Ashwin!
Hey, Mr. Ashwin!
Come back down to earth!
Ashwin, she says she won't come to the shoot.
She's arguing yet again, dude.
You can meditate later.
She doesn't like the costumes.
Ten minutes is all I asked for.
The solution is simple, dude.
Leave this job.
Then you can continue meditating for long as you want.
Sir, where do I put these flowers?
Put them somewhere there.
How many people have I told this to until now?
Is a single one of you willing to listen to me?
What is the matter with you?
Who will it take to knock some sense into you?
Good morning, Mallika Garu.
Ashwin, I have become a loner here.
I'm sorry, but…
why do you feel that way?
How many years have I been doing this show?
About… ten years?
And you?
Ten years.
When you joined here…
you were like a puppy wandering aimlessly.
And now, you're a senior producer.
Have I ever unnecessarily picked a fight with anyone, Ashwin?
Never.
Then why are you giving me ill-fitting clothes?
Ashwin…
I know I'm not as sexy as I was before.
But I still have my curves.
It's all about the base…
Yes, it is.
Can we go out for a drink after we pack up?
That seems difficult.
there's an important meeting about the upcoming shows.
Will I be in at least one of them?
Of course…
I always consider you.
Action!
Episode 1126!
You and the world mean the same to me.
If I am with you…
-It feels like the whole world is with me. -It feels like the whole world is with me.
When I'm away from you…
How much longer will I be able to take this?
I can't tell anymore.
What is it, Ashwin?
Threatening to quit your job again?
OTT platforms have been raising up a storm.
With it, a new kind of Telugu audience will follow.
I want to produce content for them.
Be it phones or laptops…
my shows should stay with them.
These melodramatic daily soaps…
are not my cup of tea anymore.
I like it.
Really?
Yeah.
I like it, Ashwin.
Two years of constant whining and bellyaching have been killing me!
Compared to the tantrums, this is interesting.
So…
what do you have in mind?
Most comedians are engineers.
Because their life itself is a big joke!
I, too, am an engineer.
Instead of going to the US after engineering…
I am here, telling jokes in front of you.
Thank you.
That was Rohan, the depressed engineer.
Show some love for him, guys.
Poor thing.
Up next is the one I was telling you about.
Next up, we have Vandana.
Well, she hates being addressed that way.
But she is a young talent from the city on the rise.
Her YouTube channel has around 100K subscribers.
So, please put your hands together…
for Vinnie.
Hey! Get off the stage!
If you heckle, at least do it well.
You know…
I've been doing stand-up for some time now.
And…
as soon as a woman gets on the stage for a stand-up routine…
the audience starts commenting.
And generally…
the hecklers are invariably men.
Why do only men end up doing stuff like this?
That's what…
I'm going to tell you very clearly today.
So, allow me to introduce you to--
Drum roll, please.
The Telugu Man.
The Telugu Man is truly a superhero…
and I don't mean that in a good way.
A Telugu Man has two sides to him.
One that everyone knows…
and the other that no one knows.
Secret identity.
For example…
let's start with the messy room.
As it goes, any man's room around the world is messy.
But then, once a girlfriend or wife enters the picture,
they say, "Baby, why is the room in such a mess?"
State-of-the-art house with, like, the latest tech…
and you know…
despite having one of those app-controlled lights installed…
I guarantee you this…
somewhere in the room…
no matter how small…
there will be a picture of God.
LA Lakers caps…
joggers…
hoodies…
despite owning all of it…
once they get home, the only thing they need is…
lungi.
They talk about one-night stands and live-in relationships…
but still lives with his parents.
They discuss world politics, casteism…
with liberal thoughts and whatnot.
And… once he finds a life partner,
he says, "Baby let's be liberal…
but just wait until my parents are dead."
Low fat milk…
stevia instead of sugar…
full foam coffee.
But at home…
Keto diets…
lean meats…
organic food…
all that is okay, but…
-Mountains of rice… -Mountains of rice…
-rivers of sambar. -rivers of sambar.
I know Trump looked directly at the sun,
but my mother told me I wasn't supposed to stare at it, ever.
I trust my mother.
Oh… sorry.
Hi.
Ashwin.
Vandana.
I thought you didn't like being called Vandana.
Looks like you actually heard the entire thing.
Every word. You're really funny.
You're not too bad either, producer.
So, you are a "Telugu Man" as well?
Well…
I had to listen carefully last night.
Honestly, you had to be speaking about me.
What extent did it match up to?
How close was I?
90 percent.
Except that my room isn't that bad.
It isn't that messy.
Maybe a little.
Was I right about the lungi?
Yeah, but I immediately switched to shorts.
So, is the show offer real or is this just a creative way to score a date?
It's real.
I even have a pitch deck ready.
You meet a Telugu Man every week.
And from there, the show follows your adventure.
If I keep switching between men every week, people will think I have no morals.
