131-570: 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 . 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,
262-542: A Critics' Choice Award for Best Foreign Language Film . From its inception, Telugu cinema has been renowned as 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
393-501: A communist inclination, began to take shape through the 1940s and the 1950s. IPTA plays, such as Nabanna (1944), prepared the ground for realism in Indian cinema, exemplified by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas 's Dharti Ke Lal ( Children of the Earth , 1946). The IPTA movement continued to emphasise realism in films Mother India (1957) and Pyaasa (1957), among India's most recognisable cinematic productions. Following independence,
524-724: 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
655-478: A photographic studio and began experimenting with various techniques. Around the same time, silent films were gaining popularity, and Naidu started studying the filmmaking process, marking the beginning of his exploration into cinema. During this time, Naidu came across an advertisement for a new device called the Chrono Megaphone , which projected sound waves during silent film screenings, enhancing
786-521: 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
917-716: A camera with him and started Star of the East Films in 1919. Their first production was Meenakshi Kalyanam , filmed near the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai . However, technical issues with the camera ruined the footage, forcing them to abandon the project. They later imported another camera and successfully produced Bhishma Pratigna (1921), the first Telugu silent film, while his son directed. Following this, they produced four more films: Gajendra Moksham , Bhakta Nandanar , Samudra Mathanam , and Matsyavataram . Due to
1048-415: A film production company called 'Star of the East Films' also called 'Glass Studio', the first production company established by 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
1179-459: 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
1310-485: A gold Nandi and a cash prize of ₹50,000. It is presented annually during the Nandi Awards ceremony. The first recipient of this honour was L. V. Prasad , followed by luminaries such as P. Pullayya , Bhanumathi , Nagi Reddy , and Akkineni Nageswara Rao . In 2016, the award was presented to Chiranjeevi . In a controversial move, the government removed the word "Naidu" from the award's name, renaming it as simply
1441-426: A lead actor was solidified by crime-action films Zanjeer and Sholay (1975). The devotional classic Jai Santoshi Ma (1975) was made on a low budget and became a box office success and a cult classic. Another important film was Deewaar (1975, Yash Chopra ), a crime film with brothers on opposite sides of the law which Danny Boyle described as "absolutely key to Indian cinema". The term " Bollywood "
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#17328025372231572-483: 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
1703-405: 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
1834-647: A number of years, the Indian film industry has ranked first in the world in terms of annual film output. In 2022, Indian cinema earned ₹ 15,000 crore ($ 1.9 billion) at the box-office. Ramoji Film City located in Hyderabad is certified by the Guinness World Records as the largest film studio complex in the world measuring over 1,666 acres (674 ha ). Indian cinema is composed of multilingual and multi-ethnic film art. The term ' Bollywood ', often mistakenly used to refer to Indian cinema as
1965-412: A poll conducted by CNN-IBN among those 100 films, Mayabazar was voted by the public as the "Greatest Indian film of all time". K. Viswanath , one of the prominent auteurs of Indian cinema, he received international recognition for his works, and is known for blending parallel cinema with mainstream cinema. His works such as Sankarabharanam (1980) about revitalisation of Indian classical music won
2096-563: A stage play by Mylavaram Bala Bharathi Samajam. The film received an honorary diploma at the 2nd Venice International Film Festival . Chittoor Nagayya was one of the first multilingual filmmakers in India. Jumai Shasthi was the first Bengali short film as a talkie . Jyoti Prasad Agarwala made his first film Joymoti (1935) in Assamese, and later made Indramalati . The first film studio in South India, Durga Cinetone,
2227-524: A tent house called Esplanade in Madras to exhibit his films. In c. 1912-14 , he established Gaiety Theatre on Mount Road , 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
2358-475: A truthful King and its success led many to consider him a pioneer of Indian cinema. Phalke used an all Indian crew including actors Anna Salunke and D. D. Dabke . He directed, edited, processed the film himself. Phalke saw The Life of Christ (1906) by the French director Alice Guy-Blaché , While watching Jesus on the screen, Phalke envisioned Hindu deities Rama and Krishna instead and decided to start in
