ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi

ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi is a 2013 Malayalam comedy film directed by Martin Prakkat, produced by Shibu Thameens under the banner of Thameens_films.[2] It stars Dulquer Salmaan, Jacob Gregory, Aparna Gopinath and Tovino Thomas in the lead roles. The film features music composed by Gopi Sunder, cinematography is handled by Jomon T. John.[3] The film deals about the journey of two young American Malayalees to Kerala. The title is based on the term American-Born Confused Desi.[4] The film was remade in Telugu with the same name starring Allu Sirish.[5]

Not to be confused with ABCD – American Born Confused Desi.

ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi
Theatrical-release poster
Directed byMartin Prakkat
Produced byNizar Najeeb
Screenplay by
Story bySooraj-Neeraj
Starring
Music byGopi Sunder
CinematographyJomon T. John
Edited byDon Max
Production
company
Thameens_films
Distributed byThameens_films & Tricolor Entertainments
PJ Entertainments (Europe)
Release date
  • 14 June 2013 (2013-06-14)
Running time
167 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Plot

The story revolves around two spoiled youngsters, Jones Isaac (Dulquer Salmaan) and his cousin Korah (Jacob Gregory). Jones is the son of a millionaire named Isaac (Lalu Alex) who is settled in New York, while Korah's mother left for Paris with her new husband. Jones and Korah enjoy their luxurious life by driving expensive cars, going to pubs, etc. Isaac decides to send them to India, telling them it is a vacation, but then blocks their credit cards, forcing them to live in poverty in Kerala, where they eventually become famous. Jones and Korah are given very poor accommodations where even the toilet water is scanty. They try to make money through underhand methods but are duped. Now their only way to go back to the US is by participating in Mr Fame and winning the prize money (₹1,00,000). So they participate in a protest which ends up in police batton charge. This gives popularity to Jones and Korah, but draws the attention of Akhilesh, an election candidate who tries to trap them by tearing their visas. Jones hits Akhilesh, giving him a scrotal injury, near election time. This makes the minister handle the situation without much problem-creating by no arrest recording but a fast transport of Jones and Korah to America telling about them as American citizens. Apart from easy visa, Mr Fame award is also announced which goes to Jones. Now in America, Jones is back starting a new life, but, the movie ends by showing a black person coming out of a car and shouting at the gate of residence where Jones lives for revenge.

Cast

Production

The project was announced a few months before its shoot, acquiring the licence to shoot in the US delayed the commencement of the project.[6] Initially many actresses were considered for the heroine including Isha Talwar, but theatre artist Aparna Gopinath was selected for the role in her debut film.[7][8] Jacob Gregory, a mutual friend of Martin played the character of Korah. He himself showed interest in playing Korah and auditioned for the role. He had been part of the film from the scripting process itself.[9]

Filming

The shooting was announced to start in March 2013 in U.S.[6] New York City was the main location for the scenes shot in America.[10] The original plan was to start the shooting of the film in the U.S. but that had to be changed after it became difficult to get the required permission and the visas. So the schedules were altered and the scenes in Kerala was wrapped up first. The college scenes were shot inside the Federal Institute of Science And Technology (FISAT), Angamaly. The filming of few 'montage cuts' for showing in between the songs were shot at the college.[8]

Critical reception

Unni R Nair of Kerala9 stated that the movie is a "confused mess to an extent" and was "not up to the mark", but gave 3.5 stars in a scale of 5.[11] Sudheer Shah, writing for IndiaGlitz, awarded the movie 6.5 stars out of 10, concluding that "ABCD is one movie that must not be taken with any bit of seriousness." and that "If you have a few hours to laugh out for simple jokes that are not that intelligent, this is your movie."[12] Shekhar of OneIndia gave the movie 3/5 stars, called the movie "a wonderful comedy entertainer, which has an interesting story" and said that "If you are comedy lover, don't miss to watch this film."[13] Aswin J Kumar of The Times of India wrote that the movie is "watchable for the chemistry between Johns and Kora", giving it 3 stars.[14] Rahul of Metro Matinee rated the movie as Entertaining, while stating that "it entertains in full throttle, asks the right questions and provides moments of emotional ecstasy and angst, all of which is part and parcel of a feel good movie."[15] Paresh C Palicha of Rediff awarded the movie 2.5 stars, and wrote that the movie "is a showcase for Dulquer Salmaan; nothing more, nothing less."[16]

Soundtrack
ABCD
Soundtrack album by
Gopi Sundar
Released6 June 2013 (2013-06-06)
GenreFilm soundtrack
Length25:32
LanguageMalayalam
LabelManorama Music
ProducerGopi Sundar
Gopi Sundar chronology
Left Right Left
(2013)		 ABCD
(2013)		 5 Sundarikal
(2013)

The music of the film is from Gopi Sundar. The soundtrack features a remixed version of the song "Nayaapaisayilla" sung by Mehaboob for the 1960 film Neelisally. This version is sung by Junior Mehaboob.[17]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Johnny Mone Johnny"Santhosh Varma, Anna Katharina ValayilDulquer Salmaan, Anna Katharina Valayil4:32
2."Sivane"Santhosh VarmaSuchith Suresan4:25
3."Vaanam"Rafeeq AhammedGopi Sundar, Anna Katharina Valayil4:20
4."Nayapaisa illa (Remix), Neelisaali (1960)" junior mehboob, Anna Katharina Valayil, San Jaimt4:20
Total length:25:32

References
  1. "ABCD – AMERICAN BORN CONFUSED DESI (15)". British Board of Film Classification. 27 June 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  2. "Dulquar Salman Martin Prakkat Movie Titled ABCD | ABCD Dulquar Salman Movie – Online Movie And TV Reporter". Mallumoviereporter.com. 17 October 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  3. "Dulquer Salmaan – Martin Prakkat movie titled as "ABCD"..? :News – Movie News , Film News , Cinema News – Malayalam Movie News". Metromatinee.com. 15 October 2012. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  4. Deepa Gauri (26 December 2013). "The best of Malayalam cinema in 2013". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  5. https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/abcd-first-look-allu-sirish-release-date-5513894/
  6. Shiba Kurian (18 October 2012). "Dulquer Salmaan as a confused desi! – Times Of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  7. Nambidi, Parvathy. "Aparna Gopinath dances her way to Mollywood". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  8. George, Vijay (8 November 2012). "Back to roots". The Hindu. Chennai, India.
  9. Sathyendran, Nita (14 November 2012). "Life imitates art". The Hindu. Chennai, India.
  10. "ABCD: In awe of Martin's visual mastery – The Times of India". The Times Of India.
  11. Unni R Nair (14 June 2013). "ABCD Malayalam Movie Review". Kerala9. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  12. Sudheer Shah (17 June 2013). "ABCD – American Born Confused Desi Movie Review". IndiaGlitz. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  13. Shekhar (18 June 2013). "ABCD – Movie Review". OneIndia. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  14. Aswin J Kumar (16 June 2013). "ABCD Movie Review". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  15. Rahul (14 June 2013). "ABCD Film Review". MetroMatinee. Archived from the original on 17 June 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.Entertaining
  16. Paresh C Palicha (17 June 2013). "Review: Malayalam film ABCD". Rediff. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  17. "That forgotten maverick's voice..." Archived 20 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Thehindu.com (3 January 2013). Retrieved on 2015-07-18.
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