Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo

Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, also known as AVPL, is a 2020 Indian Telugu-language action drama directed by Trivikram Srinivas. The movie features Allu Arjun and Pooja Hegde in the lead roles, supported by a talented ensemble cast including Tabu, Jayaram, Sushanth, Nivetha Pethuraj, and many others. The film is produced by Allu Aravind and S. Radha Krishna under the banners of Geetha Arts and Haarika & Hassine Creations, respectively.

Production for Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo began in April 2019 and concluded in December 2019. The filming took place in Hyderabad, with some song sequences shot overseas. The film’s music is composed by S. Thaman, while the cinematography is handled by P. S. Vinod and edited by Naveen Nooli. After its premiere in the United States on January 11, 2020, the movie was released theatrically on January 12 to coincide with the festival of Sankranti.

Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo received positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances of the cast, Thaman’s music, the entertainment value, and Trivikram’s writing and direction. It emerged as a commercial success, grossing around ₹262-280 crore worldwide. The film became one of the highest-grossing Telugu films of all time and the second-highest-grossing Indian film of 2020. Thaman was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for his work in the film. Additionally, Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo received several awards at the South Indian International Movie Awards, including Best Film in the Telugu category.

A Hindi-language remake of the film, titled Shehzada, was released on February 17, 2023.

PLOT

In 1995, Valmiki and Ramachandra start working as clerks in the company of Ananth “ARK” Rama Krishna. Ramachandra, who marries ARK’s daughter Yasoda “Yasu,” becomes wealthy while Valmiki remains poor. On the day their children are born, Ramachandra’s son appears dead. Valmiki, wanting his son to grow up in a rich household, offers to exchange his baby with the dead one. However, the supposedly dead child starts crying, and Valmiki decides to keep him as his own, naming him Raj. Ramachandra’s son is named Bantu and is treated unfairly by Valmiki due to his true parentage.

In 2020, Bantu gets a job at a travel company where he falls in love with his boss, Ammu. Meanwhile, Raj returns from abroad, and Ramachandra arranges his engagement with Ammu, even though Raj is in love with his cousin Nandini. Conflict arises when a wealthy man tries to acquire shares of their company, leading to a series of events where Bantu saves Ramachandra’s life and discovers his true parentage. Bantu then sets out to mend relationships, resolve disputes, and reform corrupt family members.

During a party, Yasu witnesses Bantu and Ammu kissing, resulting in Bantu being thrown out of the house by Valmiki. Naidu, a powerful man, kidnaps Nandu and demands shares from Ramachandra. Bantu comes to the rescue and saves Nandu, reconciling with Raj in the process. It is revealed that Bantu is Ramachandra’s biological son, but to protect Yasu, the truth is kept hidden. Yasu acknowledges Bantu’s efforts and gives him 50% of the company’s shares. Valmiki is left feeling regretful as Bantu leaves with Ammu.

The story ends with Raj expressing disappointment that Valmiki did not switch the babies years ago, resulting in a different life for both Bantu and himself. Valmiki watches helplessly as Bantu departs with Ammu, leaving the family behind.