2489-405: 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
2620-657: A whole, is only the Hindi-language segment, with Indian cinema being an umbrella term that includes various film industries, each offering films in diverse languages and styles. In 2021, Telugu cinema emerged as the largest film industry in India in terms of box office. In 2022, Hindi cinema represented 33% of box office revenue, followed by Telugu representing 20%, Tamil representing 16%, Kannada representing 8%, and Malayalam representing 6%. Other prominent film industries are Marathi , Punjabi , Bengali , Gujarati , Bhojpuri , and Odia cinema . As of 2022,
2751-548: A wrestling match at the Hanging Gardens in Bombay, was the first film to be shot by an Indian and the first Indian documentary film. From 1913 to 1931, all the movies made in India were silent films , which had no sound and had intertitles . In 1913, Dadasaheb Phalke released Raja Harishchandra (1913) in Bombay, the first film made in India. It was a silent film incorporating Marathi and English intertitles. It
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#17328025372232882-609: A young age, Venkaiah Naidu developed a passion for painting and sculpture. Noticing Naidus’s keen interest in art, his father sent him to Madras at the age of 18. In Madras, Naidu rented a small house on Mount Road and established an art centre where he honed his skills in painting and sculpture. He created numerous oil paintings and sculptures, which attracted the attention of local royalty and zamindars. These patrons purchased his artworks, providing him with financial support. In addition to his passion for painting and sculpture, Naidu also developed an interest in photography. He established
3013-461: 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
3144-425: Is particularly revered for its use of technology. The use of special effects, innovative for the 1950s, like the first illusion of moonlight, showcased technical brilliance.. Powerful performances and relatable themes ensure Mayabazar stays relevant, a classic enjoyed by new generations. On the centenary of Indian cinema in 2013, CNN-IBN included Mayabazar in its list of "100 greatest Indian films of all time". In
3275-461: 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
3406-488: Is the only Bollywood actor to have starred in a top 10 grossing film each year of her active career (1983–1997). K. V. Reddy 's Mayabazar (1957) is a landmark film in Indian cinema, a classic of Telugu cinema that inspired generations of filmmakers. It blends myth, fantasy, romance and humour in a timeless story, captivating audiences with its fantastical elements. The film excelled in various departments like cast performances, production design, music, cinematography and
3537-489: The 7th Busan ; Rajnesh Domalpalli's Vanaja (2006) won "Best First Feature Award" at the 57th Berlinale . Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu (15 October 1869 – 15 March 1941) was an Indian filmmaker and entrepreneur widely regarded as the father of Telugu cinema . A pioneer of Indian cinema , Naidu established the first Indian-owned movie theatres in South India and founded Star of
3668-629: The British Raj banned Wrath (1930) and Raithu Bidda (1938) for broaching the subject of the Indian independence movement . The Indian Masala film —a term used for mixed-genre films that combined song, dance, romance, etc.—arose following the Second World War. During the 1940s, cinema in South India accounted for nearly half of India's cinema halls, and cinema came to be viewed as an instrument of cultural revival. The Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA), an art movement with
3799-703: 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
3930-542: The Indian Cinematograph Enquiry Committee . The ICC consisted of three British and three Indians, led by T. Rangachari , a Madras lawyer. This committee failed to bolster the desired recommendations of supporting British Film, instead recommending support for the fledgling Indian film industry, and their suggestions were set aside. The first Indian sound film was Alam Ara (1931) made by Ardeshir Irani . Ayodhyecha Raja (1932)
4061-623: The Madras Presidency , as well as in places like Bangalore , Vijayawada , Sri Lanka , Rangoon and Pegu in Burma . In 1910, he established Esplanade Tent House to exhibit his films. In 1912, he constructed Gaiety Theatre on Mount Road, the first Indian-owned cinema theatre in Madras. He later constructed Crown Theatre on Mint Street and Globe Theatre in Purasawakkam , Madras. He also exhibited American and British films. Some of
