104-611: Uppalapati Venkata Suryanarayana Prabhas Raju ( [pɾabʱaːs] born 23 October 1979), known mononymously as Prabhas , is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Telugu cinema . He is one of the highest-paid actors in Indian cinema and has been featured in Forbes India ' s Celebrity 100 list since 2015. Referred to in the media as the "Rebel Star", he has appeared in over 20 films, and has received seven Filmfare Awards nominations,
208-498: A Nandi Award , and a SIIMA Award . Prabhas made his acting debut with the drama Eeswar (2002), and later attained his breakthrough with the action romance Varsham (2004). He went on to star in other commercially successful films such as Chatrapathi (2005), Bujjigadu (2008), Billa (2009), Darling (2010), Mr. Perfect (2011), and Mirchi (2013), winning the Nandi Award for Best Actor for his performance in
312-763: A memorandum of understanding with the Motion Picture Association of America to combat video piracy. In the years 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2014 the industry has produced the largest number of films in India, exceeding the number of films produced in Bollywood . The digital cinema network company UFO Moviez marketed by Southern Digital Screenz (SDS) has digitised several cinemas in the region. The Film and Television Institute of Telangana, Film and Television Institute of Andhra Pradesh, Ramanaidu Film School and Annapurna International School of Film and Media are some of
416-569: A "must watch" with children. Eega won various awards at the 8th Toronto After Dark Film Festival . Sub Genre war drama Kanche (2015) by Krish Jagarlamudi explored the 1944 Nazi attack on the Indian army in the Italian campaign , during World War II in an engrossing background tale of caste-ism while giving it a technically brilliant cinematic rendition. Sankalp Reddy explored submarine warfare in his directorial debut Ghazi (2017), based on
520-401: A Telugu person. He sent his son, Raghupathi Surya Prakash Naidu (R. S. Prakash) to study filmmaking in the studios of England , Germany , and United States . In 1921, they made Bhishma Pratigna , generally considered as the first Telugu feature film. Venkaiah Naidu produced the film, while R. S. Prakash directed and produced it along with playing the title character Bhishma . As
624-488: A blockbuster. It was one of the highest grossing Telugu films of the year as well as one of the highest-grossing Telugu films of all time , at the time of its release . His performance in the film earned him his fifth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu. NDTV gave the film a mixed review, stating that "apart from good direction and strong performance by the lead actor, Mirchi lacks narrative power and
728-486: A comeback film for him. In 2024, he starred in Nag Ashwin 's epic science fiction film Kalki 2898 AD . Made on a ₹ 600 crore (US$ 72 million) production budget, it is the most expensive Indian film . Kalki 2898 AD grossed over ₹191 crore worldwide on its opening day, which was the third highest first day gross for an Indian film , and making it the fifth and third consecutive ₹100 crore opener worldwide for Prabhas,
832-436: A dual role as Shivudu/Mahendra Baahubali and Amarendra Baahubali in S.S. Rajamouli 's epic action drama Baahubali: The Beginning (2015). With a budget of ₹180 crore ($ 28 million), it was the most expensive Indian film ever made at the time of release, and became a record-breaking box office success. The film eventually grossed over ₹ 600 crore (US$ 72 million) worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Telugu film and
936-512: A feat unheard of in Indian cinema . Rahul Malhotra of Collider quotes that Kalki 2898 AD’s resounding opening cements "Prabhas as one of the biggest Indian movie stars of his generation". The film grossed over ₹ 1,100 crore (US$ 130 million) at the box-office, making it the second ₹1,000 crore (US$ 120 million) film for Prabhas. Prabhas has several upcoming films in various stages of production. In April 2025, he will feature in Kannappa ,
1040-456: A folklore film hero into a star of social films. Missamma (1955), directed by L. V. Prasad , and adapted from two Bengali works, became a landmark in Telugu cinema. It was celebrated for its blend of humour, drama, and social commentary. Savitri emerged as a leading actress after this film. Likewise, Thodi Kodallu (1957) and Mangalya Balam (1959) were also adapted from Bengali novels. In
1144-559: A long-lasting precedence of focusing exclusively on religious themes — Gajendra Moksham , Nandanar , and Matsyavataram —three of their most noted productions, centred on religious figures, parables, and morals. The first Telugu film with audible dialogue, Bhakta Prahlada , was directed by H. M. Reddy . Bhakta Prahlada was shot over 18 or 20 days at Imperial Studios, Bombay and was produced by Ardeshir Irani who also produced Alam Ara , India's first sound film . The film had an all-Telugu starcast featuring Sindhoori Krishna Rao as
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#17328516365761248-485: A modern-day setting as opposed to mythological and folklore films. Later, more 'social films' i.e. films based on contemporary life and social issues, were made by filmmakers. Notable among them was Vandemataram (1939), touching on societal problems like the practice of dowry . Telugu films began to focus more on contemporary life, with 29 of the 96 films released between 1937 and 1947 featuring social themes. In 1938, Gudavalli Ramabrahmam has co-produced and directed
1352-458: A mythological drama, in a cameo role and The Raja Saab , a romantic horror-comedy , where he plays the lead role in an ancestral property dispute tale. In 2026, Prabhas will appear in Salaar: Part 2 – Shouryaanga Parvam , the sequel to Salaar ; and Spirit , an anti-hero grindhouse drama directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga . In 2027, he is set to reprise his role as the main protagonist in
