Telugu cinema, also known as Tollywood, is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Telugu language, widely spoken in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Telugu cinema is based in Film Nagar, Hyderabad. As of 2021, Telugu cinema is the largest film industry in India in terms of box-office. Telugu films sold 23.3 crore tickets in 2022, the highest among various film industries in India.
Devadasu is a 1953 Indian romance film directed by Vedantam Raghavayya and produced by D. L. Narayana for Vinodha Pictures. Chakrapani wrote the script based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel, Devdas. C. R. Subbaraman composed the film's music. The film was edited by P. V. Narayanan, while B. S. Ranga provided the cinematography.
R. Narayana Murthy also known as People's Star(born 31 December 1954) is an Indian actor, screenwriter, director, composer, singer, and producer. He works predominantly in Telugu Cinema. He received Nandi Special Jury Award for his film Dandora (1993).
Jai Bolo Telangana is a 2011 Telugu-language historical drama film based on the Telangana Movement, produced & directed by N.Shankar on Mahalakshmi Arts banner and Cinematography by T. Surendra Reddy. Starring Jagapathi Babu, Smriti Irani, Meera Nandan, Sandeep Singh and music composed by Chakri. Beginning with the 1948 movement against the annexing of Seemandhra region with Hyderabad into state of andhra pradesh, and the circumstances that arose since then, the movie covered the significant events until the tumultuous days at Osmania University in 2009. With the police beating up many peaceful Telangana agitators and Telangana people committing suicide for the formation of a separate Telangana state- all real life incidents. It also shows how politicians from seemandhra region have manipulated and bribed the media often.
Dongala Mutha is a 2011 Indian Telugu-language action thriller film directed by Ram Gopal Varma. The film stars Ravi Teja, Charmy, Prakash Raj, Lakshmi Manchu, Sunil, Bramhanandam, Subbaraju and Supreeth Reddy. This film is the first of its kind in Indian cinema as it was shot with just 7 crew members and in a record of 5 days. Prior to filming, Varma announced that this film has no budget and that the cast and crew will not be taking remunerations until the film hits theaters.
Maaro (Violent But Silent) is a 2011 Indian Telugu-language action comedy film directed by Siddique. It stars Nithiin and Meera Chopra in the lead roles. The film has been shot in 2005; and in 2006, the film was shelved. Now, after a very long time, to cash in on director Siddique's recent success with Bodyguard, the film was slated for 2011 release. The music is scored by Mani Sharma. The film was remade in Tamil as Sadhu Miranda, which ended up releasing three years prior to Maaro.The film is loosely based on the director's own 1995 Malayalam film Mannar Mathai Speaking which was based on the 1958 movie Vertigo.
Jeevitham is a 1950 Indian Telugu-language social guidance film produced by A. V. Meiyappan with his company AVM Productions and directed by M. V. Raman. The film stars Vyjayanthimala in her Telugu cinema debut with S. Varalakshmi, T. R. Ramachandran and C. H. Narayana Rao forming an ensemble cast, with many actors appearing in other significant roles. Actresses Lalitha and Padmini made guest appearances as stage dancers.
Srimannarayana is a 2012 Telugu-language action film, produced by Ramesh Puppala on Yellow Flowers banner, directed by Ravi Chavali and Cinematography by T. Surendra Reddy. Starring Nandamuri Balakrishna, Parvati Melton, Isha Chawla and music composed by Chakri.
Erra Cinema refers to a collection of films in Telugu attributed to various left oriented political ideologies. Although it cannot be understood as a genre, it owes its nomenclature to the popular coinage and reference. The Communist parties in Andhra Pradesh are popularly referred to as the 'Erra partilu' or 'Erra jenda partilu'. This reference is extended to films which portray the struggles of the oppressed and the downtrodden often banded under the aegis of a 'Red flag' party. Significant here is the ambiguity in the affiliation to the ideologies of specific political parties who commonly use red flags as symbols. This cinema is not always of an art-house variety. As with other cinemas in India, Telugu cinema attracted the cultural workers of the left and the left leaning intellectuals. Erra Cinema regularly uses their literature and particularly songs penned or performed by them. Due to the portrayal of the triumph of the proletarian collective over the hegemonic order these films are considered to be anti-establishment. This view may have strengthened with the portrayal of Naxalites or Maoists in these films. These films are also referred to as Naxalite films. K. B. Tilak, Dhavala Satyam, Vejjella Satyanarayana, Madala Ranga Rao, T. Krishna, R. Narayana Murthy, Dasari Narayana Rao, N. Shankar are some of the directors who have produced films categorised under Erra Cinema.
Erra Bus is a 2014 Indian Telugu-language film directed and produced by veteran actor and director Dasari Narayana Rao under his banner Tharaka Prabhu Films, it was his final film as director. The film stars Vishnu Manchu and Catherine Tresa. Dasari Narayana Rao plays a crucial role in the movie. Chakri has composed the music for the movie while Anji has taken care of the cinematography. The movie is a remake of N. Ragavan’s Tamil film, Manjapai (2014). The principal photography of Erra Bus started on 28 July 2014 in Hyderabad. The audio launch of the movie was held on 31 October 2014.
Hyper is a 2016 Indian Telugu-language action-comedy drama film directed by Santosh Srinivas and produced by 14 Reels Entertainment. The film features Ram Pothineni, Raashi Khanna, and Sathyaraj in the lead roles, while Rao Ramesh, Murali Sharma, Naresh, Thulasi Shivamani, Sayaji Shinde, Posani Krishna Murali, and Brahmaji play supporting roles. The songs featured in the film are composed by Ghibran, while the background score is composed by Mani Sharma. The film was released worldwide on 30 September 2016.
Aaradugula Bullet is a 2021 Indian Telugu-language action film directed by B. Gopal and written by Vakkantham Vamsi. Produced by Thandra Ramesh under the banner of Jaya Balaji Real Media, the film stars Gopichand and Nayanthara, with music composed by Mani Sharma. Originally scheduled to release on 9 June 2017, the film's release was delayed due to financial difficulties. It was released theatrically on 8 October 2021. The title of the film is based on a song from Attarintiki Daredi (2013). This is the last film of noted comedian M. S. Narayana. It opened to mixed-to-negative reviews from critics and ended up as a commercial failure.
Davala Satyam is an Indian film director, producer and screenplay writer. He has worked predominantly in Telugu cinema since the early 1980s.
Palasa 1978 is a 2020 Indian Telugu-language period action thriller film written and directed by Karuna Kumar in his directorial debut. The film stars Rakshith, Nakshatra, and Raghu Kunche who also composed the music. Prawin Yendamuri and Thiruveer play a supporting roles. The film is set in 1970s in Palasa, a town in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh and revolves around the incidents related to caste discrimination and untouchability. The film was listed in the Film Companion's "Top 7 Telugu films of 2020" chart.
Vaathi is a 2023 Indian period action drama film written and directed by Venky Atluri. The film was shot simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu with the latter titled as Sir and produced by Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas. The film feature Dhanush, in main lead as a Teacher, who is making his Telugu debut.
Orey Rikshaw is a 1995 Indian Telugu-language drama film written and directed by Dasari Narayana Rao, and produced by Dasari Film University. It stars R. Narayana Murthy, Ravali and Raghunatha Reddy. It features music composed by Vandemataram Srinivas.
Erra Sainyam is a 1994 Indian Telugu-language action drama film directed by R. Narayana Murthy and starring himself and Narra Venkateswara Rao. The film was screened in the mainstream section of the 26th International Film Festival of India. The film was a "runaway hit".