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4192-507: The Palme d'Or at Cannes and Indian films competed for the award most years in the 1950s and early 1960s. Ray is regarded as one of the greatest auteurs of 20th century cinema , along with his contemporaries Dutt and Ghatak. In 1992, the Sight & Sound Critics' Poll ranked Ray at No. 7 in its list of Top 10 Directors of all time. Multiple films from this era are included among
4323-501: 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
4454-523: 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 the film was also showcased in
4585-767: 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
4716-498: 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
4847-622: 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
4978-480: The greatest films of all time in various critics' and directors' polls, including The Apu Trilogy , Jalsaghar , Charulata Aranyer Din Ratri , Pyaasa , Kaagaz Ke Phool , Meghe Dhaka Tara , Komal Gandhar , Awaara , Baiju Bawra , Mother India , Mughal-e-Azam and Subarnarekha (also tied at No. 11). Sivaji Ganesan became India's first actor to receive an international award when he won
5109-698: 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)
5240-592: The "100 Greatest Indian Films of All Time." Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu 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
5371-534: The "Prize of the Public" at the Besançon Film Festival of France in the year 1981. Forbes included J. V. Somayajulu 's performance in the film on its list of "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema". Swathi Muthyam (1986) was India's official entry to the 59th Academy Awards . Swarna Kamalam (1988) the dance film choreographed by Kelucharan Mohapatra , and Sharon Lowen
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5502-408: The "Ragupathi Venkaiah Award". In 2012, a biographical film on Ragupathi Venkaiah Naidu was produced by Satish Babu, directed by Babji, and starred actors such as Naresh , Tanikella Bharani , and Maharshi Raghava . Despite being completed, the film has not yet been released, which has been viewed as a disservice to Venkaiah’s legacy. Devika , a popular actress in Telugu and Tamil films in
5633-504: 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
5764-442: The 1947 partition of India divided the nation's assets and a number of studios moved to Pakistan. Partition became an enduring film subject thereafter. The Indian government had established a Films Division by 1948, which eventually became one of the world's largest documentary film producers with an annual production of over 200 short documentaries, each released in 18 languages with 9,000 prints for permanent film theatres across
5895-540: 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 ,
6026-506: The 1960s, Indira Gandhi supported the production of off-beat cinema through the FFC. Baburao Patel of Filmindia called B. N. Reddy 's Malliswari (1951) an "inspiring motion picture" which would "save us the blush when compared with the best of motion pictures of the world". Film historian Randor Guy called Malliswari scripted by Devulapalli Krishnasastri a "poem in celluloid, told with rare artistic finesse, which lingers long in
6157-521: The 1970s, completing the transition by the 1990s. This period also saw 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
6288-688: The 1970s. Madhumati (1958, Bimal Roy ) popularised the theme of reincarnation in Western popular culture . Actor Dilip Kumar rose to fame in the 1950s, and was the biggest Indian movie star of the time. He was a pioneer of method acting , predating Hollywood method actors such as Marlon Brando . Much like Brando's influence on New Hollywood actors, Kumar inspired Hindi actors, including Amitabh Bachchan , Naseeruddin Shah , Shah Rukh Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui . Neecha Nagar (1946) won
6419-655: 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
6550-690: The Best Actor award at the Afro-Asian film festival in 1960 and was awarded the title of Chevalier in the Legion of Honour by the French Government in 1995. Tamil cinema is influenced by Dravidian politics , with prominent film personalities C N Annadurai , M G Ramachandran , M Karunanidhi and Jayalalithaa becoming Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu . By 1986, India's annual film output had increased to 833 films annually, making India
6681-678: The Bollywood directors and producers held the rights to their films in Northern India, Salim–Javed retained the rights in South India, where they sold remake rights for films such as Zanjeer , Yaadon Ki Baarat and Don . Several of these remakes became breakthroughs for actor Rajinikanth . Sridevi is widely regarded as the first female superstar of Indian cinema due to her pan-Indian appeal with equally successful careers in Hindi , Tamil , Malayalam , Kannada and Telugu cinema . She
