Parugu

After the 2004 film Arya, Dil Raju wanted to produce a film with Allu Arjun as the protagonist of the film and planned to select Sukumar as the director of the film. However it did not materialize.[8] Later Bhaskar approached them with a subject which the duo accepted. Incidentally, it was the sixth film for both Allu Arjun and Dil Raju in their career.[9] The film was officially launched on 15 March 2007 at Dil Raju's office in Hyderabad.[10] Devi Sri Prasad was selected initially as the music director though Mani Sharma replaced him later.[11] The film's title has been in major headlines prior to the film's release. Initially it was reported in early December 2007 that the film is titled Romeo.[12] In early February 2008, it was reported that the film is titled Premikudu which was the title of the Telugu dubbed version of Shankar's Kadhalan.[13] Later the titles Enta Ghaatu Premayo, Araku and Varadhi were considered before being titled as Parugu.[14] In an interview, Bhaskar said that this film is based on real life characters and the scenes in the film are based on real life happenings.[15]

Allu Arjun was a part of the film since its initial stages. He had to shed weight he gained in course of building a six pack body for the film Desamuduru for this film and maintained a short hair style as he had to appear like a common middle-class man.[16][17] After considering Vedhicka for the female lead, Priyamani was selected in mid-July 2007 marking her first collaboration with Allu Arjun.[18] However, Priyamani walked out of the project and it was reported in mid-August 2007 that she would be replaced with Sheela.[19] Her inclusion was confirmed by Puri Jagannadh who said that her performance in the film Hello Premistara impressed Bhaskar and Dil Raju which made them sign her for this role.[20] Prakash Raj, who played an important role in Bhaskar's debut Bommarillu was signed for an equally important role in this film which the actor quoted as the best role in the film.[21] Subbaraju was selected for an important role with negative shades.[22] Poonam Bajwa made a crucial cameo appearance in this film.[23] Telugu anchor Chitralekha was selected for a small supporting role.[24] Saptagiri debuted as a comedian with this film. Regarding his casting, he said "I assisted Bommarillu Bhaskar for the film Parugu and he was impressed with my narrative skill. He offered me a role, and I received acclaim."[25]

During the film's launch, it was planned that the principal photography would commence in May 2007.[11] It was reported in early May 2007 that the principal photography would begin in June 2007, and the technicians are yet to be finalized.[9] In mid-August 2007, the filming continued at Kodaikanal where a song and few important scenes were shot.[26] Later, the film's shoot continued in locales of Kerala where crucial scenes on Allu Arjun, Sheela and Prakash Raj were shot.[27] By 29 September 2007 the film's Kerala schedule was complete by which 30% of the film's shoot was wrapped up. The next schedule started at Hyderabad in the first week of October 2007.[28] The film's climax was shot at Kodaikanal in mid-October 2007.[29] Later, the shooting continued in mid-November 2007 at Rajahmundry.[30] It was estimated then that the filming would be wrapped up by January 2008.[31] From 15 March 2008 the filming continued at Jordan where songs on Allu Arjun and Sheela were shot.[27] Later, in an interview on 8 April 2008, Allu Arjun confirmed that 90% of the shooting is complete and the rest would be wrapped in a week.[16]

The Hindu wrote, "The movie is interesting and a must watch for more than one reason. The usually loud and energy effusing Arjun downplays his role and gives a heartfelt performance. Bhaskar runs a compassionate thread throughout the film even while he spends the first half of the film introducing the characters and seamlessly breaks the flow of characters with humour and minimum violence. There are a few emotionally intense, and fewer tear-jerking moments in the film, but they serve to move the character forward, but to enjoy this film, watch it without any expectation, and you will be surprised with the engaging and a racy tone of the first half and the interesting development of Prakash Raj’s character post interval."[41] Cinegoer.net gave a review stating "A good narrative and a strong subject, with some humor and music added in good measure-Parugu, is another movie from Dil Raju-Bhaskar that is likeable. It may not be up to Bommarillu's standards because the subject itself has been dealt with several times before, and there is a lack of freshness. Nonetheless, the movie is a good watch, and Bhasker proves he's not a one film wonder" and rated the film 3.25/5.[42] Oneindia Entertainment gave a review stating, "Till the interval bang, director Bhaskar has given the audiences an impression that he was able to overcome the second film hitch, which is haunting most of the debutante directors. But he has made mistakes inadvertently in the second half. He has failed to extract the exact emotions from the artists, and the story appears to be dragging and nagging till the climax. However, he has given a good twist in the climax and has made it a little interesting."[43] idlebrain.com gave a review stating "First half is good and entertaining with nice ambiance. The movie's tempo goes down as soon as the gang shifts to Hyderabad in the second half. The climax of the film appears a little hesitant and ambiguous. The plus points of the film are the energetic performance by Allu Arjun and well made first half. On the flip side, the emotions in the second half don't work, and the movie lacks soul. We have to wait and see how this film fares at box office" and rated the film 3/5.[44]

Rediff.com wrote, "Bhaskar does well in not allowing the heroine and hero to meet face to face, thereby maintaining the suspense. The screenplay in the first half is fast paced, followed by a rather slow second half. The climax is rather tame. Bhaskar ensures that the largely rural setting of the story will go down well with the rural as well as the urban audience. One has to wait and watch if the 'Dil' Raju-Bhaskar duo can repeat the magic of Bommarillu with Parugu."[45] Sify wrote "Producer Dil Raju and director Bhaskar, who created magic among the class and mass audiences with the film Bommarillu has failed to repeat the same in this much-hyped film with Allu Arjun. The movie just doesn’t live up to the huge expectations. It has songs that are sensationally choreographed and have excellent camerawork, but it's still a film with a plot that just doesn't work. It’s an average film at best. Don't go in expecting too much, perhaps you won't be too disappointed."[46] IndiaGlitz wrote "The entire first half gave the audiences an impression that Bommarillu Bhaskar is all set to continue the magic which he did in 'Bommarillu'. However, he trembled in the second half as he doesn't know how to continue the story further. Most of the scenes are very boring, and the audiences were seen moving impatiently in their seats in the absence of enough comedy relief. Too much of emotional scenes in the second half tested the patience of audiences."[47] greatandhra.com gave a review stating "This is the second film by Bommarillu Bhaskar and the next film for Allu Arjun after Desamuduru. It is obvious that the expectations of Arjun fans will be big as their hero's film hitting screens after a very long time. Dil Raju produced it, and hence Bommarillu charisma is added to it. But things didn't gel well with the expectations. The film proved to be a letdown disappointing many" and rated the film 2.5/5.[48]