1456-405: A new era of comedy in Telugu cinema, where his movies captivated audiences with their blend of humour and social commentary . "Before his movies, comedy was a small part of movies and comedians were sidekicks to the hero or villain. Jandhyala proved that comedy can itself be a full-length subject and achieved a great success in this endeavor." His films are well known as clean entertainers affable to
1560-406: A vital role during this era, with the double act of Relangi and Ramana Reddy becoming immensely popular. Their performances provided comic relief in several films. This era, marked by groundbreaking films, innovative storytelling, and international recognition, remains a golden chapter in the history of Telugu cinema. The Telugu film industry, commonly known as Tollywood, traces its origins to
1664-416: Is a 2005 Indian Telugu -language drama film co-written and directed by Krishna Vamsi . It stars Prabhas in lead role as the titular character, while Asin (in her penultimate Telugu film role) and Charmy Kaur play the female leads. The music was composed by Chakri . The film was released on 25 March 2005 to mixed reviews and became a flop at the box office. However, it won two Nandi Awards . The film
1768-424: Is also an alumnus of Satyanand Film Institute, Visakhapatnam . Prabhas made his debut with the 2002 action drama Eeswar . In 2003, he followed up with Raghavendra , which received mixed reviews while Idlebrain stated that Prabhas is so good in this film that you can watch it only for him, he is the superstar in making, and all he needs is the right director and right break. He attained his breakthrough with
1872-418: Is loosely based on an amalgamation of some old films". Idlebrain stated that "Mirchi is a film that is made to do a commercial hit. Prabhas entertains with Mirchi and director does a decent work. On a whole, Mirchi has all the ingredients of a commercial potboiler". He then made his Hindi cinema debut in 2014 in the special dance number "Punjabi Mast" from the film Action Jackson . In 2015, Prabhas played
1976-462: Is particularly revered for its innovative use of special effects , such as the first illusion of moonlight, showcasing the technical brilliance of the era. Mayabazar remains a classic, inspiring generations of filmmakers and continuing to captivate new audiences. In 2013, CNN-IBN included Mayabazar in its list of "100 greatest Indian films of all time," with the public voting it as the "greatest Indian film of all time." This period also continued
2080-502: Is the first Indian actor ever to be referred to as “ Pan-India ” star. Film journalists and analysts, such as Baradwaj Rangan and Vishal Menon, have labelled him as the first of the kind in Indian cinema. Prabhas is considered as "a flagbearer of introducing the trend of Pan-India films in the nation". Prabhas is referred to in the media and by his fans as the "Rebel Star" and "Darling". He was ranked second in Times' Most Desirable Men for
2184-457: Is the first Indian film depicting the Indian movie world. The film was directed by Y. V. Rao and scripted by Balijepalli Lakshmikantha Kavi , starring V. Nagayya . Rao subsequently made the sequel films Savithri and Sathyabhama (1941–42) casting thespian Sthanam Narasimha Rao . The outbreak of World War II and the subsequent resource scarcity caused the British Raj to impose a limit on
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#17328516365762288-668: The Erasing Borders Festival of Classical Dance, Indo-American Arts Council , New York, 2013. Experimental film Parampara has garnered the Platinum Award for Best Feature at the International Indonesian Movie Awards. 2018 biographical film Mahanati based on the life of veteran actress Savitri has garnered the "Equality in Cinema Award" at the 2018 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne . During
2392-546: The Raja of Challapalli , who produced Rojulu Marayi, acquired land in Hyderabad in March 1956 to set up a studio. In 1959, Maa Inti Mahalakshmi , the first Telugu film entirely filmed in Hyderabad, was released. Akkineni Nageswara Rao was one of the first prominent figures to move his film business entirely to Hyderabad, encouraging others to do the same and playing a crucial role in
2496-509: The Telugu language , widely spoken in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana . Based in Film Nagar , Hyderabad , Telugu cinema has become the largest film industry in India by box-office revenue as of 2021. Telugu films sold 23.3 crore (233 million) tickets in 2022, the highest among all Indian film industries. As of 2023, Andhra Pradesh has the highest number of movie screens in India. Since 1909, filmmaker Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu
2600-551: The United States . Speaking about the centenary of Indian cinema at the CII Media and Entertainment Summit 2012, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur said regional cinema is surpassing Hindi cinema in content and story, and cited Eega (2012) as an example. Kapur said he was impressed with its story and use of technology, and called it, "no less than a Hollywood superhero film". Shah Rukh Khan called Eega an "awesomely original" film and
2704-618: The comedy thriller , Chantabbai , the vigilante thriller , Kondaveeti Donga the first Telugu film to be released on a 70 mm 6-Track Stereophonic sound , the western thriller Kodama Simham , and the action thriller , Gang Leader , popularised genre films with the highest estimated footfall. He received the Padma Vibhushan , the second-highest civilian award, in 2024. Sekhar Kammula debuted with his National Award -winning film, Dollar Dreams (2000) featuring dialogue in both Telugu and English. Dollar Dreams explored
2808-430: The highest-grossing film in India till date. Prabhas dedicated 5 years for the duology, stating that the project demanded a certain level of dedication and refrained from signing any other project over the tenure. He underwent rigorous training to prepare for his dual role in the film. For the character of Shivudu, he reduced his weight to a lean 86-88 kilograms with a minimal body fat percentage of 5-6%. Conversely, for
