View source for ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi 2013 film

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{{Infobox film
| name           = ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi
| image          = ABCD Malayalam movie Poster - from Commons.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Martin Prakkat]]
| producer       = Shibu Thameens
| writer         = Martin Prakkat<br/>Naveen Bhaskar<br/>Sooraj-Neeraj
| screenplay     = 
| story          = 
| starring       = {{plainlist|
* [[Dulquer Salman]]
* [[Jacob Gregory]]
* [[Tovino Thomas]]
* [[Aparna Gopinath]]
}}
| music          = [[Gopi Sunder]]
| cinematography = [[Jomon T. John]]
| editing        = [[Don Max (film editor)|Don Max]]
| studio         = [[Thameens Films]]
| distributor    = Thameens Films<br/>Tricolor Entertainments
| released       = {{Film date|df=yes|2013|06|14}}
| runtime        = 167 minutes<ref>{{cite web|title=''ABCD – AMERICAN BORN CONFUSED DESI'' (15)|url=http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/abcd-american-born-confused-desi-2013-0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305082431/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/abcd-american-born-confused-desi-2013-0|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 March 2016|work=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|date=27 June 2013|access-date=27 June 2013}}</ref>
| country        = India
| language       = Malayalam
| budget         = ₹4.5 crore<ref name="The News Minute" /><!--Must be attributed to a reliable published source with an established reputation for fact-checking. No blogs, no IMDb.-->
| gross          = <!--Must be attributed to a reliable published source with an established reputation for fact-checking. No blogs, no IMDb.-->
}}
'''''ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi''''' is a 2013 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[black comedy film]] directed by [[Martin Prakkat]], and produced by Shibu Thameens under the banner of [[Thameens Films]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=http://www.mallumoviereporter.com/2012/10/dulquar-salman-martin-prakkat-movie.html |title=Dulquar Salman Martin Prakkat Movie Titled ABCD &#124; ABCD Dulquar Salman Movie – Online Movie And TV Reporter |publisher=Mallumoviereporter.com |date=17 October 2012 |access-date=27 October 2012 |archive-date=19 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019215550/http://www.mallumoviereporter.com/2012/10/dulquar-salman-martin-prakkat-movie.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> It stars [[Dulquer Salmaan]], [[Jacob Gregory]], [[Tovino Thomas]], and [[Aparna Gopinath]]. The film features music composed by [[Gopi Sunder]], and cinematography by [[Jomon T. John]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metromatinee.com/News/Dulquer%20Salmaan%20%20Martin%20Prakkat%20movie%20titled%20as%20ABCD..-4510-1 |title=Dulquer Salmaan – Martin Prakkat movie titled as "ABCD"..? :News – Movie News, Film News, Cinema News – Malayalam Movie News |publisher=Metromatinee.com |date=15 October 2012 |access-date=27 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018003857/http://www.metromatinee.com/News/Dulquer%20Salmaan%20%20Martin%20Prakkat%20movie%20titled%20as%20ABCD..-4510-1 |archive-date=18 October 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The film deals with the journey of two young American Malayalees to [[Kerala]]. The title is based on the term [[American-Born Confused Desi]].<ref name="KT">{{cite news|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/citytimes/inside.asp?xfile=/data/citytimes/2013/December/citytimes_December198.xml&section=citytimes |title=The best of Malayalam cinema in 2013 |last=Deepa Gauri |date=26 December 2013 |work=[[Khaleej Times]] |access-date=22 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102124957/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/citytimes/inside.asp?xfile=%2Fdata%2Fcitytimes%2F2013%2FDecember%2Fcitytimes_December198.xml&section=citytimes |archivedate=2 January 2014 }}</ref> Released on 14 June 2013, the film received positive reviews and was commercially successful.<ref name=":1" /> It marked the first collaboration between Dulquer Salmaan and Martin Prakkat.<ref name=":0" /> The film was remade into Telugu in 2019 with the [[ABCD – American Born Confused Desi|same name]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/abcd-first-look-allu-sirish-release-date-5513894/|title = ABCD first look: Allu Sirish's film will release in February|date = 28 December 2018}}</ref>

