History of Telugu Cinema
July 30, 2011
History of Telugu Movies Leave a comment
- First Telugu Movie with audible dialogue – Baktha Prahladha
Telugu Cine Charithra
The cinema of Andhra Pradesh aka Telugu cinema(Telugu: తెలుగు సినీపరిశ్రమ) aka Tollywood, is the Telugu language film industry based in Hyderabad,Andra Pradesh, India.
This industry is among the largest in India on the basis of revenue & box office trailing the Hindi and Tamil film industries.The Prasads IMAX theatre in Hyderabad has the biggest IMAX 3D screen in the world. The industry has earned a handful of Guinness World Records, including records for acting in the same role the most times by an actor (N. T. Rama Rao as Lord Krishna, 18 times), the most number of films directed by a female director (Vijaya Nirmala), the most films produced by one person (D. Ramanaidu), the most number of songs sung by a male singer (S.P.Balasubramanyam), the most same-language films acted by a person (Brahmanandam), the largest film production facility in the world, etc. Bhakta Prahlada, released on September 15, 1931, was South India’s first talkie film to have a theatrical release.
Industry
The Telugu cinema industry is based in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. Chennai was the hub for both Tamil, Telugu cinema until the early 1970s, due to its importance and significance as yesteryear’s capital of South India Madras State. Still many Telugu cinemas are shot in the traditional studios such as AVM. Now Hyderabad is the modern hub of Telugu film industry, while Chennai remains to be the Home of Tamil film industry. The Telugu film industry produces the second most no. of films every year in India, with about 245 films produced in 2006. Popular movies tend to open during the three festive/holiday seasons of the region: Sankranthi, Ugadi, and Dussera. In 2004, the total revenue for the Sankranthiseason was around 1.5 billion (US$37 million, as of 17 July 2007), greater than that of the Hindi film industry. Unlike in other states, there are a number of television channels, especially news channels, dedicated exclusively to feature programs related to Telugu films: these include DD Saptagiri, Maa, Gemini, Eenadu, Zee Telugu, Teja, MAA MOVIES, Sitara, Maa Music, Gemini Music, local TV, DG cable, ATV, GCV, Kushi TV.
Currently, about 150 Telugu films are released every year with approximately 3 productions every week, though more than half of the films prove to be failures just like in any other Indian film industry. Just like any other cinema industry, the Telugu film industry produces all genres of cinema. In 2005, the annual turnover reached 2,550 million ticket sales of 160 crores. Today, Telugu films are distributed to various theatres around the world in countries such as the USA, the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, and Australia. In the USA, Telugu cinema has a huge revenue in the form of NRIs.
Box Office Collections
The Telugu film industry accounts for 1% of the gross domestic product of Andhra Pradesh. There is a fair amount of dispersion among the Indian film industries. Many successful Telugu films have been remade by the Hindi and Tamil film industries. In fact almost half of Tamil films made nowadays are remakes of hit Telugu films. There are also remakes of a few Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam movies done in Telugu. Nowadays most Telugu films are subsequently dubbed into Malayalam and oriya on release. In the last two years, about 30 Telugu films were simultaneously released in Malayalam. Given below is a table of the box office collections of the Telugu film industry, with figures in millions of Indian rupees.
Year | Telugu box office (in million Rs.) |
| 1980 | 819 |
| 1985 | 1,526 |
| 1990 | 3,333 |
| 1995 | 7,985 |
| 2000 | 14,011 |
| 2005 | 23,044 |
Distribution
The state of Andhra Pradesh has more than 3700 cinema theatres, of which 200 are in the city of Hyderabad alone. Telugu film distribution is divided into 12 areas:
Area | Cities |
| Nizam | Hyderabad |
| Rangareddy | |
| Medak | |
| Nalgonda | |
| Nizamabad (Induru) | |
| Warangal (aka Orugallu or Ekasila Nagaram) | |
| Adilabad | |
| Khammam | |
| Mahabubnagar (Palamuru) | |
| Karimnagar | |
| Raichur (Karnataka) | |
| Rayalaseema | Kurnool |
| Kadapa | |
| Anantapur | |
| Chittoor | |
| Tirupathi | |
| Bellary (Karnataka) | |
| Guntur | Guntur |
| Prakasam | |
| Krishna | |
| Nellore | |
| East Godavari | |
| West Godavari | |
| Vizag | Visakhapatnam |
| Vizianagaram | |
| Srikakulam | |
| Tamil Nadu | |
| Karnataka | |
| Orissa | |
| Overseas |
Shift of Telugu Industry from Madras to Hyderabad
Telugu cinema was established and developed in Chennai and until 1970 the industry was located in Chennai. Veteran actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao was the first person to come toHyderabad and build a studio, which he named Annapurna Studios. By the early 1990s, the industry had completely shifted to Hyderabad.Shift of Industry from
Madras to Hyderabad
HISTORY
Early Development: 1912 – 1930
The Telugu film industry originated with silent film in 1912, with the production of Bhisma Pratighna. The film was directed by Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu and his son R. S. Prakash. The two would go on to produce and direct dozens of films throughout the decade, casting theater actors in major roles. They established a long-lasting precedent of focusing exclusively on religious themes; Nandanar, Gajendra Moksham, and Matsyavatar, three of their most famous productions, centered on religious figures, parables, and morals.
