Budugu (2015)
Budugu is a 2015 Indian Telugu psychological thriller film directed by Manmohan. The film stars Lakshmi Manchu as Pooja, alongside Indu Anand, Sreedhar Rao Chennamaneni, and Indraja in supporting roles. The story follows a mother who gradually discovers that her young son exhibits disturbing behavioral patterns including cruelty to animals and lack of empathy. Set in Hyderabad, the film explores the family's struggle as they confront the possibility that their child has a serious psychological disorder. The film is notable for its honest portrayal of childhood mental health issues and the emotional toll on parents. It was produced by Hyderabad Film Innovaties Private with a budget of approximately ₹2 crore. Budugu released on April 17, 2015, and received mixed to positive reviews for Lakshmi Manchu's performance and its sensitive subject matter.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Plex
- Theatrical Release
- 31 July 2015
- Director
- Manmohan
- Language
- Telugu
- Runtime
- 2h 4m
- Rating
- 7.4/10
Storyline
A mother named Pooja loves her young son deeply. But his violent behavior and lack of guilt terrify her. She must accept the painful truth that her child may have a serious psychological disorder. Her family and marriage start to crumble as she fights to save her son.
“A mother's love faces its darkest test”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Trivia
- The film's title 'Budugu' is a colloquial Telugu term for a mischievous child, reflecting the protagonist's character.
- Director Manmohan is primarily known for his work as a cinematographer, with this being one of his few directorial ventures.
- The movie was shot extensively in Hyderabad and a boarding school to authentically depict the protagonist's environment.
- It addresses ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) at a time when such topics were rarely explored in Telugu cinema.
- The child actor playing Bunny, Vamsi Krishna, was relatively unknown, adding a fresh face to the cast.
- Despite its thriller elements, the film incorporates social messages about parenting and child psychology.
- The soundtrack was composed by Mani Sharma, a popular music director known for many Telugu hits.