==Plot==
The story revolves around two rich spoilt brats who were born in the [[United States|U.S]].: Johns Isaac, and his cousin Korah Murikken. Johns is the son of a millionaire named Isaac John who is settled in New York, while Korah's mother left for Paris with her new husband. Johns and Korah enjoy their luxurious lives by driving expensive cars, going to pubs and nightclubs, playing pranks on public. Isaac decides to send both of them to India, saying that it is a vacation before Johns goes to Melbourne for his [[MBA]] studies the next month. He then blocks Johns and Korah's credit cards post their arrival in India. Johns and Korah initially stay at a luxurious hotel apartment unaware that their credit cards are useless. Upon realizing their financial situation, they try to escape from the apartment to avoid paying. However, they are caught by the security guard. He brings them to the manager who then confiscates their mobile phones, tablets PCs and wrist watches. Isaac provides Johns and Korah with very poor accommodation with water from the nearby community dug well and a [[public toilet]]. They try to make money through underhand methods but are duped. With all of their money gone, they are left with no choice but to join the MBA studies at a local university that Isaac arranged for them, along with {{INR}}5000 monthly for their combined expenses, provided they attend their classes regularly.

They befriend a student and social worker, Madhumitha, from their college. Johns, out of romantic interest, takes part in Madhumita's social works and protests during which they get to know each other better. One of Madhumita's friends Seenamol, a journalist, publishes a fabricated article on Johns and Korah's poor upbringing and how they manage to survive on just {{INR}} 83 per day, which gains widespread popularity, making Johns and Korah overnight public figures. This triggers Akhilesh, the son of the late minister K. P. Ravi Varma, whose government claimed that {{INR}} 28 per day is enough to survive in the current economy. Johns and Korah's popularity is on the rise along with their frustration. Battling sociopolitical issues on their journey they realize one day that their only way to go back to the U.S. is by winning a competition called ''Youth Icon of the year'' and the prize money of {{INR}}100,000. So, they participate in a protest which ends up in a police [[Baton (law enforcement)#Indian subcontinent|baton]] charge. This raises their popularity and votes in the competition, much to the disappointment of Akhilesh, who is a candidate in the upcoming election. Seeing the duo's bravery, [[Naxalite]] representatives approach them and give them a handgun seeking their support in future. Johns & Korah realize things are getting out of hand and go [[Desertion|AWOL]], but later are found to have taken refuge at Madhumita's house.

Madhumita loans them money to go back to the US. However, Akhilesh tracks them down and confiscates their passports. Johns fights off Akhilesh but surrenders to law enforcement agencies. The ministry confirms in a press conference that Johns and Korah are not Indian citizens and, thus, are not legally allowed to be involved in sociopolitical matters of India and are hence being deported. Now back in America, Johns and Korah return Madhumita's loan while also expressing Johns' romantic interest in her but Madhumita has other plans. As the movie ends, during the family prayer, an anonymous person arrives in front of the duo's house and shouts for revenge for one of Johns' earlier [[Practical joke|pranks]]. Johns and Korah escape through the back door.

==Cast==
{{Colbegin}}
* [[Dulquer Salmaan]] as Johns Isaac
* [[Jacob Gregory]] as Korah Murikken
* [[Tovino Thomas]] as Akhilesh Varma
* [[Aparna Gopinath]] as Madhumitha (voice dubbed by [[Angel Shijoy]])
* [[Lalu Alex]] as Dr. Isaac John, Johns' father
* Sajini Zacharia as Susan, Johns' mother
* [[Vijayaraghavan]] as Chief Minister P. K. Ravi Varma
* [[S. P. Sreekumar]] as Lloyd Fernandes 
* [[Sijoy Varghese]] as Police Commissioner 
* [[Shivaji Guruvayoor]] as Vennala Gopalan
* [[Kalpana (Malayalam actress)|Kalpana]] as Selinamma
* [[Dinesh Panicker]] as Shekharan Pillai
* [[Nandu (actor)|Nandhu]] as Kunjachan
* [[Chembil Ashokan]] as Scaria "Kuriachan"
* [[Thampi Antony]] as Thampi
* [[Kalasala Babu]] as Chief Minister 
* [[Anand (actor)|Anand]] as Pothen
* [[Surabhi Lakshmi]] as Seenamol
* [[Kalabhavan Navas]] as Saji
* [[Abi Varghese]] as Sebastin, Johns's and Korah's cousin
* [[Anjali Nair (actress, born 1988)|Anjali Nair]] as Newsreader
* [[Krishna Prasad (actor)|Krishna Prasad]] as Showroom manager 
* Samson Matthew Valiyaparambil as College Professor 
* [[Santhakumari (Malayalam actress)|Santhakumari]] as Colony lady
* [[Hakim Shahjahan]] as College student 
{{Colend}}

