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Telugu Movie Industry

The Telugu movie Industry is the biggest or second boggest film Industry in India (second being Bollywood). Among regional film industries Telugu Film Industry isdefinitely the biggest. The Telugu movie industry is based in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. The Telugu film industry produces the most films every year in India, with about 275 films produced in 2008. Popular movies tend to open during the three festive/holiday seasons of the region like Sankranthi, Ugadi, and Dasera.

The Telugu film industry originated with the silent film in 1912, with the production of Bhisma Pratighna. The film was directed by Raghupathi Venkaiah and his son R.S. Prakash. The two would go on to produce and direct dozens of films throughout the decade. The first Telugu film with audible dialogue, Bhakta Prahlad, was produced by H.M. Reddy. Popularly known as 'talkies', films with sound quickly grew in number and fanbase. In 1934, the industry saw its first major commercial success with Lavakusa. Directed by C. Pullaiah. People flocked to the theatres from near by villages in bullock carts to see Lavakusa. History repeated when C. Pullaiah and his son C. S. Rao remade the film in 1963 with N. T. Rama Rao and Anjali Devi. At a time when the market was flooded with mythological films, Indian Art Cine tone attempted a social, Prema Vijayam (1936) directed by Krithiventi Nageswara Rao. However, the success of reformist filmmaker Gudavalli Ramabrahmam's Malapilla (1938) starring Dr. Govindarajula Subbarao and Kanchanamala and Rythubidda (1939) with Ballari Raghava and Suryakumari gave an impetus to Y.V. Rao, B.N. Reddy and others to produce films on social themes. Except at the time of World War-II the Telugu film industry never looked back it flowrished and it has been growing till today.

The budgets for Telugu movies typically range between 5-40 crores per film. Pre-lease revenues for popular films can range between 12-30 crores per film and post-release business for these movies can be around 25-70 crores depending on the success of the movie. Telugu Film Industry produced many great acters and actresses like SV Ranga Rao, Nageswar Rao, NT Rama Rao, Rajanala, Krishna, Relangi, Savitri, Anjali, Krishna Kumari and Nirmala . Popular actors like Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Nagarjuna, Venkatesh, Mahesh Babu, Pawan Kalyan are some of the highest paid actors in Tollywood. Telugu film industry has the reputation of producing many singers like Ghantasala, P.Suseela, S.Janaki, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and many others. S.P.B holds the record singing maximum number of songs (40000 songs approximately, I'm sure about the number).


Some Famous Telugu Movies

There are hundreds of great films in Telugu. It is almost impossible for me to remember all of them and shortlist them. The below list is only a list of few great movies that I could I think of while writing this page.

Devdas is a 1953 social film based on the Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay novel Devdas. Devadasu was one of the most memorable films for Telugu people. The songs in this film are popular even today. 'Jagame Maayaa', 'Palleku Podam Paarunu Choodaam', 'Kudi Edamaithe Porapatu Ledoy' are the few unforgettable song of Devadasu. Major credit goes to Ghantasala, the singer and CR Subbaram, the music director. It is said that the legendary singer Ghantasala had observed a fast for 41 days in order to get the right effects to represent a grief-stricken Devadasu while singing the song 'Jagame Maaya Brathuke Maaya'.
Malleswari is classical telugu movie release in 1951 directed by B.N. Reddy. The movie is a love story.Malleshwari (Bhanumathi) a beautiful girl loves the sculptor Nagaraja (NTR). The king (Srivatsava) secretly observes her dancing in the rain for her lover. Nagaraja seeks Malleeshwari’s hand, but due to the king summons Malleswari becomes a court entertainer.; They meet again when Nagaraja is hired to build a dancing hall for the queen (Kamaladevi) infringe the queen’s rule forbidding companions to fall in love , they are sentenced to death. What happens to Nagaraja and Malleswari is the rest of the movie. Songs of Malliswari coupled with the heavenly expressions of Bhanumathi clicked in a big way.
Doctor Chakravarthy released in 1964, starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Shavukaru Janaki, Jaggayya, Savithri. This film is directed by great Telugu director Adurti Subba Rao.
Velugu Needalu is directed by Adurti Subba Rao and produced by D.Madhusudhana Rao. Staring Nageshwara Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri, Kongara Jaggaiah, S.V. Ranga Rao, and Gummadi
Vipranarayana is directed by P.S. Ramakrishna Rao. Starring Nageshwara Rao Akkineni, Bhanumathi Ramakrishna, Relangi Venkatramaiah, Rushyendramani, Sivaram V, Sandhya. Music composed by Saluri Rajeshwara Rao, produced by Bhanumathi Ramakrishna, P.S. Ramakrishna Rao
Batasari is a 1961 classical drama directed by P S Ramakrishna Rao. Staring ANR, Bhanumathi, Sowcar Janaki Lyrics by Samudrala Venkata Raghavacharya. Music by Master Venu.

