Oopiri

Story:

“Oopiri” also known as “Thozha,” is a 2016 Indian comedy-drama film directed by Vamshi Paidipally and produced by PVP Cinema. The film features Akkineni Nagarjuna, Karthi, and Tamannaah in lead roles, with Prakash Raj, Vivek, Ali, Jayasudha, Kalpana, Tanikella Bharani, and Manobala playing supporting characters. Karthi made his debut in Telugu cinema through this film, which revolves around the lives of Vikramaditya, a quadriplegic billionaire, and Seenu, his ex-convict caretaker.

The story emphasizes the significance of life and relationships over money and disability. A remake of the French film “The Intouchables” (2011) by Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, “Oopiri” was shot simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil, titled “Thozha.” The remake rights were acquired by Karan Johar and Guneet Monga in May 2014, authorizing PVP Cinema to produce the adaptation in regional languages.

Principal photography took place in Chennai, Hyderabad, Paris, Belgrade, and Novi Sad from March 2015 to February 2016. Gopi Sundar composed the soundtrack, P. S. Vinod handled cinematography, and Madhu and Praveen K. L. edited the Telugu and Tamil versions, respectively. With a budget ranging from ₹500–600 million, “Oopiri” and “Thozha” were globally released on March 25, 2016, receiving critical acclaim for the performances of the principal cast, cinematography, and Paidipally’s adaptation skills.

Commercially successful, the films grossed over ₹1.6 billion. At the 64th Filmfare Awards South, “Oopiri” won Best Director (Telugu) for Paidipally and Best Cinematography for P. S. Vinod. Additionally, Paidipally received the Best Director Award at the 6th South Indian International Movie Awards. Film Companion recognized it as one of the “25 Greatest Telugu Films Of The Decade”.

The narrative begins with Vikramaditya, a wealthy entrepreneur who becomes quadriplegic after a paragliding accident in Paris. To ensure his girlfriend Nandini’s happiness, Vikramaditya, through his friend and legal adviser Prasad, conveys that he is not interested in marrying her. Five years later, Vikramaditya lives a despondent life with his secretary Keerthi and caretaker Seenu, a paroled convict hired to prove his reformation.

Despite initial reservations, Seenu, an honest and unpretentious individual, wins Vikramaditya’s trust. Seenu discovers Vikramaditya’s purely epistolary relationship with Priya and encourages him to meet her. Meanwhile, Seenu’s personal life involves overcoming family disapproval and earning the respect of Swathi, whose marriage he facilitates. As the story progresses, Vikramaditya’s health issues lead to a trip to Paris, where Seenu plays a crucial role in boosting Vikramaditya’s morale and fostering a romance between him and Keerthi.

The narrative takes an emotional turn as Vikramaditya reconnects with Nandini and her family, leading to a sense of relief for Seenu. However, as Seenu’s life takes a positive turn, Vikramaditya becomes reclusive and dissatisfied with his new caretakers. Concerned, Prasad contacts Seenu, who takes Vikramaditya on a liberating journey to Visakhapatnam. The film concludes with a poignant scene where Vikramaditya, elegantly dressed, observes Seenu from a restaurant window, smiling as Seenu walks away. The story encapsulates the transformative power of genuine relationships and the enduring impact of human connections.