==Production==
The project was announced a few months before its shoot, but acquiring the licence to shoot in the US delayed the commencement of the project.<ref name="indiatimes1">{{cite news|author =Shiba Kurian |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/malayalam/news-and-interviews/Dulquer-Salmaan-as-a-confused-desi/articleshow/16850435.cms |title=Dulquer Salmaan as a confused desi! |work=The Times of India |date=18 October 2012 |access-date=27 October 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Nambidi |first=Parvathy |url=http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/article1313775.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130413220140/http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/article1313775.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 April 2013 |title=Aparna Gopinath dances her way to Mollywood |newspaper=The New Indian Express |access-date=27 October 2012}}</ref><ref name="thehindu.com">{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/back-to-roots/article4077184.ece | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | first=Vijay | last=George | title=Back to roots | date=8 November 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/life-imitates-art/article4094932.ece | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | first=Nita | last=Sathyendran | title=Life imitates art | date=14 November 2012}}</ref>

===Filming===
The shooting was announced to start in March 2013 in the U.S.<ref name="indiatimes1" /> [[New York City]] was the main location for the scenes shot in America.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/malayalam/news-and-interviews/ABCD-In-awe-of-Martins-visual-mastery/articleshow/17664693.cms | work=The Times of India | title=ABCD: In awe of Martin's visual mastery – The Times of India}}</ref> 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 were wrapped up first. The college scenes were shot inside the [[Federal Institute of Science And Technology]] (FISAT), [[Angamaly]]. The filming of a few 'montage cuts' for showing in between the songs were shot at the college.<ref name="thehindu.com" />

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name       = ABCD
| type       = Soundtrack
| artist     = [[Gopi Sundar]]
| cover      =
| alt        =
| released   = {{Start date|df=yes|2013|6|6}}
| recorded   =
| venue      =
| studio     =
| genre      = [[Film soundtrack]]
| length     = {{Duration|m=25|s=32}}
| language   = Malayalam
| label      = [[Manorama Music]]
| producer   = [[Gopi Sundar]]
| prev_title = [[Sound Thoma]]
| prev_year  = 2013
| next_title = [[5 Sundarikal]]
| next_year  = 2013
}}
The music of the film is from [[Gopi Sundar]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nambidi |first1=Parvathy |title=A frothy expat tale comes home |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2013/Jun/13/a-frothy-expat-tale-comes-home-486355.html |access-date=2 April 2024 |publisher=The New Indian Express |date=13 June 2013}}</ref> The soundtrack features a remixed version of the song "Nayaapaisayilla" sung by [[Mehboob (singer)|Mehaboob]] for the 1960 film ''Neelisaali''. This version is sung by Junior Mehaboob.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/that-forgotten-mavericks-voice/article4269199.ece "That forgotten maverick's voice..."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120042233/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/that-forgotten-mavericks-voice/article4269199.ece |date=20 January 2013 }}. Thehindu.com (3 January 2013). Retrieved 2015-07-18.</ref>
{{track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 25:32
| title1 = Johnny Mone Johnny
| lyrics1 = Santhosh Varma, [[Anna Katharina Valayil]]
| extra1 = [[Dulquer Salmaan]], [[Anna Katharina Valayil]]
| length1 = 4:32
| title2 = Sivane
| lyrics2 = Santhosh Varma
| extra2 = [[Suchith Suresan]]
| length2 = 4:25
| title3 = Vaanam
| lyrics3 = [[Rafeeq Ahammed]]
| extra3 = [[Gopi Sundar]], [[Anna Katharina Valayil]]
| length3 = 4:20
| title4 =Nayapaisayilla (Remix)
| lyrics4 = [[P. Bhaskaran]]
| extra4 =Junior Mehboob, [[Anna Katharina Valayil]], Asif Akber, [[San Jaimt]]
| length4 = 4:20
}}

==Release==
The film was released on 14 June 2013.