2912-687: The social problem film , Mala Pilla starring Kanchanamala . The film dealt with the crusade against untouchability, prevailing in pre-independent India. In 1939, he directed Raithu Bidda , starring thespian Bellary Raghava . The film was banned by the British administration in the region, for depicting the uprise of the peasantry among the Zamindar 's during the British raj . The success of these films gave an impetus to Y. V. Rao , B. N. Reddy and others to produce films on social themes. Viswa Mohini (1940)
3016-507: The "first legit Pan-Indian Superstar" in Indian cinema. Actors like Prabhas , Allu Arjun , Ram Charan and N. T. Rama Rao Jr. enjoy a nationwide popularity among the audiences after the release of their respective Pan-Indian films. RRR propelled Telugu cinema into the mainstream outside India, fuelling the growth of Pan-India movies. It received universal critical acclaim for its direction, screenwriting, cast performances, cinematography, soundtrack, action sequences and VFX . The film
3120-542: The 1950s, largely influenced by the formation of Andhra Pradesh in 1956. Sarathi Studios was established in Hyderabad in 1956, marking the beginning of this transition. It was the first film studio facility in Hyderabad. Before this, Hyderabad was primarily known for Hindi film releases. The success of Rojulu Marayi (1955), which ran for 100 days in Hyderabad, prompted the then Revenue Minister of Andhra Pradesh, K. V. Ranga Reddy to urge Telugu filmmakers to relocate to Hyderabad. In response, Yarlagadda Sivarama Prasad ,
3224-647: The 1990s, the Rayalaseema dialect was portrayed in films about the factional conflicts in the area, while the Telangana dialect, already having been pegged to villainous and comedic roles, saw an increase in this usage in reaction to the shift of the Telugu film production from Madras to Hyderabad. After the formation of the state of Telangana in 2014, Telangana culture gained more prominence, and more films were produced portraying Telangana culture, and dialect. Screenwriters such as Chandra Sekhar Yeleti experimented with
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3328-561: The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) to help all those who have been affected due to the heavy rainfall in several parts of the state. In 2023, he donated a sum of ₹ 10 lakh (US$ 12,000) for the development of Sri Seetha Ramachandra Swamy Devathanam at Bhadrachalam . In 2024, he donated a sum of ₹ 35 lakh (US$ 42,000) to the Telugu Film Directors Association (TFDA) to support
3432-559: The Chief Minister Relief Funds of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana . He adopted 1,650 acres of Khazipally Reserve Forest near Hyderabad and donated ₹ 2 crore (US$ 240,000) for the development of the eco-park in the name of his late father Uppalapati Surya Narayana Raju, in 2020. He also donated a total of ₹ 8 lakh (US$ 9,600) to the Lions Club of Hyderabad Sadhuram Eye Hospital. In 2021, he donated ₹ 1 crore (US$ 120,000) to
3536-514: The Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu. The Statesman described the film as a "timeless classic". The review site GreatAndhra rated the film with three stars and noted "The film comes across as a clean, family entertainer and the intention of the makers must be appreciated. In 2024, the film was re-released in Japan , garnering unanimous positive responses from the fans and the audiences alike, with every show selling out. In 2012, Prabhas starred in
3640-514: The Hindi version was commercially successful. In 2022, Prabhas appeared in the period romance drama Radhe Shyam which received poor reviews from critics & proved to be a box office bomb . In 2023, Prabhas portrayed Lord Ram in the mythological action film Adipurush , an adaptation of Hindu epic the Ramayana . It received highly negative response from critics as well as the audience, who criticised
3744-641: The Royal Reel Award at the Canada International Film Festival . 2013 Social problem film , Naa Bangaaru Talli won Best Film award at the Detroit Trinity International Film Festival. Minugurulu (2014) about blind children received Best Indian Film at the "9th India International Children's Film Festival Bangalore ". 2013 Cultural film, O Friend, This Waiting! has received special mention at
3848-468: The Special Jury Award (Feature Film - Director) at the 46th National Film Awards . K. Raghavendra Rao explored devotional themes with Agni Putrudu (1987), Annamayya (1997), Sri Ramadasu (2006), Shirdi Sai (2012) and Om Namo Venkatesaya (2017) receiving various state honours. Singeetam Srinivasa Rao introduced science fiction to the Telugu screen with Aditya 369 (1991),
3952-475: The Telugu film industry produces over 300 films annually, contributing significantly to the region's economy and maintaining a prominent position in Indian cinema. The Prasads IMAX located in Hyderabad is one of the largest 3D IMAX screens, and the most attended cinema screen in the world. As per the CBFC report of 2014, the industry is placed first in India, in terms of films produced yearly. The industry holds
4056-449: The Telugu film industry to relocate from Madras to the new state capital, Hyderabad . Despite these calls, the industry remained in Madras, where studios were already established and actors and technicians were settled. One early response to the call for relocation was the establishment of Sarathi Studios in Hyderabad in 1956, although it initially struggled to attract filmmakers. Over time,
4160-564: The action Rebel , received mixed reviews from critics and underperformed at the box office. It was praised for cast performances, action sequences, and production values, but criticised for its plot and screenplay. The Times of India and NDTV stated that, the film serves up fare for the mass audience, and hard-core Prabhas fans. He also rendered his voice for a short duration in the film Denikaina Ready (2012). In 2013, Prabhas starred in Mirchi , which opened to positive reviews and went on to be
