Welcome Obama


Welcome Obama is a 2013 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao who also composed the film's soundtrack. The film stars Urmila Kanitkar, Rachel and Esteban in the lead roles. It is a remake of the Marathi film Mala Aai Vhhaychy!. The film focuses on a surrogate mother who bears a foreigner's child. It was released on 20 September 2013.

Plot

Lucy, an American woman, comes to India looking for a surrogate mother to bear her a child. She lands a deal with Yashodha, an impoverished single mother. Yashodha has an accidental fall when pregnant and the doctors conjecture that there is a risk of the baby being born deformed, leading to Lucy revoking the contract and returning to the United States. But Yashodha delivers a healthy and active boy named Krishna, and everyone calls him "Obama" due to his white skin. Years later, Lucy gets to know about the boy and comes to India to take him. But Yashodha, having developed a strong bond with Krishna, refuses to send him back.

Cast

Welcome Obama, directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and produced by Bharati Krishna under Sandalwood Media, is a remake of the Marathi film Mala Aai Vhhaychy!. Urmila Kanitkar, the lead actress of that film, was chosen to reprise her role. British actress Rachel was chosen to portray an American woman, and French child actor Esteban was cast as the surrogate child. The dialogues were written by Rohini. Cinematography was handled by S. S. Darshan. Welcome Obama was shot on Eastmancolor film, as opposed to being shot digitally. Shooting was completed in 33 days.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by Singeetham Srinivasa Rao who also worked as lyricist.

Release and reception

Welcome Obama was released on 20 September 2013. Sandeep Atreysa of Deccan Chronicle wrote, "Certainly, this is not a runof-the-mill story Telugu audiences would watch often. But what went wrong? Slow-paced narration in the first half and a bad comedy track in second half." Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu wrote, "There was a time when Singeetam Srinivasa Rao gave us some of the most entertaining films that broke new grounds both in storytelling and technical departments Now, at the age of 82, when the filmmaker with unbeatable fervour comes up with a story that discusses surrogacy, it is natural to expect a social family drama that tugs at your heart strings while making observations about surrogacy. But as the drama unfolds, you are left looking for the missing magic of a once-brilliant filmmaker."