Missamma was released in the year 1955 featuring Nandamuri Taraka Rama rao (NTR) and Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR). It was produced under Vijaya banner and was directed by L. V. Prasad. The title character, Missamma, was played by the actress Savitri. Missamma is the movie adaptation of Yotish Banerjee's classic Bengali comedy Manmoyee Girls School. The dialogues and song lyrics were written by Pingali Nagendra Rao and sung by A. M. Rajah, P. Leela and P. Susheela.

N. T. R and Mary are foils for each other - Mary's aggressive personality and N. T. R's meekness are frequently juxtaposed. Mary is a staunch Christian in this movie, and in many scenes complains about Hindu customs and the Hindu pantheon. N. T. R, on the other hand, is knowledgeble and accepting of several religions, having read the Bible, Koran, Bhagavad Gita, and Rig Veda. The undercurrent religion theme is best exemplified when Paul, Mary's father says that, "as rivers join at the sea, all the religions and devotees only pray to the Almighty".

Appuchesi Pappukudu is released in 1958 directed by LV Prasad. LV Prasad's comedy stages the victory of nationalist-modern alliance over decadent feudalism, with all the ingredients of comic-social film. Staring SV Ranga Rao, Savitri, NT Rama Rao, Savitri, Jamuna, EV Saroja, K Jaggaiah, Relangi Venkat Ramaiah, CSR Anjaneyulu, Ramana Reddy, K Siva Rao, Girija, Sivaram, Suryakantham & Rajanala Nageswara Rao.
Gundamma Katha is a 1962 film produced by famous producer duo B. Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani starring mainly S.V. Ranga Rao, N. T. Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Suryakantham, Jamuna, Savithri, Ramana Reddy, Rajanala, Chayadevi, L. Vijayalakshmi and Haranath. The plot revolves around the story of a proud mother, Gundamma and the way she was brought on track by her two young sons-in-law. the movie is considered a masterpiece in telugu movie realm and is also considered as one of the most critically acclaimed movies of all times.

Meghasandesam (Megha Sandesam, Meghasandesham) is directed by Dasari Narayana Rao. It is widely regarded as one of the most notable Telugu movies. It is expressed by people as Drushya kavyam. The film was exhibited in Indian Panorama, and also shown at Cannes Film Festival and Moscow's International film festival.

Meghasandesam is the story of a common man who has an innate urge for poetry. He leads a simple life marrying a common villager, with children and respected in society. His life is normal until he finds a lady who is a Devadasi (a village dancer), and she inspires his creativity. As a truly inspired poet, he writes excellent poetry. But the other villagers mistake him as being attracted to the dancer. After some family drama and sequences, his wife lives away from him (to fulfill his poetic thirst), and he settles down with the dancer.

Sankarabharanam is a 1979 musical film in the Telugu language, directed by Dr. K. Vishwanath and produced by Poornodaya Movie Creations. It led to the revival of Indian classical music in Andhra Pradesh. The movie deals with two pertinent issues - decline in popularity of Carnatic music and the teacher-student relationship. The movie is considered to be one of the best to have ever emerged from Telugu film industry.
Sagara Sangamam is released in 1982 directed by Dr. K. Vishwanath. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu for that year. It also received accolades at the Asian Film Festival in both the "Best Movie" and "Best Actor" categories. Ilaiyaraaja won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for his musical work in this film, and the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer was awarded to S. P. Balasubramaniam for his vocal contributions to the soundtrack.

Alluri Seetharama Raju (1974) is a historical Telugu cinema based on the life of Alluri Sitaramaraju and produced by Padmalaya Studios. The film is directed by V. Ramachandra Rao and written by Maharadhi Tripuraneni. Staring Krishna and Vijaya Nirmala.

