Avakai Biryani
Encyclopedia
Avakai Biryani is a critically acclaimed 2008
Telugu film written and directed by Anish Kuruvilla. Filmed in Telugu
, the film revolves around Akbar Kalam, a Muslim
auto rickshaw
-driver and Lakshmi Jandhyala, a traditional Hindu
woman with a romantic backdrop. The film stars debutant actors, Kamal Kamaraju and Bindu Madhavi in the leading roles.
auto rickshaw
-driver in Devarakonda, a small village in Andhra Pradesh
. Despite being a poor orphan, he strives to become a graduate. However, his poor language skills in English cause him to fail at every attempt. To support himself, he drives a leased auto rickshaw from his village to the nearest town.
Lakshmi Jandhyala (Bindu Madhavi) and her family — a father, mother, and younger brother — move into Devarakonda after they lose everything in Polavaram
. Being the family's bread-winner, Lakshmi takes it upon herself to get them a fresh start by selling home-made pickles
. Lakshmi's father, being a staunch Hindu
, hates the Muslim
community in general and asks his family to refrain from any contact with them.
By chance, Lakshmi and Akbar meet and it extends itself into a good friendship. Whenever possible, Lakshmi helps Akbar in improving his English language skills. Due his gentlemanly nature and his individuality, Lakshmi starts to like him. Akbar likes her too. The rest of the movie is about how they get past obstacles to get married.
in Rockford. At that time, Sekhar Kammula
cast Kuruvilla for Dollar Dreams
- Kammula's maiden directorial venture. Kuruvilla help Kammula in not only acting, but also by assisting him with the direction. Their relationship continued with the rest of Kammula's films - Anand
(2004), Godavari
(2006) and Happy Days (2007 film)
(2007). It was only after the latter film, Kuruvilla found himself ready to direct feature films. Though Kuruvilla had directed a film titled Naa Video Diary in 2007, Avakai Biryani was his first feature film.
Having the story ready, Kuruvilla narrated it to Kammula shortly after the release of Happy Days. Kammula liked the "nobility in the story"; asked him to expand it further. Kuruvilla was not only unsure about his story finding acceptance with Kammula, but also about the film's commercial success. In an special interview conducted by Kammula, Kuruvilla said:
Kammula gave him the freedom to select the cast and crew for the film. After Kammula was satisfied with the third draft of the script, he did not involve himself with the rest of the filmmaking
. Kuruvilla revealed that the script was a result of two years of his research. Having worked with Kammula before, Kuruvilla found his influence in his use of natural dialogues, characterization of the female protagonist and the taste of music.
Madanapalle
-born and Chennai
-based Bindu Madhavi was a model for sarees, jewelry and other consumer products. When she received the offer for the lead role, she accepted it right away after realizing that it involved Kammula and Kuruvilla. This film marked her debut as a mainstream actress.
2008 in film
This is a list of all major films made in 2008.-Highest-grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2008...
Telugu film written and directed by Anish Kuruvilla. Filmed in Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
, the film revolves around Akbar Kalam, a Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
auto rickshaw
Auto rickshaw
An auto rickshaw or three-wheeler is a usually three-wheeled cabin cycle for private use and as a vehicle for hire. It is a motorized version of the traditional pulled rickshaw or cycle rickshaw...
-driver and Lakshmi Jandhyala, a traditional Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
woman with a romantic backdrop. The film stars debutant actors, Kamal Kamaraju and Bindu Madhavi in the leading roles.
Plot
Akbar Kalam is a MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
auto rickshaw
Auto rickshaw
An auto rickshaw or three-wheeler is a usually three-wheeled cabin cycle for private use and as a vehicle for hire. It is a motorized version of the traditional pulled rickshaw or cycle rickshaw...
-driver in Devarakonda, a small village in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
. Despite being a poor orphan, he strives to become a graduate. However, his poor language skills in English cause him to fail at every attempt. To support himself, he drives a leased auto rickshaw from his village to the nearest town.
Lakshmi Jandhyala (Bindu Madhavi) and her family — a father, mother, and younger brother — move into Devarakonda after they lose everything in Polavaram
Polavaram
Polavaram is a village and mandal in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is about 35 km away from the banks of Godavari River at Papi Hills of Eastern Ghats. It consists of 23 villages, 4 in plain area and 19 in scheduled area. The Geddapalli panchayat & its villages are in...
