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{{short description|1985 film}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Babai Abbai
| image = Babai Abbai.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| writer = Jandhyala
| screenplay =
| producer = S. Sudhakar Reddy
| director = [[Jandhyala]]
| starring = [[Nandamuri Balakrishna]]<br />Anitha Reddy
| narrator =
| music = [[K. Chakravarthy|Chakravarthy]]
| cinematography = [[S. Gopal Reddy]]
| editing = Gowtam Raju
| story =
| studio = Ushodhaya Movies
| distributor =
| released = {{Film date|df=y|1985|2|8}}
| runtime = 122 minutes
| country = India
| language = Telugu
| budget =
| gross =
}}

'''''Babai Abbai''''' ({{Translation|Uncle - Nephew}}) is a 1985 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[comedy film]] written and directed by [[Jandhyala]]. The film stars [[Nandamuri Balakrishna]] and Anitha Reddy, with [[Suthi Veerabhadra Rao]] and [[Suthi Velu]] in key roles. The film features music composed by [[K. Chakravarthy|Chakravarthy]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Babai Abbai (1985) |url=https://indiancine.ma/ZMU/info |access-date=2024-12-24 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>

The film's plot is inspired by the 1954 Telugu film ''[[Vaddante Dabbu]]'', which was based on the 1902 novel ''[[Brewster's Millions]]'' by [[George Barr McCutcheon]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> ''Babai Abbai'' marks the debut of Anitha Reddy as a heroine and introduces [[Vizag Prasad]] in a supporting role. The film was released on 8 February 1985.<ref name=":1" />

==Plot==
The film follows two con artists, Balasubramanyam "Bala" and Veera, who, despite their chaotic lives, share a close bond and refer to each other as Babai (uncle) and Abbai (son). Their livelihood consists of taking debt and absconding from creditors. Bala meets and falls in love with Krishnaveni, the daughter of a wealthy businessman, Vara Prasad Rao. To test Bala's character, Vara Prasad Rao gives him ₹25 [[lakh]], with the condition that he spends the entire amount within 30 days without donating or destroying it, and also refrains from meeting Krishnaveni during this period.

Bala embarks on this challenge under Veera's guidance, trying different methods to spend the money, including gambling, racing, making a film, and building a house. However, his efforts only increase his wealth, which eventually frustrates him. In the end, Bala discards the money into the sea, just as Vara Prasad Rao arrives to evaluate his progress. Vara Prasad Rao reveals that the task was not about spending money but about studying Bala's character and showing him the futility of wealth gained through deceit. The film concludes with Bala and Krishnaveni's marriage, bringing the story to a happy resolution.

==Cast==
Source:<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Pulagam Chinanarayana |author-link=Pulagam Chinnarayana |date=25 September 2006 |editor-last=Sri |editor2-last=NaChaKi |title=Retrospect: Babai-Abbai (1985) |url=http://www.telugucinema.com/tc/movies/retro_babai-abbai1985.php |access-date=2024-12-24 |website=[[Telugucinema.com]] |archive-date=29 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070429003636/http://www.telugucinema.com/tc/movies/retro_babai-abbai1985.php |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>
{{Cast listing|
*[[Nandamuri Balakrishna]] as Bala / Balasubramanyam
*Anitha Reddy as Krishnaveni
*[[Suthi Veerabhadra Rao]] as Babai / Veerabhadra Rao
*[[Suthi Velu]] as Vara Prasad Rao
*[[Gadde Rajendra Prasad|Rajendra Prasad]] as Taxi driver
*[[Rallapalli (actor)|Rallapalli]] as Babai's Father-in-law
*[[Kota Srinivasa Rao]]
*[[Vizag Prasad]] as Inspector Syam Sundar / Akitabh Bachchan (debut film)
*Malladi as Lawyer
*[[Potti Prasad]] as Madman
*K. K. Sarma
*[[Chitti Babu Punyamurthula|Chitti Babu]]
*Satti Babu as Manager Jabar
*Chidatala Appa Rao
*Dham
*Jeet Mohan Mitra
*[[Sri Lakshmi (actress)|Sri Lakshmi]] as Aruna
*Kakinada Syamala as Aruna's mother
*[[Radha Kumari]] as Subbulu
*[[Pavala Syamala]] as Sundari
*[[Nirmalamma]] as Godaramma
}}

== Production ==

=== Development ===
''Babai Abbai'' was inspired by the 1954 Telugu film ''[[Vaddante Dabbu]]'', which in turn was based on the [[English language|English]] novel ''[[Brewster's Millions]]'' (1902) by [[George Barr McCutcheon]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Parankusam |first=Aditya |date=11 June 2017 |title=Chronicles of screwball comedy |url=http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Hans/2017-06-11/Chronicles-of-screwball-comedy/305770 |access-date=1 March 2018 |work=[[The Hans India]] |archive-date=1 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301151025/http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Hans/2017-06-11/Chronicles-of-screwball-comedy/305770 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2022-06-08 |title=Narthanasala to Akbar Salim Anarkali, List of Remakes Starring Nandamuri Balakrishna |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/narthanasala-to-akbar-salim-anarkali-list-of-remakes-nandamuri-balakrishna-worked-in-5335177.html |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=[[News18]] |archive-date=22 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622205342/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/narthanasala-to-akbar-salim-anarkali-list-of-remakes-nandamuri-balakrishna-worked-in-5335177.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The climax of the film drew comparisons to the 1963 American film ''[[It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World]]''.<ref name=":0" />

