In Indian cinema, an item number or special song is a musical number inserted into a film that may or may not have any relevance to the plot. The term is commonly used within Indian films to describe a catchy, upbeat, often provocative dance sequence for a song performed in a movie. The main aim of an item number is to entertain movie-goers and to lend support to the marketability of the film by being featured in trailers. They are favoured by filmmakers as they afford the opportunity to pick potential hit songs from the stocks, since they do not add to the continuity of the plot. It is thus a vehicle for commercial success that ensures repeat viewing.
Allu Arjun is an Indian actor who works in Telugu cinema. One of the highest-paid actors in Indian cinema, Allu Arjun has been featured in Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list since 2014. He is a recipient of several awards including a National Film Award, six Filmfare Awards, and three Nandi Awards. He is considered to be one of the finest dancers in Indian cinema. He is popularly referred to as "Stylish Star" and "Icon Star".
The Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Telugu is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Telugu films. The first award in Telugu was given in 2004. During the period of 1997–2004, a common award for was given irrespective of gender of singers across all the four language-industries. K. S. Chithra is the first recipient also holds the record for maximum number of wins.
Kanukuntla Subhash Chandrabose is an Indian lyricist and singer who works in Telugu cinema. Chandrabose debuted as a lyricist with the 1995 film Taj Mahal. In a career spanning over 25 years, he has written lyrics for about 3600 songs in over 850 films. Chandrabose won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for the song "Naatu Naatu" from RRR (2022). He has received one National Award, two Nandi Awards, two Filmfare Awards, and three SIIMA Awards as a lyricist.
Bathukamma is a Hindu flower-festival celebrated by the women of Telangana and some parts of Andhra Pradesh. Every year this festival is celebrated as per the Sathavahana calendar for nine days starting on Pitru Amavasya, which usually coincides with the months September–October of the Gregorian calendar. Bathukamma is celebrated for nine days and corresponds to the festivals of Sharad Navratri and Durga Puja. It starts on the day of Mahalaya Amavasya and the 9-day festivities will culminate on "Saddula Bathukamma" or "Pedda Bathukamma." Bathukamma is followed by Boddemma, which is a 7-day festival. The Boddemma festival that marks the ending of Varsha Ruthu whereas Bathukamma marks the beginning of Sarad or Sharath Ruthu.
The Culture of Telangana in India has a cultural history of about 5,000 years. The region emerged as the foremost centre of culture in Indian subcontinent during the rule of Kakatiyas, the Qutb Shahis and Asaf Jahi dynasties—. The rulers patronage and interest for culinary, arts and culture transformed Telangana into a multi-cultural region where two different cultures coexist together, thus making Telangana the representative of the Deccan Plateau and its heritage with Warangal and Hyderabad being its epicenter. Hyderabadi cuisine and Kakatiya architecture both from Telangana, are on the list of UNESCO creative city of gastronomy and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The regions major cultural events celebrated are "Kakatiya Festival" and Deccan Festival along with religious festivals Bonalu, Bathukamma, Dasara, Ugadi, Sankranthi, Milad un Nabi and Ramadan.
Anasuya Bharadwaj is an Indian television presenter and actress who works in Telugu films and television. She is most notable for her performances in the films Kshanam (2016) and Rangasthalam (2018).
Anu Emmanuel is an American actress of Indian descent who primarily works in Telugu films along with Tamil and Malayalam films. Emmanuel is a recipient of a Producers Guild Film Award.
Rahul Sipligunj is an Indian playback singer and songwriter. He became popular with his independent songs on YouTube.
Mohana Bhogaraju is an Indian playback singer who has recorded songs in Telugu-language films. She gained recognition with the song "Manohari" from the film Baahubali: The Beginning for which she won the Radio Mirchi–Mirchi Music upcoming female vocalist 2015 award in Telugu Cinema.