. Being the family's bread-winner, Lakshmi takes it upon herself to get them a fresh start by selling home-made pickles
Indian pickle
Indian pickles are made from certain individual varieties of vegetables and fruits that are chopped into small pieces and cooked in edible oils like sesame oil or brine with many different Indian spices like asafetida, red chili powder, turmeric, fenugreek and plenty of salt. Some regions also...
. Lakshmi's father, being a staunch Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
, hates the Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
community in general and asks his family to refrain from any contact with them.
By chance, Lakshmi and Akbar meet and it extends itself into a good friendship. Whenever possible, Lakshmi helps Akbar in improving his English language skills. Due his gentlemanly nature and his individuality, Lakshmi starts to like him. Akbar likes her too. The rest of the movie is about how they get past obstacles to get married.
Production
Anish Kuruvilla previously assisted Nagesh KukunoorNagesh Kukunoor
Nagesh Kukunoor is an Indian filmmaker and screenwriter. He is known for movies such as Hyderabad Blues , Rockford , 3 Deewarein and Iqbal .-Early life:...
in Rockford. At that time, Sekhar Kammula
Sekhar Kammula
Sekhar Kammula is an award-winning Indian Film director, writer and producer from Telugu cinema.-Early life:Sekhar was schooled at St. Patrick's High School, Secunderabad. He completed his intermediate studies from St...
cast Kuruvilla for Dollar Dreams
Dollar Dreams (film)
Dollar Dreams is a bilingual film directed and produced by Sekhar Kammula starring Anish Kuruvilla, Priyanka Veer, Santosh Kumar , Anil Prashanth and Dashveer Singh.-Plot:...
- Kammula's maiden directorial venture. Kuruvilla help Kammula in not only acting, but also by assisting him with the direction. Their relationship continued with the rest of Kammula's films - Anand
Anand (2004 film)
Anand is a 2004 Telugu film that was directed, produced and written by Sekhar Kammula. According to Kammula, the film means ..contentment, happiness. The lead roles are played by Raja and Kamalinee Mukherjee. The film was well received by critics and owing to its success at the box office, it was...
(2004), Godavari
Godavari (film)
Godavari is a 2006 Telugu musical, romantic film that was written and directed by Sekhar Kammula. G.V.G. Raju produced the film. Sumanth and Kamalinee Mukherjee played the lead roles. The film was a success at box office in addition to receiving several Nandi and Filmfare awards. Music of the film...
(2006) and Happy Days (2007 film)
Happy Days (2007 film)
Happy Days is a 2007 film directed by Sekhar Kammula. The film was very popular in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala. The target audience for this movie was primarily the engineering college students in these states...
(2007). It was only after the latter film, Kuruvilla found himself ready to direct feature films. Though Kuruvilla had directed a film titled Naa Video Diary in 2007, Avakai Biryani was his first feature film.
Having the story ready, Kuruvilla narrated it to Kammula shortly after the release of Happy Days. Kammula liked the "nobility in the story"; asked him to expand it further. Kuruvilla was not only unsure about his story finding acceptance with Kammula, but also about the film's commercial success. In an special interview conducted by Kammula, Kuruvilla said:
"When I narrated the story to you, I expected 50/50 chance of you accepting the film. There are some elements that appeal to your sensibilities and some elements are unique to me. The avakai girl character will be liked by you. But there are some elements which might not be liked by you. Lucky, you liked the soul of the story. Another apprehension I had was the audience’s expectations. They come to theaters expecting a Sekhar Kammula’s movie
."
Kammula gave him the freedom to select the cast and crew for the film. After Kammula was satisfied with the third draft of the script, he did not involve himself with the rest of the filmmaking
Filmmaking
Filmmaking is the process of making a film, from an initial story, idea, or commission, through scriptwriting, casting, shooting, directing, editing, and screening the finished product before an audience that may result in a theatrical release or television program...
. Kuruvilla revealed that the script was a result of two years of his research. Having worked with Kammula before, Kuruvilla found his influence in his use of natural dialogues, characterization of the female protagonist and the taste of music.
Madanapalle
Madanapalle
Madanapalle , is a town and a Municipality located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh state, India - population 107,512 . Legend has it that the name of the town was originally " Maryaada raamanna puram" which has over time, changed into " Madanapalle".It is one of the biggest Revenue...
-born and Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
-based Bindu Madhavi was a model for sarees, jewelry and other consumer products. When she received the offer for the lead role, she accepted it right away after realizing that it involved Kammula and Kuruvilla. This film marked her debut as a mainstream actress.