Alluri Sita Rama Raju (1897 - 1924) (Aluri Rama Raju, Rama Chandra Raju, and Alluri Seetha Rama Raju) was a young Indian revolutionary during the freedom struggle,and to this day he remains an inspiring role model for those who fight against oppression.

Muthyala Muggu is a 1975 film adaption of Uttara Ramayana from the writer-director duo of Ramana and Bapu.The film stars Sreedhar, Sangeetha, Rao Gopal Rao, Mukkamala, Allu Ramalingaiah and Nutan Prasad. The movie revolves around the nuances of a husband and wife. The movie introduced Sangeetha and Rao Gopal Rao, both of whom shot to instant success with the release of the movie. After this movie, Rao Gopal Rao would go on to have a scintillating career, acting in numerous movies, playing various characters and garnering acclaim from all quarters
Other Great Films
Mana Desam, Patala Bhairavi, Pelli Chesi Choodu, Pelli Pustakam, Showkar, Sumangali, Swapna Sundari, Swarga Seema, Thyagayya, Papam Pasivadu, Dongala Veta, Maro Charitra, Prema Nagar, Premabishekam, Kaidi, Rudra Veena.

Well-known Personalities of Telugu Film Industry

Actors and Actresses
SV Ranaga Rao, Nageswara Rao, NT Rama Rao, Rajanala, Relangi, Jaggayiah, Gummadi, Savitri, Shavukaru Janaki, Banumathi Ramakrishna, Krishna Kumari, Jamuna, Anjali, Nirmala, Surya Kantham, Sharada, Krishna, Shobhan Babu, Chandra Mohan, Murali Mohan, Mohan Babu, Vijaya Niramala, Rao Gopala Rao, Krishnam Raju, Bramhanadam, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Jayasudha, Jayaprada, Vijayashanti, Chiranjivi. (* Actors and Acresses come to the film industry becuase of their parents and family members are not included in the list).

B. Nagi Reddy, K. V. Reddy, L. V. Prasad, P. S. Ramakrishna Rao, Adurthi Subba Rao, V. Madhusudhana Rao, Dasari Narayana Rao, K. Raghavendra Rao, K. Viswanath, Ravi Raja Pinisetty, Kodi Ramakrishna, Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, Bapu, Jandhyala, A. Kodandarami Reddy, Vamsy, B. Gopal, E. V. V. Satyanarayana, Ram Gopal Varma, Krishna Vamsi, S. V. Krishna Reddy, Guna Sekhar, Puri Jagannadh, Sekhar Kammula, Trivikram Srinivas, Vijaya Nirmala, Suresh Krishna, R. Narayanamurthi, Teja, Jayanth C Paranji,Neelakanta, Muppalaneni Shiva, Siva Nageshwara Rao, N.Shankar, Jeevitha Rajasekhar.

Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu, H.M.Reddy, B. Nagi Reddy, Chakrapani, L. V. Prasad, B.A.Subba Rao, M.S.Reddy, Padmanabham, P. S. Ramakrishna Rao, VB Rajendraprasad, Kancharla Madhav Rao, D. Ramanaidu, YVS chowdary, Allu Aravind, Shyamprasad Reddy, Edida Nageshwara Rao, S. Gopalreddy, Kancharla Narayanarao, Aswini Dutt, Dil Raju, Manthena Subba Raju (M.S. Raju), Ramoji Rao, D. Suresh Babu, Murali Mohan, , V. Doraiswamy Raju, DVS Raju, N. Ramakrishna, Maganti Ravindranath Chowdary, A.M. Rathnam, Sravanthi Ravi Kishore, K.S.Rama Rao, M. Shyam Prasad Reddy, Ambica Krishna, R.B.Chowdary, B. Madhu, D.V.V. Danayya, Nallamalupu Bujji, N.V. Prasad, Shanam Naga Ashok Kumar, Koganti Visweswara Rao, Sivaprasad Reddy. Suryanarayana Raju Upalapati.

Telugu person of the day
Sri Sri

Sri Sri
Srirangam Srinivasarao (30 April 1910 - 15 June 1983) was a popular modern Telugu poet and lyricist.

Telugu Resources
Telugu one.com (Telugu Website)
Silicon Andhra.org
Lekhini (Telugu Typing)
Koodali(Telugu Blog)
Chimata (Telugu Music)


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