Rise of the Talkie: 1931 – 1947
In 1931, the first Telugu film with audible dialogue, Bhakta Prahlada, was produced by H.M. Reddy. Popularly known as ‘talkies’, films with sound quickly grew in number and popularity. In 1934, the industry saw its first major commercial success with Lavakusa. Directed by C. Pullaiah and starringParupalli Subbarao and Sriranjani in lead roles, the film attracted unprecedented numbers of viewers to theaters and thrust the young film industry into mainstream culture.
Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu, his son R. S. Prakash, and C. Pulliah made cinema popular during the silent era taking film rolls and projectors exhibiting films in the South. Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu, hailed as the father of Telugu cinema, was the first exhibitor in the South. He bought a crono-megaphone, the first projector equipped to reproduce sound by disk system and exhibited short reels as early as 1910. He travelled all over the South and in Burma and Ceylon. Venkaiah established the Star of East studios to produce silent films.
The success of Alam Ara encouraged Irani to diversify into regional language productions in Telugu and Tamil the same year. It was Ardeshir Irani’s associate Hanumantha Muniappa Reddy who directed Bhakta Prahalada, which was released six weeks ahead of the first Tamil talkie, Kalidas, which Reddy himself directed with a mixed cast of Telugu, Tamil and Hindi actors. Bhakta Prahlada had an all-Telugu cast featuring Munipalle Subbiah as Hiranyakasipa and Surabhi Kamalabai as Leelavathy. Both the films were made in Bombay. By 1936, the mass appeal of film allowed directors to move away from religious and mythological themes. That year, under the direction of Krithiventi Nageswara Rao, Prema Vijayam, a film focusing on social issues, was released. Its success prompted the production of dozens of other immensely successful ‘social films’, notably 1939’s Vandemataram andMaala Pilla. Touching on societal problems like the status of Untouchables and the practice of giving dowry, Telugu films increasingly focused on contemporary living: 29 of the 96 films released between 1937 and 1947 had social themes.
15 September 1931 saw the release of the first Telugu talkie Bhakta Prahalada in Crown in Kakinada, Maruthi in Vijayawada, Gaiety in Madras and Minerva in Machlipatnam. Just a few months earlier, on 14 March 1931, the first Indian talkie film, Alam Ara was released at Majestic Cinema, Bombay and in other parts of the country including Maruthi Talkies, Vijayawada. People thronged to the cinema halls where it was exhibited. With its box office success, the country’s first black market in cinema tickets began with a four anna (a quarter of a rupee) ticket sometimes being resold for 4 or 5.
C. Pullaiah, after gaining experience in the cinematic art, purchased a secondhand movie camera in 1924 in Bombay, and returned to his native Kakinada intending to make films on Andhra soil. He shot a silent film, Markandeya, with himself cast as Yama and projected the film on a whitewashed wall in his house, to the amazement of his friends, through the very same camera with which he shot the film. He used to call cinema “Goda Meedi Bomma”. It was C. Pullaiah who gave Telugu cinema’s first huge hit, Lavakusa (1934), starring Parupalli Subbarao and Sriranjani (Sr.). It was his second feature film (Savithri, his first talkie film, had been made a year before with Ramathilakam and Gaggaiah. Interestingly, there were two Savithris and two Ramadasus in 1933). People flocked to the theatres from nearby 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 film, Prema Vijayam (1936), directed by Krithiventi Nageswara Rao. However, the success of reformist filmmaker Gudavalli Ramabrahmam’s Malapilla (1938) starring 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.
The outbreak of World War II and the subsequent resource scarcity caused the British Raj to impose a limit on the use of filmstrip in 1943 to 11,000 feet, a sharp reduction from the 20,000 feet that had been common till then. As a result, the number of films produced during the War was substantially lower than in previous years. Nonetheless, prior to the ban, an important shift occurred in the industry: independent studios formed, actors and actresses were signed to contracts limiting who they could work for, and films moved from social themes to folklore legends. 1942’s Balanagamma typified these changes: the film featured fantasy elements of cultural lore, was produced by Gemini Studios, and its producers added a restricting clause to the lead actress’ contract. By 1947, nearly all films were produced by studios with contracted actors. To date, more than 11,567 films have been made. More than 50 Telugu films so far have been remade or dubbed into other Indian languages (See List of films remade or dubbed from the Telugu language).