See, that's the kind of humor we want!
"Funny Telugu women don't exist,
neither on TV nor on the web."
I want to change that!
Noble intentions.
Nothing of that sort.
I was looking for a way out of this creative nonsense,
and then you appear in my life.
By you…
I don't specifically mean you.
I mean it is you.
But I don't have any ulterior motive.
I mean…
in a creative way.
You are not going to help me, are you?
Nope.
A drowning man is always fun to watch.
Your sense of humor is a lot like Jandhyala Garu.
Who?
Jandhyala Garu, the brilliant writer-director!
In the 80s, he introduced Telugu Cinema to a new kind of comedy.
Even he went from the stage to the screen.
You know, to reach a larger audience?
What say?
I've heard a lot of horror stories about TV channels.
Last minute changes.
That's where I come in.
I will protect you.
You know what I mean.
I've never acted before.
You are a natural performer!
You are genuinely good.
Listen, there's no rush.
Make a decision once you've thought it through.
Excuse me!
I know you made a mistake.
I'll forgive you.
But please don't leave me.
Do you see the irony, JK?
Only yesterday, I met a strong, independent woman for lunch.
And then there's… this.
Is everyone on this set drunk?
Hey! Hi!
Sure. Would love to be there.
Cool. See you.
So, this is fate.
Before he came along,
Telugu Cinema was all about slapstick comedy.
But then…
he brought realistic comedy to the screen.
The approach may seem a little exaggerated…
but so is his name.
Jandhyala Veera Venkata Durga Siva Subramania Sastry.
I looked him up on Wikipedia before you arrived.
Okay…
I will shut up and let you watch.
Feels like I found a kindred spirit.
Not you.
Jandhyala Garu.
I told you.
I'm in.
Great!
So, what's next?
We have to write a script for the pilot.
I have no script writing experience.
I do.
I started my career in the industry as a scriptwriter.
You talk, I'll write.
That I can do.
Then we shoot the pilot episode,
and Madhura Media will sell it to the channel…
literally and figuratively.
How long does this process take?
If we really fast track it…
about three months.
So, we have to spend a lot of time together.
Yes!
Is that too much?
Won't we hug?
Is one enough?
Put that hug on hold.
It's my parents.
What?
-Hey, Vinnie! -What?
Look, it's Vinnie.
Oh!
Okay… why am I so nervous?
Why do Indian parents elicit such a response…
regardless of how old you are?
It's not like we are on a date.
Smart move.
If I say no, you're a gentleman.
On the other hand, you've left the door open for a yes.
-Hi. -Hi.
No popcorn for me. Thank you.
Mom, Dad… this is Ashwin.
-Namaste, Uncle. -Namaste.
Hello.
What are you doing here?
You know the Jandhyala festival?
We're here for that.
When Rendu Jella Sita came out,
I took your mother to see it.
I don't remember looking at the screen at all.
He saw the entire movie for the first time today.
Mom, Dad. Please.
Okay, we're going back in for Srivari Premalekhalu.
What about you?
We're actually going to discuss about a show.
Yeah. We are.
Cool. Have fun, then.
-Enjoy. -Should we move to the show?
-Bye. -Bye.
-Bye. See you. -Bye.
Sorry about that.
Okay.
-Yeah, let's start? -Let's go.
Okay.
In India, when a husband walks with his wife,
he feels like he is in a walking competition.
If she's here, he will be there.
Let's begin every episode with the Telugu Man.
You know, just like the Seinfeld show.
You know Seinfeld, right?
It was a huge sitcom back in the 90s.
Come on! Seinfeld is God to us comedians.
For me, Telugu Man is the female version of Seinfeld.
But that show was about nothing.
This will be about something.
You want to hug me, don't you?
You…
asked me that at the theater.
Yeah… but thanks to my parents I couldn't.
Yeah…
I want to.
Okay.
That was the worst hug in the world.
I mean, I didn't want it to come across as if the show…
was an elaborate ploy to take advantage of you.
What do you think I meant when I asked you for a hug?
#MeToo.
There is a huge difference…
between "MeToo"
and when a woman actually wants to…
Ashwin!
Coffee!
I'm acting like a Telugu Man, aren't I?
Impossible.
Why not?
I could give you a hundred reasons.
But the first one is that the channel won't agree to it.
The whole point of it was to break stereotypes, right?
Yeah. I'd completely support you…
if it really was a theme built around breaking stereotypes.
But…
going about town like a loose woman meeting a new guy every week…
-No. -Wait. What!?
Is that how you see it?
That's how they are going to see it as well.
Look…
I'll use all my goodwill to sell the show.
But…
not with that girl.
We need a known face.
What it takes to be a "Telugu Man" heroine,
no one knows that stuff better than Vinnie!
Yes!
As a writer, not as an actor.
I've seen her on stage.
She's a natural performer.
How many times are you going to spout the same bullshit, Ashwin?
