The first telugu talkie Bhakta Prahlada, was released on Sept 15, 1931. It was directed by Hanumappa Muniappa Reddy. Most of the initial Telugu talkies released had mythological stories that drawed inspiration from the vibrant Telugu drama and stage industry.
After Bollywood (Nickname for Hindi Movie Industry), more number of movies are made in Telugu every year than any other language in India. The first Telugu film Bhishma Pratigna was made in 1922 by R.S. Prakash. Yaragudipati Varada Rao (1903-1973) was another notable contributor to the Telugu movie industry. He was an actor and director, who directed silent films like Pandava Nirvana, Pandava Agnathavaas in 1930 and Hari Maya in 1932.
In 1936, Krittiventi Nageswara Rao made the first Telugu film not based on mythology, Premavijayam. This film influenced other Telugu film-makers into making such films. Some popular themes of these films (often called 'social' films) were the feudal zamindari system (Raitu Bidda, 1939), untouchability (Malapilla, 1938), and widow remarriage. Since then, there have been both 'social'(contemporary) and mythological or folk stories in Telugu cinema.
Currently, about 150 Telugu movies are released every year with approximately two releases every week. In 2005, the annual turnover reached to Rs. 2.3 Billion ($52 Million) on ticket sales of 700 million. Popular movies tend to open during the three festive seasons of the region: Sankranthi, summer, and Dasara. In 2004, the total business for the Sankranthi season was around Rs. 1.5 Billion (150 Crores). There are at least three TV channels that are dedicated exclusively to feature programs related to Telugu movies.
Below is a chart of box office collections of Telugu Cinema with figures in millions of Indian Rupees.
Year Tollywood Box Office
1980 - 819
1985 - 1,526
1990 - 3,333
1995 - 7,985
2000 - 14,011
2005 - 23,044
(1 crore = 10,000,000 rupees, approximately US$230,000 or €190,000 on May 11, 2005.)
Changing face of Telugu Cinema
The series of hits has emboldened the young filmmakers to challenge the old order, while the other directors are preparing to showcase Telugu cinema's best and brightest. Even language and appearances no longer form a barrier.
In the last decade, rising production costs, astronomical star fees, and other commercial imperatives had driven filmmakers into a corner where copied stories, and styles, have been the norm.
Now things have changed. Combine vision with grandeur, the latest technology in special effects with trendy music, a good cast and a storyline that appeals to the masses and directors whose very touch turns the film into a box-office hit.
Another lucky turn have been the powerful performances, music that's like poetry, the effortless comedy and the filming style that showed technical finesse with simplicity.
The cost of production has not really come down but the rise in viewership has given cinema financial push that's more than average.
Future looks bright
As far as exhibitors are concerned, the resurgence of film industry is a happy sign, and causes enough for a happier projection into the future.
The dumping of slab system in favor of taxation according to occupancy also has added to the cheer. Industry estimates show that, in the first six months of this year, net box office collections in the domestic market have gone up.
The growth of multiplexes has also helped in pushing up box office collections, as is the newer trend of pushing more prints in the market in the first week to reduce piracy.
In the latter half of 2006, by coincidence almost, every big actor has at least one release lined up -- films that will hopefully re-establish their iconic connection with the masses.
Telugu Cinema makes all the difference
Telugu film industry accounts for 1% of the gross state domestic product of Andhra Pradesh.
Creating one of the biggest markets for Indian Cinema, across the world.
Unfolded many exclusive properties of Telugu literature like ‘padyam’.
No other cinema is enriched with artists of versatality, especially comedians. There are number of comedians who can also perform character roles and vice versa.
Telugu Film Industry is less affected by Mafia…other industries like Bollywood feel jealous of the punctuality and decipline maintained here.
Directors, Actors and Actresses of Telugu Cinema brought remarkable changes in the other fields like politics, social service, real estate etc.
Being a powerful medium Telugu helps to keep our mother tounge alive, far better than the socalled Telugu TV channels.
All about the #1 attributes of Telugu Cinema
First cine studio built by Telugu people (Tamil Nadu):
Vel Picture Studio, Madras…[Seeta Kalyanam (1934)]
First cine studio of Andhra region:
Durga Cine Tone - Rajahmundry
First Cine Studio of Andhra Pradesh:
Sarathi Studios (1958) - Hyderabad
First Cine Magazine:
Chitra Kala (1938) - Editor: Inturi Venkateswara Rao
Telugu movie is gradually losing its originality with English captions, borrowed scripts, austerity of local talents in every facet...cast, directors etc. and by focusing on other weird stuff like copying everything that doesn’t go well with our nativity and see the great imitation- Tollywood; out of 8Crs of Telugus no one could suggest a right name for Telugu film industry!
Corportate style of film making and right planning lessens the risk of flops and other unwanted consequences.
Another unwanted thing budding up is the tendency of fans favoritism-turns- antagonism.
Telugu film industry accounts for 1% of the gross state domestic product of Andhra Pradesh.