4264-629: The action romance Varsham (2004), which went on to be a blockbuster and one of the highest grossing Telugu films of the year. He received his first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu . He appeared in Adavi Raamudu (2004), the same year which received mostly negative reception from the critics and audience alike. In 2005, he appeared in Chakram , which received mixed reviews and went on to win two Nandi Awards . Prabhas portrayed
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4368-454: The action thriller Billa (2009) , which went on to be a blockbuster at box-office. Later that year, he starred in Ek Niranjan (2009) , which opened to mixed reviews, and earned him his third nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu. In 2010, he appeared in the romantic comedy Darling which received positive reviews from audiences and critics. It went on to be one of
4472-438: The best off-beat films of the year by various international juries. Paul Nicodemus of The Times of India cited Prashanth Varma 's super-hero film Hanu Man for merging elements of mythology with contemporary action, and offering a unique viewing experience in Indian cinema. Pan-Indian film is a term related to Indian cinema that originated with Telugu cinema as a mainstream commercial cinema appealing to audiences across
4576-497: The box office. In addition to mythological and social films, the period was marked by an increasing influence of world cinema and Bengali literature on Telugu filmmakers. The International Film Festival of India , initiated in 1952, exposed Indian filmmakers to global cinema, inspiring them to experiment with new storytelling techniques. Devadasu (1953), an adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay 's 1917 Bengali novel Devdas , transformed Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR) from
4680-399: The cast's performances. In 2007, he starred in action drama Yogi and Munna , both of which received lukewarm response from both audience and fans alike. In 2008, Prabhas collaborated with the director Puri Jagannadh for action-comedy Bujjigadu which gave him a much needed box-office comeback and he received critical acclaim for his performance. In 2009, Prabhas played a dual role in
4784-502: The conflict between American dreams and human feelings. The film re-introduced social realism to Telugu screen, and brought back its lost glory which until then was stuck in its run-of-the-mill commercial pot-boilers. Vanaja (2006) won several international awards including the first prize in the live-action feature film category at the Chicago International Children's Film Festival . Dream (2012), has garnered
4888-547: The country with a spread to world markets. S. S. Rajamouli pioneered the pan-Indian films movement with duology of epic action films Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017), that changed the face of Indian cinema. "Pan-India film" is both a style of cinema and a distribution strategy, designed to universally appeal to audiences across the country and simultaneously released in multiple languages. Film journalists and analysts, such as Baradwaj Rangan and Vishal Menon, have labelled Prabhas as
4992-463: The decade include Mayabazar (1957), Panduranga Mahatyam (1957), Suvarna Sundari (1957), Bhookailas (1958), Jayabheri (1959), Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam (1960), and Raja Makutam (1960). Among these, K. V. Reddy's Mayabazar stands as a landmark in Indian cinema, blending myth, fantasy, romance, and humour in a timeless narrative. The film excelled in various departments, including production design, music, and cinematography. It
5096-574: The early 1990s, Hyderabad had become the central hub for Telugu cinema, further strengthened by the development of large film studios like Ramoji Film City , a 1,600-acre integrated film studio complex, which holds the Guinness World Record as the largest film production facility in the world. In 2006, 245 Telugu films were produced, the highest in India. The influence of Telugu cinema extended beyond regional boundaries, with many successful films being remade in other Indian languages. As of 2022,
5200-778: The early 20th century in Madras (now Chennai), which was the capital of the Madras Presidency , a region that included Andhra. Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu , often regarded as the father of the Telugu film industry, was a pioneering figure who established Star of the East Films and the Glass Studio. The industry initially flourished in Madras, with major studios such as Vauhini Studios , founded by Moola Narayana Swamy and B. N. Reddy in 1948, and Prasad Studios, established by L. V. Prasad in 1956. The shift from Madras to Hyderabad began in
5304-426: The epic dystopian sci-fi Kalki 2898 AD - Part 2 , re-portraying dual roles; and Fauji , a patriotic action-drama film directed by Hanu Raghavapudi . Prabhas has also entered into a three-film agreement with Hombale Films , the production company responsible for notable successes such as KGF , Kantara and Salaar . The partnership will commence with Salaar: Part 2 – Shouryaanga Parvam in 2026, with
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#17328516365765408-459: The family audiences without any obscene language or double entendre . Aha Naa Pellanta! is considered one of the best comedy films in Telugu cinema. Ram Gopal Varma 's Siva , which attained cult status in Telugu cinema, is one of the first Telugu films produced after the migration of Telugu film industry from Madras to Hyderabad to feature characters speaking the Telangana dialect. Varma
5512-479: The film dealt with exploratory dystopian and apocalyptic themes. The edge of the seat thriller had characters which stayed human, inconsistent and insecure. The film's narrative takes the audience into the post apocalyptic experience through time travel, as well as folklore generation of 1500 CE, which including a romantic backstory, the "Time Machine" made it a brilliant work of fiction. Jandhyala popularly known as "Hasya Brahma" ( Brahma of comedy), ushered