Kandikonda was an Indian film lyricist known for his works in Telugu cinema. Kandikonda was born in Nagurlapally, Narsampet Mandal, Warangal district. He was awarded a doctorate for his thesis on Situational songs in Telugu cinema from Osmania University.
Pushpa: The Rise is a 2021 Indian Telugu-language action drama film written and directed by Sukumar, and produced by Mythri Movie Makers and Muttamsetty Media. The film stars Allu Arjun as Pushpa Raj, a coolie who rises in a syndicate that smuggles red sandalwood, a rare wood that grows only in the Seshachalam Hills of Andhra Pradesh. The ensemble supporting cast includes Fahadh Faasil, Rashmika Mandanna, Dhananjaya, Jagadeesh Prathap Bandari, Ajay, Raj Tirandasu, Sunil, Rao Ramesh, Ajay Ghosh, Shatru, Shanmukh and Anasuya Bharadwaj.
Love Story is a 2021 Indian Telugu-language musical romantic-drama film written and directed by Sekhar Kammula. Produced by Amigos Creations and Sree Venkateswara Cinemas, the film stars Sai Pallavi and Naga Chaitanya while Rajeev Kanakala, Devayani, Easwari Rao and Uttej play supporting roles. The film tells the story of an inter-caste relationship between Mounika (Pallavi) and Revanth (Chaitanya) who meet in the city while pursuing their dreams.
SIIMA Award for Best Director – Telugu is presented by Vibri media group as part of its annual South Indian International Movie Awards, for best film direction done by a director in Telugu films. The award was first given in 2012 for films released in 2011. Trivikram Srinivas is the most nominated with 5 nominations while S. S. Rajamouli is the most awarded director with three wins.
SIIMA Award for Best Supporting Actress – Telugu is presented by Vibri media group as part of its annual South Indian International Movie Awards, for the best acting done by an actor in a supporting role in Telugu films. The award was first given in 2013 for films released in 2012. Jayasudha is the most nominated with 5 nominations and Anasuya Bharadwaj most awarded with 2 times winning the award.
SIIMA Award for Best Female Playback Singer – Telugu is presented by Vibri media group as part of its annual South Indian International Movie Awards, for the best singing by a female playback singer/vocalist of a Telugu-language song. The award was first given in 2012 for songs and films released in 2011.
"Saranga Dariya" is an Indian Telugu-language folk song, originally sung by Telangana folk artistes. The song was sung by various artistes with slight changes in the lyrics. It is featured in the 2021 Telugu film Love Story starring Sai Pallavi. It is composed by Pawan CH., sung by Mangli and with lyrics written by Suddala Ashok Teja. The song became popular, when singer Komali Tatte sang it in the reality TV series Relare Rela in 2010. The film's lyrical version was released on 28 February 2021 through Aditya Music.
Pushpa: The Rise is the soundtrack album composed by Devi Sri Prasad to the 2021 Indian Telugu-language action drama film of the same name, directed by Sukumar, starring Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil. The soundtrack features five tracks written by Chandrabose.
Jagadeesh Prathap Bandari is an Indian actor who prominently worked in Telugu films. He made his debut with Avanti Cinema's Nirudyoga Natulu in 2018 and was seen in Raj Rachakonda's Mallesham followed by George Reddy and Palasa 1978. His role as Kesava in the 2021 film Pushpa: The Rise brought him nationwide recognition. He was arrested in 2023 for allegedly abetting his ex-girlfriend's suicide.
Love Story is the soundtrack album composed by Pawan Ch for the 2021 Indian Telugu-language film of the same name featuring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi in lead roles, directed by Sekhar Kammula. The album consists of five songs with Suddala Ashok Teja, Bhaskarabhatla, Roll Rida, Chaithanya Pingali and Mittapalli Surender penning the lyrics. The soundtrack album was released on 22 September 2021 through Aditya Music label. Kartik Srinivasan of Film Companion added the song "Evo Evo Kalale" in his list of Top 10 Telugu songs of 2021.
