Tholi Prema (1998 film)

Balu (Pawan Kalyan) is the youngest son in his family and a careless guy. His father always scolds him, but his uncles and mother dote on him and so does his brother. He has a bunch of friends (played by Ali, Venu Madhav and others) and hangs around with them. On one occasion, Balu's father is angry with him; Balu leaves the house to be left alone for a while (on the eve of Diwali). He chances to see Anu (Keerthi Reddy) on the road with some kids and he falls for her. She has returned from the USA to spend time with her grandfather (P. J. Sharma).

Anu is impressed with Balu when he saves a kid's life on the motorway; she tries to get his autograph but fails. Balu leaves for Ooty for his studies and accidentally meets Anu on the way when his taxi breaks down. Anu gives Balu a lift and leaves her driver to help the taxi driver. While on the way, Anu's car slips into a valley due to a rash lorry driver. Balu makes an effort to save Anu and rescues her to safer ground. Trying to save Anu, Balu slips off into a valley. Anu is depressed that Balu sacrificed himself to save her, searches for him and loses hope. Balu is saved by a truck driver and admitted to a hospital. On his return, Anu meets Balu at his house to express her gratitude. Balu thinks of proposing his love, but is warned by his sister Priya (Vasuki). Balu develops a friendship with Anu, but never dares to express his love. Priya gets married and leaves. At the same time, Anu gets admission into Harvard University and is about to leave. They remain silent until they reach the airport. His goal is to make her realise how much he loves her. The contradiction in their personalities couldn’t be more stark. Just before Anu leaves, she realizes that she is indeed in love with Balu. She proposes to him and they agree to meet after realizing their goals.

• Pawan Kalyan as Balu
• Keerthi Reddy as Anu
• Ali as Balu's friend
• Venu Madhav as Arnold Sekhar
• Narra Venkateswara Rao as Viswanatham, Balu's father
• Nagesh as Elder uncle
• Achyuth as Anil
• Prasanna Kumar
• Ravi Babu as Villain
• P. J. Sarma as Anu's grandfather
• Vasuki as Bujji / Priya
• Sangeetha as Balu's mother
• Bangalore Padma
• Manisha
• Narra Srinu as Bouncer (cameo)
• Vasuki Anand – Balu's Sister

The soundtrack was composed by Deva. Four of the film's five songs are based on other songs without acknowledgement: "Yemaindo Yemo Ee Vela" is based on Ricky Martin's "Maria"; "Emi Sodhara" is based on "Pyaar ka Musafir" by Lucky Ali; "Romance Rhythms" is based on "Noonday Sun" by Deep Forest; and "Ee Manase Se Se" is based on "Alabalaba (Woman’a’Sexy)" by Dr. Alban.[3] There is no female voice in any of the songs in the movie.

• Tholi Prema at IMDb