=== Casting ===
''Babai Abbai'' marked the debut of Anitha Reddy as a heroine. Although she had signed ''Srivari Sobhanam'' (1985) earlier, also directed by Jandhyala, ''Babai Abbai'' was released first. Anitha began her career as a singer in [[K. J. Yesudas]]'s troupe and ventured into films at a very young age as a singer. She had previously sung in ''[[Kirayi Rowdylu]]'' (1981) and also provided vocals for the song "O Priya" in ''Babai Abbai''.<ref name=":0" />

[[Suthi Velu]] was originally cast to play the role of Babai (uncle). However, due to prior commitments, the role was subsequently played by [[Suthi Veerabhadra Rao]], while Velu portrayed the heroine's father.<ref name=":0" />

''Babai Abbai'' also marked the debut of [[Vizag Prasad]], credited as "Prasada Rao (Vizag)." He played the role of Inspector Syam Sundar and was required to ride a [[Royal Enfield Bullet|Bullet]] bike as part of his character. After the first day of shooting, Prasad was involved in an accident while riding the bike, in which another person was injured. The film unit covered the medical expenses, and actor Balakrishna intervened with the police to resolve the matter. Prasad later adopted the stage name "Vizag Prasad" during the filming of ''Mogudu Pellalu'' (1985), with encouragement from Jandhyala.<ref name=":0" />

=== Filming ===
[[Principal photography]] for ''Babai Abbai'' commenced on 7 September 1984, in [[Visakhapatnam]]. Most of the film was shot in and around Visakhapatnam, with a few scenes filmed in [[Chennai|Madras]], including beach sequences and a theatre scene. Most of the cast stayed at the Ocean View Hotel in Visakhapatnam during the production, where a notable scene, featuring Sutti Velu's assistant beating him, was filmed.<ref name=":0" />

The production faced several challenges, including 22 accidents during filming. Balakrishna was involved in two accidents, and Anitha Reddy also encountered two mishaps. In one incident, Anitha, who lacked driving experience, accidentally hit Balakrishna with her vehicle during a scene, resulting in his hospitalisation. Another accident occurred when she collided with a vegetable cart during filming. Both incidents were incorporated into the film. Balakrishna also experienced a fall from a horse while filming the climax but escaped with minor injuries.<ref name=":0" />

==Music==
The music for ''Babai Abbai'' was composed by [[K. Chakravarthy|Chakravarthy]], with lyrics written by [[Veturi]]. The song "Sommu Penchaku" featured Madhavapeddi Ramesh, who imitated his uncle [[Madhavapeddi Satyam]]’s style, earning praise from Satyam himself after hearing the track.<ref name=":0" />

Source:<ref>{{Citation |title=Babai Abbai (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |url=https://music.apple.com/in/album/babai-abbai-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ep/1182458065 |access-date=2024-12-25 |publisher=[[Apple Music]] |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Babai Abbai (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |url=https://gaana.com/album/babai-abbai-original-motion-picture-soundtrack |access-date=2024-12-25 |publisher=[[Gaana (music streaming service)|Gaana]] |language=en}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Song title !!Singers !!Length
|-
|"Telusa Neeku Telusa"
|[[S. Janaki]], [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
|4:19
|-
|"Nee Roopu"
|Srinivasa Murthy, S. Janaki
|4:15
|-
|"O Priya"
|Anitha Reddy, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
|3:53
|-
|"Sommu Penchaku"
|S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Madhavapeddi Ramesh
|4:26
|-
|"Ledi Ledi"
|S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Srinivasa Murthy, S. Janaki
|4:47
|}

== Release ==
''Babai Abbai'' was granted its censor certification on 5 February 1985, and was released on 8 February 1985.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> It was not commercially successful.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 December 2005 |title=Balakrishna Top Ten films - Part one |url=http://www.telugucinema.com/tc/balakrishnatopten-1.php |access-date=2024-12-24 |website=[[Telugucinema.com]] |archive-date=3 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070603101113/http://www.telugucinema.com/tc/balakrishnatopten-1.php |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{imdb title|0266290}}

{{Brewster's Millions}}
{{Jandhyala Subramanya Sastry}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Babai - Abbai}}
[[Category:1985 films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Jandhyala]]
[[Category:Films scored by K. Chakravarthy]]
[[Category:Films based on Brewster's Millions]]
[[Category:Films based on American novels]]
[[Category:1985 Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:1985 Indian films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Visakhapatnam]]
[[Category:Films shot in Chennai]]
[[Category:1985 comedy films]]

Babai Abbai - Revision history

Igorsiw at 19:04, 3 March 2026