Trivia
- Telugu cinema was dominated by Chittor V. Nagaiah, L. V. Prasad among others during 1940-50s.
- From 1960s through the 1980s, the industry was dominated by S.V.Ranga Rao, N. T. Rama Rao, A. Nageswara Rao, Jaggayya and Kanta Rao
- From 1975s to 1987 Krishna (actor), Sobhan Babu, Krishnam Raju maintained a strong grip on the box office.
- From 1990’s onwards, the industry was dominated by Chiranjeevi, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Nagarjuna Akkineni and Daggubati Venkatesh.
- From 2000’s onwards, several actors made their foray into lead actor roles, changing the box office domination pattern.
List of National Awards won:
Year | Winner | Film | Category |
| 2010 | D. Ramanaidu | Lifetime Contribution to Indian Cinema (Producer) | Dadasaheb Phalke Award |
| 2010 | K. Siva Shankar | Magadheera | Best Choreography |
| 2010 | R. Kamal Kannan | Magadheera | Best Special Effects |
| 2007 | Satish Kasetty (director) | Hope | Best Film on Other Social Issues |
| 2006 | Sai Kumar | Bommalata | Best Child Artist |
| 2005 | Vidyasagar | Swarabhishekam | Best Music Direction |
| 2005 | Sanath (Fire Fly Digital) | Anji | Best Special Effects |
| 2005 | Mohan Krishna Indraganti (director) | Grahanam | Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director |
| 2004 | Suddala Ashok Teja | Tagore (Nenu Sytham) | Best Lyrics |
| 2002 | G. Neelakanta Reddy | Show | Best Screenplay |
| 2002 | K. N. T. Sastry (director) | Thiladaanam | Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director |
| 2000 | Sekhar Kammula (director) | Dollar Dreams | Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director |
| 1999 | Dasari Narayana Rao (director) | Kante Koothurne Kanu | Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Feature Film) |
| 1998 | M. M. Keeravani | Annamayya | Best Music Direction |
| 1998 | Nagarjuna | Annamayya | Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Feature Film) |
| 1997 | Kavya | Little Soldiers | Best Child Artist |
| 1996 | Rohini | Stri | Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Feature Film) |
| 1994 | Veturi Sundararama Murthy | Mathru Devo Bhava (Raali Poye Puvva) | Best Lyrics |
| 1994 | Bhanumathi Ramakrishna (author) | Naalo Nenu (book) | Best Book on Cinema |
| 1992 | Santosh Reddy | Bhadram Koduko | Best Child Artist |
| 1992 | Vani Jayaram | Swathi Kiranam (Aanati Neeyaraa) | Best Female Playback Singer |
| 1992 | P. L. Narayana | Yagnam | National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| 1991 | Vijayashanti | Khartavyam | Best Actress |
| 1990 | Mani Ratnam (director) | Geethanjali | Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment |
| 1990 | Akkineni Nageswara Rao | Lifetime Contribution to Indian Cinema (Actor) | Dadasaheb Phalke Award |
| 1989 | Archana | Daasi | Best Actress |
| 1989 | Apurba Kishore Bir | Daasi | Best Cinematography |
| 1989 | T. Vaikundam | Daasi | Best Art Direction |
| 1989 | Ilayaraaja | Rudraveena | Best Music Direction |
| 1989 | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | Rudraveena (Cheppaalani Undi) | Best Male Playback Singer |
| 1989 | K. Balachander | Rudraveena | Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration |
| 1988 | Singeetam Srinivasa Rao (director) | Pushpak | Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment |
| 1986 | Sudha Chandran | Mayuri | Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Feature Film) |
| 1986 | B. Nagi Reddy | Lifetime Contribution to Indian Cinema (Producer) | Dadasaheb Phalke Award |
| 1985 | S. Janaki | Sitaara (Vennello Godari Andham) | Best Female Playback Singer |
| 1985 | Anil Malnad | Sitaara | Best Editing |
| 1984 | Ilayaraaja | Saagara Sangamam | Best Music Direction |
| 1984 | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | Saagara Sangamam (Vedam Anuvanuvuna) | Best Male Playback Singer |
| 1984 | P. Susheela | M. L. A. Yedukondalu (Yento Beedha Vedu Gopaludu) | Best Female Playback Singer |
| 1983 | Ramesh Naidu | Meghasandesam | Best Music Direction |