5616-484: The film song. Playback singers like Ghantasala, Rao Balasaraswathi Devi , P. Leela , Jikki , P. B. Srinivas and P. Suseela emerged as prominent voices, defining the musical landscape of the era. This period also saw the rise of notable dance choreographers like Pasumarthi Krishnamurthy and Vempati Peda Satyam, who enhanced the artistic quality of Telugu cinema. The 1950s also saw the formation of Andhra State in 1953 and Andhra Pradesh in 1956 leading to calls for
5720-721: The film was also showcased in the United States . Nartanasala (1963) won three awards at the third Afro-Asian Film Festival in Jakarta . K. V. Reddy's Donga Ramudu (1955) was archived in the curriculum of the Film and Television Institute of India , and Nammina Bantu (1960) received critical acclaim at the San Sebastián International Film Festival . Films like Ummadi Kutumbam (1967), Sudigundalu (1968), and Bapu 's Sakshi (1967) were showcased at various international film festivals, highlighting
5824-630: The film's screenplay and visuals, and turned out to be another box-office bomb for the actor. Adipurush opened to ₹140 crore worldwide on its opening day, making it Prabhas's third ₹100 crore opening day grosser. Prabhas went on to star in Prashanth Neel 's action drama Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire (2023), the same year. The film opened to positive reviews and grossed ₹176 crore worldwide on its opening day, making it Prabhas's fourth ₹100 crore opening day grosser. The film eventually grossed over ₹ 705 crore (US$ 84 million) worldwide and proved to be
5928-611: The first Telugu film exhibitor and producer, Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu is regarded as the 'Father of Telugu cinema'. From 1921 to 1931 about a dozen feature films were made by Telugu people . C. Pullayya made a three- reel short film, Markandeya (1926 or 1931) at his house in Kakinada . In 1921, the first cinema hall in Andhra , Maruthi Cinema was established in Vijayawada by Pothina Srinivasa Rao. Y. V. Rao and R. S. Prakash established
6032-465: The first ever permanent cinema theatre in Madras and all of South India . He later constructed the Crown Theatre and Globe Theatre. In his theatres, he screened American and European films as well as silent films made in various parts of India. In 1919, he started a film production company called 'Star of the East Films' also called 'Glass Studio', the first production company established by
6136-593: The first female producer of Telugu film industry. The first film studio in Andhra , Durga Cinetone, was built in 1936 by Nidamarthi Surayya in Rajahmundry . Sampurna Ramayanam (1936) was the first film produced by the studio relying mostly on local talent. In 1937, another studio called Andhra Cinetone was built in Visakhapatnam . However, both the studios were short-lived. Early Telugu silent films and talkies were deeply influenced by stage performances, continuing
6240-495: The first “ Pan-Indian " star, receiving significant following across India. In 2019, Prabhas starred in Sujeeth 's action thriller Saaho . Saaho opened to mixed reviews and grossed ₹130 crore worldwide on its opening day, making it Prabhas's second ₹100 crore opening day grosser. The film eventually grossed over ₹ 419 crore (US$ 50 million) at the box-office. The Telugu version of the film became an above average grosser, while
6344-504: The formation of Andhra Pradesh opened new markets for Telugu films in the Telangana region, laying the groundwork for the industry's eventual expansion into Hyderabad. During this golden era, several Telugu films received international recognition. Malliswari (1951), a historical romance film directed by B. N. Reddy , was screened at the 1952 Peking film festival, making it the first Telugu film to be screened in China . A 16 mm print of
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#17328516365766448-456: The global reach of Telugu cinema. Vijaya Productions, led by Nagi Reddi and Chakrapani , became the most successful production company of the era. Their collaborative approach brought together some of the best talents in the industry, resulting in a string of hits that defined the golden age of Telugu cinema. Vijaya Productions operated like a Hollywood studio , with staff hired on monthly salaries, and working regular hours. Comedy also played
6552-438: The highest grossers of the year and critics lauded Prabhas's performance, as the major highlight of the film. The Times of India noted the film to be derivative and that the director hasn't really come out of his previous work Tholi Prema . In 2011, Prabhas starred in romantic drama Mr. Perfect , which received positive reviews and went on to be a blockbuster. His performance in the film earned him his fourth nomination for
6656-597: The industry's relocation. He insisted on working in films produced in Andhra Pradesh, except for those made at Vauhini and Venus Studios in Madras. In 1976, the Andhra Pradesh government allocated 22 acres of land in Banjara Hills , Hyderabad, to Akkineni Nageswara Rao for the establishment of a film studio. This led to the founding of Annapurna Studios in 1976. By the 1970s and 1980s, most production houses had moved to Andhra Pradesh or opened branch offices there. By
6760-456: The largest film schools in India. The Telugu states consist of approximately 2800 theatres, the largest number of cinema halls of any state in India. Being commercially consistent, Telugu cinema had its influence over commercial cinema in India. The 1992 film Gharana Mogudu is the first Telugu film to gross over ₹ 10 crore at the box office. Produced on a shoestring budget of ₹ 1.2 crore, 2000 film Nuvve Kavali became sleeper hit of
