ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi: Difference between revisions

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'''''ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi''''' is a 2013 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[comedy film]] directed by [[Martin Prakkat]], produced by Shibu Thameens under the banner of [[Thameens Films]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> It stars [[Dulquer Salmaan]], [[Jacob Gregory]], [[Aparna Gopinath]] and [[Tovino Thomas]] . The film features music composed by [[Gopi Sunder]], cinematography is handled 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 about 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> The film was remade in Telugu with the [[ABCD – American Born Confused Desi|same name]] starring [[Allu Sirish]].<ref>https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/abcd-first-look-allu-sirish-release-date-5513894/</ref>

The story revolves around two spoiled youngsters who were born in the U.S.: Johns Isaac ([[Dulquer Salmaan]]), and their cousin Korah Murikken ([[Jacob Gregory]]). Johns is the son of a billionaire named Isaac Kurien ([[Lalu Alex]]) 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 night clubs, playing public pranks etc. 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. However, he blocks Johns and Korah's credit cards post their arrival. Johns and Korah initially stay at a luxurious hotel apartment unaware that their credit cards are useless, but are soon aware of this fact and they try to escape from the apartment to avoid paying. However, they are caught by the security. The security guard brings them to the manager and he confiscates their mobile phones, tablets, and watches. Johns and Korah are given very poor accommodations with water from the near by 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 MBA studies that Isaac arranged for them, along with {{INR}}5,000 monthly for their combined expenses, only if they attend their classes regularly. They befriend a student cum social worker Madhumitha ([[Aparna Gopinath]]) 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 friend, 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 ([[Tovino Thomas]]), son of the late minister 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 police [[Baton (law enforcement)#India|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 gives them a handgun seeking their support in future. Johns & Korah realize things are going out of hand and go AWOL, but later found to have taken refuge at Madhumita's house. Madhumita loans them money to go back to US. However, Akhilesh tracked them down and confiscated 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 are not legally allowed to involve in sociopolitical matters of India and are hence being deported. Now back in America, Johns and Korah returns Madhumita's loan while also expressing romantic interest 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 pranks. Johns and Korah escape from the back door.

==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}}{{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|author =Sudheer Shah|publisher=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=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/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}}{{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|publisher=[[Rediff]]|date=17 June 2013|access-date=18 June 2013}}{{Rating|2.5|5}}</ref>