ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi (2013 film)

The story revolves around two rich spoilt brats who were born in the U.S.: Johns Isaac, and his cousin Korah Murikken. Johns is the son of a billionaire named Isaac Johns who is settled in New York, while Korah's mother left for Paris with her new husband. Johns and Korah enjoy their luxurious lives by driving expensive cars, going to pubs and nightclubs, playing public pranks etc. Isaac decides to send both of them to India, saying that it is a vacation before Johns goes to Melbourne for his MBA studies the next month. He then blocks Johns and Korah's credit cards post their arrival in India. Johns and Korah initially stay at a luxurious hotel apartment unaware that their credit cards are useless. Upon realizing their financial situation, they try to escape from the apartment to avoid paying. However, they are caught by the security guard. He brings them to the manager who then confiscate their mobile phones, tablets and watches. Isaac provides Johns and Korah with very poor accommodation with water from the nearby community dug well and a public toilet. They try to make money through underhand methods but are duped. With all of their money gone, they are left with no choice but to join the MBA studies at a local university that Isaac arranged for them, along with ₹5000 monthly for their combined expenses, provided they attend their classes regularly.

They befriend a student cum social worker Madhumitha from their college. Johns, out of romantic interest, takes part in Madhumita's social works and protests during which they get to know each other better. One of Madhumita's friends Seenamol, a journalist, publishes a fabricated article on Johns and Korah's poor upbringing and how they manage to survive on just ₹83 per day, which gains widespread popularity, making Johns and Korah overnight public figures. This triggers Akhilesh, the son of the late minister K.P Ravi Varma whose government claimed that ₹28 per day is enough to survive in the current economy. Johns and Korah's popularity is on the rise along with their frustration. Battling sociopolitical issues on their journey they realize one day that their only way to go back to the U.S. is by winning a competition called Youth Icon of the year and the prize money of ₹100,000. So, they participate in a protest which ends up in a police baton charge. This raises their popularity and votes in the competition, much to the disappointment of Akhilesh, who is a candidate in the upcoming election. Seeing the duo's bravery, Naxalite representatives approach them and give them a handgun seeking their support in future. Johns & Korah realize things are getting out of hand and go AWOL, but later found to have taken refuge at Madhumita's house.

Madhumita loans them money to go back to the US. However, Akhilesh tracks them down and confiscates their passports. Johns fights off Akhilesh but surrenders to law enforcement agencies. The ministry confirmed in a press conference that Johns and Korah are not Indian citizens and are not legally allowed to be involved in sociopolitical matters of India and are hence being deported. Now back in America, Johns and Korah return Madhumita's loan while also expressing romantic interest in her but Madhumita has other plans. As the movie ends, during the family prayer, an anonymous person arrives in front of the duo's house and shouts for revenge for one of John's earlier pranks. Johns and Korah escape through the back door.

The project was announced a few months before its shoot, but acquiring the licence to shoot in the US delayed the commencement of the project.[8] Initially many actresses were considered for the heroine including Isha Talwar, but theatre artist Aparna Gopinath was selected for the role in her debut film.[9][10] Jacob Gregory, a mutual friend of Martin played the character of Korah. He himself showed interest in playing Korah and auditioned for the role. He had been part of the film from the scripting process itself.[11]

The film was released on 14 June 2013.

The music of the film is from Gopi Sundar. The soundtrack features a remixed version of the song "Nayaapaisayilla" sung by Mehaboob for the 1960 film Neelisaali. This version is sung by Junior Mehaboob.[22]

• Official website
• ABCD at IMDb