6864-569: The late 1940s and 1950s. These studios played a crucial role in the development of Telugu cinema, contributing to the production of over 300 films between 1950 and 1960. Many Telugu-Tamil bilinguals were made during this period. During this era, the Telugu film industry became one of the largest producers of folklore , fantasy , and mythological films. Directors like K. V. Reddy and B. Vittalacharya pioneered these genres, creating films that captivated audiences with their imaginative storytelling. As demand for films grew, filmmakers recognised
6968-859: The late 1940s and early 1950s, many members of the Praja Natya Mandali and Abhyudaya Rachayithala Sangham, both affiliated with the Communist Party, transitioned into the film industry, bringing with them progressive ideas that subtly influenced the industry, though they eventually adapted to the commercial demands of mainstream cinema. During the 1950s and 1960s, Telugu film songs entered a golden era marked by exceptional lyricism, orchestration, and technological advancements. Prominent lyricists like Samudrala Sr. , Pingali Nagendra Rao , Devulapalli Krishna Sastry , and Kosaraju Raghavayya , alongside composers like Saluri Rajeswara Rao , Ghantasala , T. V. Raju , Pendyala , and Master Venu , set new standards for
7072-570: The late 1990s. It was screened for 200 days in 20 screens grossing over ₹ 20 crore . Dasari Narayana Rao directed the most number of films in the Telugu language, exploring themes such as aesthestics in Meghasandesam (1982), Battle of Bobbili in the biographical war film Tandra Paparayudu (1986), alternate history with Sardar Papa Rayudu (1980), and gender discrimination in Kante Koothurne Kanu (1998) for which he received
7176-407: The lattermost. He went on to play a dual role in the epic action duology Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017), with the latter emerging as the highest-grossing Indian film at that point, establishing Prabhas as the first pan-Indian star. After a brief period of decline, he made a career comeback with the action drama Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire (2023) and
7280-542: The lead actors, which bought a rather fictional storyline a sense of authenticity at a time when the industry was being filled with unnecessary commercial fillers. It went on to gather a cult following in south India, with a dubbed Hindi version titled Hairaan released to positive reports from Bollywood critics, the Ann Arbor Film Festival , and the Fribourg Festival . Chiranjeevi 's works such as
7384-527: The mysterious altercation between PNS Ghazi and INS Karanj during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 . Indo-Asian News Service called new-generation film maker Sandeep Vanga 's Arjun Reddy the "most original, experimental work to come out of Telugu cinema in a long time", and said the protagonist's (played by Vijay Deverakonda ) "rise, fall and rise ... is nothing short of poetic and heart wrenching". Actor-dancer Allu Arjun produced and acted in
7488-564: The mythological Sri Seeta Rama Jananam (1944) under his home production, Prathiba Picture, marking Akkineni Nageswara Rao 's debut in a lead role. The 1950s and 1960s are often regarded as the golden age of Telugu cinema. This era witnessed significant advances in production quality, the establishment of iconic studios, and the rise of influential filmmakers who shaped the industry. Prominent production houses such as Vijaya Productions , Vauhini Studios , Bharani Pictures , Prasad Art Pictures , and Annapurna Pictures were established during
7592-503: The nationwide popularity of Telugu actors. Baahubali 2 (2017) won the Saturn Award for Best International Film , while RRR (2022) became the first Indian feature film to win an Academy Award and received various international accolades, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for the song " Naatu Naatu " and a Critics' Choice Award for Best Foreign Language Film . From its inception, Telugu cinema has been renowned as
7696-739: The off beat film Aithe (2003) with a caption "all movies are not the same". Aithe was made on a shoestring budget of about 1.5 crores and went on to collect more than 6 crores. After almost two years he delivered another thriller Anukokunda Oka Roju (2005) both films were a refreshing change of pace to the audiences, produced by Gangaraju Gunnam . Aithe was remade in Tamil as Naam (2003) and in Malayalam as Wanted (2004). Mohana Krishna Indraganti explored themes of chastity and adultery in his 2004 literary adaptation Grahanam , based on Dosha Gunam written by social critic G. V. Chalam . The film
7800-422: The people solving their problems and to smile again. Seeing all this, another girl who is also named Lakshmi ( Charmy ) slowly falls in love with Chakram. Chakram left because he found out that he has blood cancer and will die soon. The music was composed by Chakri . A critic from Rediff.com opined that "despite spending lavishly, a wafer-thin plot ensures a loser". Jeevi of Idlebrain.com said that "On
7904-519: The potential to remake earlier productions with enhanced cinematic techniques. Many mythological films originally made in the early talkie era, which featured actors from drama troupes and were limited by the technical constraints of the time, were reimagined in this era with improved technologies. Pathala Bhairavi (1951) emerged as the most successful folklore film of the decade and turned its lead actors, N. T. Rama Rao and S. V. Ranga Rao , into stars. Other notable mythological and folklore films from
8008-440: The preeminent centre of Hindu mythological films in India. Today, it is also recognised for its advanced technical crafts, particularly in visual effects and cinematography , making it one of the most sophisticated in Indian cinema. Telugu cinema has produced some of India's most expensive and highest-grossing films , including Baahubali 2 (2017), which holds the record as the highest-grossing film of all time in India. Over