| 1983 | Jandhyala | Ananda Bhairavi | National Film Award for Best Directing |
| 1983 | K. J. Yesudas | Meghasandesam (Aakaasha Deshaana) | Best Male Playback Singer |
| 1983 | P. Susheela | Meghasandesam (Priya Charushile) | Best Female Playback Singer |
| 1982 | K. Viswanath (director) | Sapthapadhi | Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration |
| 1982 | L. V. Prasad | Lifetime Contribution to Indian Cinema (Actor, Director, Producer) | Dadasaheb Phalke Award |
| 1980 | K. V. Mahadevan | Shankarabharanam | Best Music Direction |
| 1980 | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | Shankarabharanam (Om Kaara Nadhaanu) | Best Male Playback Singer |
| 1980 | Vani Jayaram | Sankarabharanam (Dorakuna Ituvanti Seva) | Best Female Playback Singer |
| 1980 | K. Viswanath (director) | Sankarabharanam | Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment |
| 1980 | Paidi Jairaj | Lifetime Contribution to Indian Cinema (Actor, Director) | Dadasaheb Phalke Award |
| 1979 | Sharada | Nimajjanam | Best Actress |
| 1977 | P. Susheela | Siri Siri Muvva (Jhummandhi Naadham) | Best Female Playback Singer |
| 1977 | S. P. Ramanathan | Bhakta Kannappa | Best Audiography |
| 1977 | K. Babu Rao | Siri Siri Muvva | Best Editing |
| 1976 | Ishan Arya | Muthyala Muggu | Best Cinematography |
| 1975 | Sri Sri | Alluri Seetharamaraju (Telugu Veera Levaraa) | Best Lyrics |
| 1974 | Bomireddi Narasimha Reddy | Lifetime Contribution to Indian Cinema (Director) | Dadasaheb Phalke Award |
| 1970 | Sobhan Babu | Bangaru Panjaram (Classical) | Best Actor |
| 1969 | Devika Rani | Lifetime Contribution to Indian Cinema (Actress) | Dadasaheb Phalke Award |
| 1967 | Roja Ramani | Bhakta Prahlada | Best Child Artist |
| 1966 | Bhanumathi Ramakrishna | Palanati Yuddham | Best Actress |
| 1965 | Bhanumathi Ramakrishna | Antastulu | Best Actress |
| 1964 | Kamalakara Kameshwara Rao (director) | Narthanasala | Second Best Feature Film |
| 1963 | Kanta Rao | Lava Kusha | Best Actor |
| 1962 | S. V. Ranga Rao | NarthanasalaSarada | Best Actor |
Actor S. V. Ranga Rao won the National Film Award – (Rashtrapati Award) for Best Actor for the films Sarada (Telugu 1962), Narthana Sala (Telugu 1963), Naanum Orupen (1963),Karpagam (1963) and Annai (1962) from the Government of India.
Actor Kantha Rao won the National Film Award – (Rashtrapati Award) for Best Actor for the film LavaKusha (1963) for his role as Lakshmana from the Government of India.
Savitri (actress) won the National Film Award – (Rashtrapati Award) for Best Actress for the film Chivaraku Migiledi (1960) from the Government of India.
Actress Bhanumathi Ramakrishna won the National Film Award – (Rashtrapati Award) for Best Actress for the films Antastulu (1965) and Palanati Yuddham (1966) from the Government of India.
Actor Sobhan Babu won the National Film Award – (Central Govt Award for Best Classical Film Actor/Hero) in 1970 for the film Bangaru Panjaram from the Government of India.
Awards
- National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
- Nandi Awards
- Sangam Academy Award
- NTR National Award
- Raghupathi Venkaiah Award
- Allu Rama Lingaiah Award
- Gollapudi Srinivas Award
- CineMAA Awards
- Filmfare Awards South
- FNCC Awards
- Santosham Film Awards
Guinness World Records
Guinness Book of World Records:
- Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao for playing the same character 18 times
- D. Ramanaidu for producing the most films
- Vijaya Nirmala as the woman who has directed the most films
- Brahmanandam for acting in the most films
- S. P. Balasubramanyam for singing the most songs
- Ramoji Film City for Largest Film Production Facility in the world
Technological Firsts
- First colour movie: Tene Manasulu
- First Cinemascope movie: Alluri Seetharama Raju
- First 70mm movie: Simhasanam
Studios in Hyderabad
- Ramoji Film City
- Ramanaidu Studios
- Annapurna Studios
- Saradhi Studios
- Rama Krishna Horticultural Studio
- Padmalaya Studios
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