Banumathi is a 2017 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Sekhar Kammula. It features Varun Tej and Sai Pallavi in the lead roles which marks her debut in Telugu cinema. It is dubbed into Tamil as Banumathi. Principal photography commenced in August 2016. Banumathi won four Filmfare Awards.
Varun (Varun Tej) is a non-resident Indian who lives in Texas, United States of America with his elder brother Raju (Raja Chembolu) and adopted, younger brother Bujji (Aryan). He is a medical student aiming to become a neurosurgeon. Varun comes to India along with his younger brother for Raju’s marriage to Renuka (Sharanya Pradeep), whose family hails from Banswada in Telangana. There he meets Banumathi (Sai Pallavi), Renuka’s younger sister. Banu is a beautiful and naughty girl who doesn’t want to feel secondary to anyone. Gradually Varun and Banumathi develop a liking for each other but don’t express it. Banu loves her father very dearly and doesn’t believe in leaving him after her marriage. One day, she overhears Varun talking to his cousin Shailu (Manisha Eerabathini) about the opportunities in USA compared to India which he deems unfit for settling. Worse, his reference to a marriage between Shailu and her boyfriend is misconstrued by Banu as being between Varun and Shailu and so she feels cheated and misled by Varun. Heartbroken, Banumathi decides to forget Varun and kill her feelings for him and starts to ignore him. After his brother’s marriage, Varun returns to USA but can’t stop thinking about Banu all the time. He decides to confess his love to her. But Bhanumathi gives him a rude answer which enrages Varun creating a rift between them that widens further due to subsequent rude behaviors from both of them. Banu finally agrees to marry a man of her father’s choice but realizes she isn’t comfortable with him even before marriage.
Meanwhile, Renuka becomes pregnant and is advised bed rest by the doctors. Banu is sent to USA by her father to help Renuka cope up with the pregnancy. Varun starts being inconsiderate towards Banumathi during her stay with them. This disturbs Banu and an argument ensues between them after which she decides to leave for India in a week. Before leaving, Banu decides to visit her friend in USA and Varun is asked to drop Banu at her friend’s place. On the way when Varun drops her at a bus stop so she can take a bus, both have their final fight. Realizing he has hurt her, Varun makes amends and confesses to Banu how deeply he loves her and cannot imagine his life with anyone else and that his bad behavior towards her was but a dirty mask to try and get rid of, albeit unsuccessfully, his feelings for her, but since he seeks her happiness, will respect and value her going forward. They then decide to stay as friends and he offers to show her America. It is during this cross-country USA roadtrip that Banu realizes how deep Varun’s love for her is and she also rediscovers her own deep feelings for him! Before leaving for India, at the airport, Banu runs to Varun and hugs him with tearful eyes. Varun understands that Bhanumathi still loves him and a few days later goes to India to ask for her hand in marriage. Banu’s father who comes to know of their feelings for each other, advises her to follow her heart and marry Varun instead of the man he chose to which she agrees. Though she is happy that she is getting married to Varun, she is apprehensive about leaving her father and her village. After the wedding ceremony, Banu starts packing her luggage to leave for the USA. Renuka then tells her the truth that Varun actually gave up his life in the US and his medical seat and has decided to settle and practice as a Doctor in their village! Overjoyed, Banu runs to Varun and asks him how he could make such a big sacrifice to which he answers that where ever she is, it is his world because he loves her a lot. Varun decides to establish a hospital in the village and both of them live happily ever after.
Directed by Shekhar Kammula
Produced by Dil Raju & Shirish
Written by Shekhar Kammula
Screenplay by Shekhar Kammula, Rezaul K Refath
Starring Varun Tej, Sai Pallavi, Sai Chand
Music by Songs: Shakthikanth Karthick Background Score: J.B.
Cinematography Vijay C. Kumar
Edited by Marthand K. Venkatesh
Production Sri Venkateswara Creations
Release date 21 July 2017
Running time 148 minutes
Country India
Language Telugu
Visitor Rating: 4 Stars