8112-464: The producer nor the director of these two films were Telugus. In 1933, Sati Savitri directed by C. Pullayya received an honorary diploma at the 2nd Venice Film Festival . In the same year, Pruthvi Putra , based on the story of Narakasura was released. It starred Kalyanam Raghuramayya and was produced by Pothina Srinivasa Rao, who had previously built the first cinema hall in Andhra in 1921. This
8216-449: The rise of star-driven commercial films, technological advancements, and the development of major studios like Ramoji Film City , which holds the Guinness World Record as the largest film studio complex in the world. The 2010s marked a new era for Telugu cinema as a pioneer of the pan-Indian film movement, expanding its reach across India and globally. This established the industry as a major force in Indian and world cinema and boosted
8320-514: The role of Baahubali, he significantly had to increase his weight to a bulky 105 kilograms with a body fat composition of 8-10%. He won the SIIMA Award for Best Actor – Telugu for his performance in The Conclusion. His performance in both film earned him his sixth and seventh nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu. The success of Baahubali series propelled Prabhas to become
8424-486: The role of a refugee, exploited by goons, in S. S. Rajamouli 's action drama Chatrapathi , the same year. It emerged as a blockbuster and had a 100-day run in 54 centers. Idlebrain.com stated that "he had a unique style and macho charm in his screen presence". Chatrapathi earned him his second nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu. In 2006, Prabhas starred in the musical drama Pournami , which garnered mixed critical reception but earned praise for
8528-404: The science fiction film Kalki 2898 AD (2024). Prabhas is the only Indian actor to have six films with a worldwide gross opening of over ₹ 100 crore . He is also the only South Indian actor with six films that have crossed the ₹ 100 crore nett mark in the Hindi market. Additionally, Prabhas is the first South Indian actor to receive a wax sculpture at a Madame Tussaud's museum. Prabhas
8632-406: The second highest-grossing Indian film at that point. It is one of the highest-grossing Indian film to date. It received national and international acclaim, and started a new film movement called Pan-Indian films . Prabhas reprised his role in its sequel, Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017), with a budget of ₹250 crore ($ 36.87 million), it was the most expensive Indian film ever produced at
8736-494: The short film, I Am That Change (2014), to spread awareness on individual social responsibility. The movie was directed by Sukumar , which was screened in theatres across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on Indian Independence day, 2014. Adivi Sesh scripted the Neo-noir Kshanam (2016), based on a real life incident of a missing three-year-old girl. Sesh followed it up writing R.A.W. thriller Goodachari (2018), and
8840-629: The subsequent films tentatively scheduled for release in 2027 and 2028. Prabhas has been vocal of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and featured in promotional campaigns such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ mission. In 2020, Prabhas donated ₹ 4 crore (US$ 480,000) for the cause of combating against the COVID-19 pandemic . Of this, ₹3 crore was given to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund , while ₹50 lakh each went to
8944-454: The time of release. It became the first Indian film ever to gross over ₹1,000 crore (US$ 120 million) worldwide in just ten days, first Indian film to gross ₹ 100 crore (US$ 12 million) and ₹ 200 crore (US$ 24 million) on its opening day, and highest-grossing Indian film at that point. The film eventually grossed over ₹ 1,810 crore (US$ 220 million) worldwide, making it second-highest-grossing Indian film worldwide to date and
9048-469: The titular Prahlada , Munipalle Subbayya as Hiranyakasyapa , and Surabhi Kamalabai as Leelavathy. Bhakta Prahlada was completed on 15 September 1931, which henceforth became known as "Telugu Film Day" to commemorate its completion. Popularly known as talkies , films with sound quickly grew in number and popularity. In 1932, Sagar Movietone produced Sri Rama Paduka Pattabhishekam and Sakunthala , both directed by Sarvottam Badami . Neither
9152-423: The traditions of theatre onto the screen. These films often retained the same scripts, dialogues, and background settings as their stage counterparts. By 1936, the mass appeal of film allowed directors to move away from religious and mythological themes. That year, under the direction of Kruthiventi Nageswara Rao, Prema Vijayam , a film with a contemporary setting, was released. It was the first Telugu film with
9256-442: The trend of social films, which began in the late 1930s, focusing on contemporary issues and everyday life rather than mythology and fantasy. Notable social films from the decade included Pelli Chesi Choodu (1952), Puttillu (1953), Devadasu (1953), Pedda Manushulu (1954), Missamma (1955), Ardhangi (1955), Rojulu Marayi (1955), Donga Ramudu (1955), and Thodi Kodallu (1957), many of which performed well at
9360-501: 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, before the ban, an important shift occurred in the industry: Independent studios formed, actors and actresses were signed to contracts limiting whom they could work for, and films moved from social themes to folklore legends. Ghantasala Balaramayya , has directed
9464-488: The war docudrama Major (2022). Cinema Bandi (2022) scripted and directed by Praveen Kandregula, and produced by film making duo Raj and D. K. ; explored the theme of how a lost camera fuels dreams in a Telugu hamlet, winning the Jury Special Mention at the 53rd IFFI . Venu Yeldandi explored slice of life story from rural Telangana with Balagam (2023) hitting the right chords to be considered one of
