100% Love is a 2011 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy film directed by Sukumar and produced by Bunny Vasu under the banner Geetha Arts. The film stars Naga Chaitanya and Tamannaah with music composed by Devi Sri Prasad. It revolves around Balu and Mahalakshmi, cousins who share a love–hate relationship.
100% Love which released on 6 May 2011 received positive response from both critics and audience. The film was a commercial success and became one of the Highest grossing Telugu films of that year. The film won two Nandi Awards.
The film was dubbed and released in Malayalam with the same title, on 22 July 2011. It was remade in Bengali as Prem Ki Bujhini (2016), and in Tamil as 100% Kadhal (2019).
Plot
The story starts at a bar where Balu is in a wedding outfit and just enters as he orders his drink, two people tell him to go and get married, while they are talking about debts Balu does fast calculations and impresses them. They ask him to tell his story and he does.
Balu is always top-ranked in his college. Mahalakshmi, his cousin comes to Balu's house to continue her studies. She is in awe of her Mr. Perfect 'Bava' as she expresses this after seeing him. Upon seeing Mahalakshmi Balu asks for her name to which she responds as Veera Venkata Satya Sai Naga Durga Sesha Avathara Seetha Mahalakshmi, Balu says her name is too long and he can't waste that much memory just to remember her name so she says that he will just call her Mahalakshmi. Mahalakshmi takes her first exam and walks out crying as she doesn't understand English, Balu helps her, and she gets the first rank and Balu gets second. Balu is hurt by this as he usually gets first rank, and he plans to sabotage her studies, Mahalakshmi does the same. But to their surprise Ajith (Anand Krishna Nandu) stands first this time. Meanwhile, Mahalakshmi's father brings her a marriage proposal, but she doesn't want to marry him. Balu and Mahalakshmi compromise by agreeing to help each other. Balu helps her in getting the proposal canceled and Mahalakshmi distracts Ajith from studies for the sake of Balu, but Balu gets attracted to her. The couple start studying together and Mahalakshmi distracts Ajith. Balu gets first rank and is awarded a building from his principal, at the housewarming party, Mahalakshmi says Ajith is great as he studied well even though Mahalakshmi distracted him. Balu is hurt by this statement because he doesn't want Mahalakshmi to think anyone is better than him, his ego is also hurt and the couple chooses to separate.
After three years, they meet again in the hospital because their grandmother suddenly falls ill. While trying to find out how Balu is doing, Mahalakshmi realizes he hasn't changed at all. Both argue a lot until their parents try to get them married. Surprisingly, Balu mentions that he has a girlfriend named Swapna that he hopes to marry. While introducing her to his family, Mahalakshmi notices that Swapna is much more than she is. To get back at Balu, she agrees to marry Ajith, Balu's former rival in college. Ajith turns out to be the head of a company that makes more than Balu's company. Balu, angry that Ajith is greater than he is, puts his company in risk in hopes that he can surpass Ajith's company. Unfortunately, his partner cheats him, and Balu is on the verge of losing his company. Mahalakshmi, now his project manager, toils to rescue him. They make an excellent team and Balu's company is saved.
In an after party, Balu credits Mahalakshmi for his success. She again unknowingly hurts Balu's ego. This time, Balu confesses that he felt the need to be great in Mahalakshmi's eyes because he loved her. When she tells him she shares her feelings, Balu refuses to believe her. After the interference of their grandfather, they are united in the end.
Cast
Production
Before the completion of Arya 2, Sukumar had discussed making the film with Geetha Arts with Varun Sandesh and Tamannaah, but the film failed to materialize. February 2010, the project was announced with a statement reporting the collaboration of Geetha Arts, Sukumar and Naga Chaitanya for the film mentioned. The subsequent month saw Tamannaah announce that she had signed on to portray the lead female role in the project. The film was launched at Annapoorna Studios, Hyderabad on 8 June 2010 with several leading Telugu film personalities being involved with the event. Noted producer D. Ramanaidu rendered the launch, another producer Nagababu switched on the camera and Naga Chaitanya's father actor Nagarjuna clapped the first shot. The formal first shot direction was done by S. S. Rajamouli and Akkineni Nageswara Rao handed over the script to the director.