Please, Sakshi.
Only you can do something about this.
I've pinned all my hopes on you.
If the traditional Telugu woman's image is damaged
Madhura Media will be the one facing the backlash.
Okay?
Thanks!
Since when did he start giving hugs?
It turned out quite natural, ma'am.
This is the only way Rohit sir likes it.
Rohit sir liked the pink dress, ma'am.
Vandana Garu, Rohit sir's style is quite simple.
Once the comedy ripens on paper, it's rehearsal, then shoot.
Who is this?
Ashwin, I'm serious.
Really, who is this?
Those aren't my clothes or shoes…
and what's with that face?
This is not Vinnie at all!
I can't wait to be in your embrace--
What crap is this?
Rohit asked for a few changes.
In the course of translation…
we lost some of--
We got together intending to create some magic.
But this isn't it.
To the forest, again?
Think about it once, Rohit.
Let's do things your way.
But if anything goes wrong…
then Rohit is not to be blamed.
It's my responsibility.
I'll talk to Sakshi as well.
I won't blame you, Rohit.
Okay, Rohit?
Vinnie, show them what you got.
Relationships with the Telugu Man are complex.
The other day…
I went on a date with a Telugu Man.
That was our fifth date.
We were at a good place,
everything was going well.
Right when he asks me…
"Baby… am I BAE?"
Confused?
I didn't get it either.
So then Chintu explained…
"Before Anyone Else?"
That was a mood killer, y'all.
Cut it!
Superb!
Shot okay!
"BAE" stands for "Before Anyone Else".
That was a mood killer, y'all.
I have to agree…
she's good!
She's perfect.
Fingers crossed.
Let's see what the channel has to say.
They loved it.
Yes!
They've okayed the show.
Didn't I tell you?
Your conviction paid off.
You know what it's like sometimes?
A vision comes to us…
and we absolutely believe in it, but not the world.
In any case,
you must never quit what you strongly believe in.
You're getting a huge bonus as well.
What was that, Sakshi?
If you're offering me money, then…
you're avoiding something.
They…
don't want Vinnie.
What?
What!?
Relax, Ashwin.
There's an offer for 100 episodes.
But… without her.
She is the show!
Do you even get that?
Something that had been written for one person
have been performed by another to great success.
There are examples aplenty to that!
Don't let your love life
get in the way of your producer's judgment.
You can't do this.
It's done.
Hey!
What's up?
Don't scare me.
They…
have decided to go with another actor.
And?
Are you doing it?
I have to.
It's my job.
Feels like a betrayal.
That's not fair.
"I'll be here for times like these…
I will protect you."
Come on, Vinnie!
I fought for you every step of the way.
Ever so often, things like these happen.
Listen…
I still want you to write this with me.
We started this together…
and I want you to be a part of this.
Relationships are like sitcoms.
Some have 1000 episodes.
running for a few years.
Some get canceled with the pilot episode.
-Hi. -Hi.
Let's go?
Like, directly shot of…
Make it a little more…
-and then… -Hey, hold on for a minute!
There was a little break in there.
We'll try something else. Right?
No. I think it will work.
Okay.
Okay, okay, okay!
Today, I will tell you
about my new Telugu Man.
His name?
-Srinivas. -Cut!
Simran…
you have to be dull, this is too bright.
How it should come across is…
as if you are putting in a lot of effort in saying every word.
Only then will it be funny.
-Okay? We're still rolling. -Okay, sir.
Okay.
Now I will tell you…
about my latest Telugu Man.
Srinivas.
This guy…
just couldn't handle breakups.
And you know…
for him,
the four stages of grief were…
mope…
-and… -Mope!
Exactly.
So…
right now…
how many Srinivases are here?
I mean…
how many of you are in a relationship?
I can't do this, Ashwin.
I thought I was broad-minded and mature…
but I can't deal with all this.
I understand.
But…
what about us?
Without the show…
there cannot be an "us".
Bridal glances, marriage, children…
Cut! One more, please!
Ashwin, please come here.
Didn't I just ask to wait for ten minutes?
Cut!
One more, please!
World politics, casteism…
with liberal thoughts and whatnot.
And once he finds a life partner,
he says, "Baby let's be liberal…
but just wait until my parents are dead."
To laugh is fortunate, to make someone laugh is joyous,
to be unable to laugh is an ailment.
To all those attending the second Jandhyala film festival…
Welcome!
This year, let's begin with the classic movie Nalugu Sthambala Aata.
Next up, let's invite on stage…
After sending Telugu men into hiding,
and returning from a year spent in hiding herself…
Vinnie.
We want Telugu Man!
This is me running away from Telugu men.
No!
So…
after going into hiding for a year…
do you know what material I have returned with?
Any guesses?
Telugu Woman?
You got it, sister!
"The Telugu Woman."
Many poets and writers claim, "Women don't mean what they say."
But do you think we are that jobless?