9568-469: The welfare of the cinema worker's body. Prabhas donated a sum of ₹ 2 crore (US$ 240,000) to the Kerala Chief Minister's Relief Fund, to help the victims of the 2024 Wayanad landslides . Prabhas donated a sum of ₹ 2 crore (US$ 240,000) to aid flood relief efforts in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with ₹1 crore (US$ 120,000) each allocated to the Chief Minister Relief Funds of both states. Prabhas
9672-684: The year 2017, and twelfth in 2018. He was then added to the Forever Desirable list of Hyderabad Times in 2019. He was the most searched actor on Google in Karnataka, for the year 2019. He is the only actor from South Indian cinema to feature in the magazine Eastern Eye 's 2019 listing of the 10 Sexiest Asian Men. He was also featured in the GQ in their listing of the most influential young Indians of 2017. Prabhas, generally does not endorse brands or appear in advertisements. However, in 2015, he
9776-497: The years, Telugu filmmakers have also ventured into parallel and arthouse cinema. Films like Daasi (1988), Thilaadanam (2000), and Vanaja (2006), among others, received acclaim at major international film festivals such as Venice , Berlin , Karlovy Vary , Moscow , and Busan . Additionally, ten Telugu films have been featured in CNN-IBN 's list of the "100 Greatest Indian Films of All Time." Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu
9880-597: Was a photographer and photographic studio owner in Madras who was drawn into filmmaking . Since 1909, he was involved in producing short films . He shot 12 three-minute-long short films and exhibited them in Victoria Public Hall , Madras . He also travelled to Bangalore , Vijayawada , Sri Lanka , Rangoon and Pegu to exhibit his films. In c. 1909-10 , he established a tent house called Esplanade in Madras to exhibit his films. In c. 1912-14 , he established Gaiety Theatre on Mount Road ,
9984-704: Was born on 23 October 1979 in a Telugu family to film producer Uppalapati Surya Narayana Raju and Siva Kumari in Madras (now Chennai). The youngest of three children, he has an elder brother, Prabodh, and elder sister, Pragathi. He is the nephew of Telugu film actor Krishnam Raju . His family hails from Mogalthur , near Bhimavaram of West Godavari district , Andhra Pradesh . Prabhas did his schooling at Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School , Chennai, and at DNR High School, Bhimavaram. He then completed his intermediate education from Nalanda College, Hyderabad . He later went on to pursue Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) from Sri Chaitanya College, Hyderabad. He
10088-646: Was considered one of the ten best films of the year by the National Board of Review , making it only the seventh non-English language film ever to make it to the list. The song " Naatu Naatu " won the Oscar for Best Original Song at the 95th Academy Awards , making it the first song from an Indian film, as well as the first from an Asian film, to win in this category. This made the film the first Indian film by an Indian production to win an Academy Award. Chakram (2005 film) Chakram ( transl. Wheel )
10192-520: Was credited with the introduction of steadicams and new sound recording techniques in Telugu films. Within a year of the film's release, more than ten steadicams were imported into India. Siva attracted the young audience during its theatrical run, and its success encouraged filmmakers to explore a variety of themes and make experimental Telugu films. Subsequently, Varma introduced road movie and film-noir to Indian screen with Kshana Kshanam . Varma experimented with close-to-life performances by
10296-412: Was directed by H. M. Reddy . The 1950s and 1960s are considered the golden age of Telugu cinema, featuring enhanced production quality, influential filmmakers, and notable studios, resulting in a variety of films that were both popular and critically acclaimed. The industry, initially based in Madras , began shifting to Hyderabad in the 1970s, completing the transition by the 1990s. This period also saw
10400-590: Was dubbed in Bhojpuri under the same name and in Malayalam as Dharma Chakram . Chakram ( Prabhas ) is a foreign returnee who has a dream of building a hospital at Pulivendula . He is in love with his colleague and cousin Lakshmi ( Asin ), who studied medicine with him abroad. For an unknown reason, he runs away from his marriage hall. He then moves to Hyderabad and stays in a place called "Sahara Colony". There, he helps all
10504-501: Was involved in producing short films and exhibiting them in different regions of South Asia. He established the first Indian-owned cinema halls in South India . In 1921, he produced the silent film , Bhishma Pratigna , generally considered to be the first Telugu feature film . As the first Telugu film producer and exhibitor, Naidu is regarded as the 'Father of Telugu cinema'. The first Telugu talkie film , Bhakta Prahlada (1932)
10608-487: Was shot with a digital camera on a modest budget of approximately ₹ 8 lakh, with artists and technicians reportedly working without any remuneration. B. Anuradha of Rediff.com noted, "In this offbeat film, Indraganti upholds the tirade against chauvinists who accuse a noble lady of infidelity, ignoring her denials with contempt". The film was featured at the Independent South Asian Film Festival in
10712-416: Was signed on by Mahindra & Mahindra as brand ambassador for the new Mahindra TUV300 car, making his debut in the television commercial arena. News 18 reported that he rejected brand endorsements worth ₹ 150 crore (US$ 18 million) in 2020. Telugu cinema Telugu cinema , also known as Tollywood , is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in
10816-409: Was the first Telugu talkie entirely financed by Telugu people. In 1934, the industry saw its first major commercial success with Lava Kusa . Directed by C. Pullayya and starring Parupalli Subbarao and Sriranjani , the film attracted unprecedented numbers of viewers to theatres and thrust the young industry into mainstream culture. Dasari Kotiratnam produced Sati Anasuya in 1935 and became
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