in the first half of 2021.

Impact

Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo recevied praise from celebrities, with Vijay Devarakonda, Pawan Kalyan and N. T. Rama Rao Jr. lauded Allu Arjun’s performance. The song “Butta Bomma” received positive response for Allu Arjun’s dance performance, with Shilpa Shetty and Disha Patani eventually praising the song. In April 2020, Australian cricketer David Warner along with his wife Candice Warner, took to TikTok, to perform the hook step from the number, which went viral through social media.