===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.<ref name="R2">{{cite web|title=ABCD Malayalam Movie Review|url=http://kerala9.com/news/abcd-malayalam-movie-review/|author=Unni R Nair|publisher=Kerala9|date=14 June 2013|access-date=18 June 2013|archive-date=18 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618013428/http://kerala9.com/news/abcd-malayalam-movie-review/|url-status=dead}}{{Rating|3.5|5}}</ref> 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."<ref name="R3">{{cite web|title=ABCD – American Born Confused Desi Movie Review|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/review/17592.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620123528/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/review/17592.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 June 2013|author =Sudheer Shah|website=IndiaGlitz|date=17 June 2013|access-date=18 June 2013}}{{Rating|6.5|10}}</ref> 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."<ref name="R4">{{cite web|title=ABCD – Movie Review|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/reviews/2013/abcd-american-born-confused-desi-movie-review-112006.html|author=Shekhar|work=[[Oneindia.in|OneIndia]]|date=18 June 2013|access-date=18 June 2013|archive-date=18 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618031926/http://entertainment.oneindia.in/malayalam/reviews/2013/abcd-american-born-confused-desi-movie-review-112006.html|url-status=live}}{{Rating|3|5}}</ref> 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.<ref name="R5">{{cite news|title=ABCD Movie Review|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/malayalam/movie-reviews/ABCD-American-Born-Confused-Desi/movie-review/20612900.cms|author =Aswin J Kumar|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=16 June 2013|access-date=18 June 2013}}{{Rating|3|5}}</ref> 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."<ref name="R6">{{cite web|title=ABCD Film Review|url=http://www.metromatinee.com/Review/ABCD%20Review-287-1|author=Rahul|publisher=MetroMatinee|date=14 June 2013|access-date=18 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617220859/http://www.metromatinee.com/Review/ABCD%20Review-287-1|archive-date=17 June 2013|url-status=dead}}''Entertaining''</ref> 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."<ref name="R9">{{cite web|title=Review: Malayalam film ABCD|url=http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/11490/malayalam/abcd/4277/review.htm|author=Paresh C Palicha|work=[[Rediff.com]]|date=17 June 2013|access-date=18 June 2013|archive-date=18 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618182114/http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/11490/malayalam/abcd/4277/review.htm|url-status=dead}}{{Rating|2.5|5}}</ref>

===Box office===
The film became a commercial success.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dulquer Salmaan's journey to stardom|url=https://www.sify.com/movies/dulquer-salmaans-journey-to-stardom-imagegallery-malayalam-pexnNrbdidhii.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619185619/http://www.sify.com/movies/dulquer-salmaans-journey-to-stardom-imagegallery-malayalam-pexnNrbdidhii.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 June 2015|website=[[Sify]]|date=18 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Allu Sirish on ABCD: We have only taken the soul of the Malayalam version|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/allu-sirish-on-abcd-5730786/|publisher=[[The Indian Express]]|date=16 May 2019}}</ref> The film collected $48,711(₹36.31 lakhs) in three weeks from the United Kingdom box office.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|title=ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl4173628417/weekend/|publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]]|date=3 July 2013}}</ref> The film collected around ₹12.5 crore from Kerala box office.<ref name="The News Minute">{{cite web|title=Allu Sirish's 'ABCD' ready for summer release|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/allu-sirish-s-abcd-ready-summer-release-99746|publisher=[[The News Minute]]|date=9 April 2019}}</ref> The film ran 101 days in theatres.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/abcd-101-days-celebration-malayalam-videos-45139|title=ABCD' 101 DAYS CELEBRATION|work=Indiaglitz|date=10 October 2013}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20130621184303/http://www.abcdmovie.com:80/}}
* {{IMDb title|2956300|ABCD}}

[[Category:2013 films]]
[[Category:2013 Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:2013 comedy films]]
[[Category:Indian comedy films]]
[[Category:Malayalam films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Indian films set in New York City]]
[[Category:Films about Indian Americans]]
[[Category:Films scored by Gopi Sundar]]
[[Category:Films shot in New York City]]
[[Category:Films shot in Kochi]]
[[Category:Films directed by Martin Prakkat]]
[[Category:Comedy films about Asian Americans]]
[[Category:2013 Indian films]]