Oohalu Gusagusalade turns 10 today: A trip down memory lane

Today marks the 10th anniversary of Oohalu Gusagusalade, a breezy rom-com that has stood the test of time, capturing the hearts of Telugu cinema lovers with its lighthearted story, charming performances, and humourous moments since.

The film marked the directorial debut of Srinivas Avasarala, who was an actor up till then. He has also written the film and played a key character as well. Srinivas went on to make two more films post Oohalu Gusagusalade, namely Jyo Achyutananda (2016) and Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi (2023). All the films made by the director so far starred Naga Shaurya in the lead role.

All the films directed so far by Srinivas Avasarala have also been in the romantic genre, with one notable difference. While Oohalu Gusagusalade and Jyo Achyutananda were romantic comedies, Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi is a romantic drama. Out of all the films helmed by Srinivas, Oohalu Gusagusalade stood the test of time.

Set in Vizag and Hyderabad, Oohalu Gusagusalade revolves around the romantic trials and tribulations of N Venkateswara Rao alias Venky (Naga Shaurya), Sri Sai Sirisha Prabhavati (Raashi Khanna) and K Uday Bhaskar (Srinivas Avasarala).

Raashi Khanna made her Telugu debut with Oohalu Gusagusalade and went on to have a long and successful career in the film industry. Though she had previously starred in a Bollywood film titled Madras Cafe, Oohalu Gusagusalade was her proper full-fledged debut in all ways. Naga Shaurya was also a couple of films old when Oohalu Gusagusalade came out, and his portrayal of a relatable yet happy-go-lucky young man established his image as the go-to hero for romantic comedies over the next decade.

While there are many films that use the subplot of two men loving the same woman, Oohalu Gusagusalade brings a twist to this otherwise common trope by having one man help the other man win the heart of a woman he first loved. While this set of events could easily turn into something super dramatic or tense, Oohalu Gusagusalade is light and easygoing in its treatment throughout the film.

The film’s otherwise straightforward plot is made memorable with the help of soulful songs composed by Kalyani Malik. Em Sandeham Ledhu and Emiti Hadavadi are some of the songs from the film that are widely enjoyed to this day.

The overall narrative of the film is aptly punctuated with pleasantly ticklish comedy sequences featuring the lead trio alongside Rao Ramesh, Posani Krishna Murali, Prudviraj and Harish Koyalagundla. The dialogues of the film, written by Srinivas Avasarala, give refreshing tweaks to classical Telugu witticisms.

The film, produced by Sai Korrapati’s Varahi Chalana Chitram banner, is inspired by a French play titled Cyrano De Bergerac, written way back in 1897. Srinivas also pays homage to American filmmaker Woody Allen’s classic romantic comedy Annie Hall (1977), with the punny catchphrase “Anni Hall lone”

In an era where heroes are increasingly opting for macho films, romantic comedies like Oohalu Gusagusalade are a timely reminder of how films don’t always have to be serious or masalafied in order to be successful. Slice-of-life cinema has its own myriad joys to offer to audience from all walks of life.