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#17328025372236812-537: The East Films, the first film production company established by a Telugu person. He is credited with producing Bhishma Pratigna (1921), considered the first Telugu feature film , thus laying the foundation for the Telugu film industry. Born into in Machilipatnam , Andhra Pradesh , Naidu was the second son of an Indian Army official and the younger brother of the noted social reformer Raghupathi Venkataratnam Naidu . He moved to Madras (now Chennai) at
6943-506: The Indian film industry , has had a large effect on world cinema since the second half of the 20th century. Indian cinema is made up of various film industries , each producing films in different languages, including Hindi , Telugu , Tamil , Kannada , Malayalam , Marathi , Bengali , Punjabi , Bhojpuri and others. Major centres of film production across the country include Mumbai , Hyderabad , Chennai , Kolkata , Kochi , Bangalore , Bhubaneswar - Cuttack , and Guwahati . For
7074-664: The Indian box office since the 1990s. Shah Rukh Khan was the most successful for most of the 1990s and 2000s, while Aamir Khan has been the most successful since the late 2000s; according to Forbes , Shah Rukh Khan is "arguably the world's biggest movie star" as of 2017, due to his immense popularity in India and China. Other notable Hindi film stars of recent decades include Arjun Rampal , Sunny Deol , Akshay Kumar , Ajay Devgn , Hrithik Roshan , Anil Kapoor , Sanjay Dutt , Sridevi , Madhuri Dixit , Juhi Chawla , Karisma Kapoor , Kajol , Tabu , Aishwarya Rai , Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta . Haider (2014, Vishal Bhardwaj ),
7205-673: 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
7336-474: 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),
7467-472: 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
7598-469: 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, the formation of Andhra Pradesh opened new markets for Telugu films in
7729-744: The age of 18, where he began his career as a commercial photographer. Venturing into filmmaking, he established "The Glass Studio," a cinematograph company named for its glass roof, which allowed sunlight to penetrate in the days before electric lighting. Naidu's entrepreneurial spirit led him to set up the first permanent cinema theatres in Madras, including The Gaiety in 1912, followed by Crown Theatre and Globe Theatre, where he screened American, European, and Indian silent films . Despite facing intense competition from European firms, Naidu persisted, producing and exhibiting short films across South India and Burma . His efforts in promoting cinematic techniques and distributing foreign silent films were instrumental in
7860-435: 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
7991-402: The biggest Bollywood movie star of the period. Another landmark was Amar Akbar Anthony (1977, Manmohan Desai ). Desai further expanded the genre in the 1970s and 1980s. Commercial Hindi cinema grew in the 1980s, with films such as Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981), Disco Dancer (1982), Himmatwala (1983), Tohfa (1984), Naam (1986), Mr India (1987), and Tezaab (1988). In
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#17328025372238122-496: 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
8253-576: The business of "moving pictures". In South India , film pioneer Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu , credited as the father of Telugu cinema , built the first cinemas in Madras (now Chennai ), and a film studio was established in the city by Nataraja Mudaliar. In 1921, Naidu produced the silent film, Bhishma Pratigna , generally considered to be the first Telugu feature film . The first Tamil and Malayalam films , also silent films, were Keechaka Vadham (1917–1918, R. Nataraja Mudaliar ) and Vigathakumaran (1928, J. C. Daniel Nadar ). The latter
8384-744: The combined revenue of South Indian film industries has surpassed that of the Mumbai-based Hindi-language film industry (Bollywood). As of 2022, Telugu cinema leads Indian cinema with 23.3 crore (233 million) tickets sold, followed by Tamil cinema with 20.5 crore (205 million) and Hindi cinema with 18.9 crore (189 million). Indian cinema is a global enterprise, and its films have attracted international attention and acclaim throughout South Asia . Since talkies began in 1931, Hindi cinema has led in terms of box office performance, but in recent years it has faced stiff competition from Telugu cinema. Overseas Indians account for 12% of
8515-512: 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
8646-545: 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
8777-520: The country. The period from the late 1940s to the early 1960s is regarded by film historians as the Golden Age of Indian cinema. This period saw the emergence of the parallel cinema movement, which emphasised social realism . Mainly led by Bengalis, early examples include Dharti Ke Lal (1946, Khwaja Ahmad Abbas ), Neecha Nagar (1946, Chetan Anand ), Nagarik (1952, Ritwik Ghatak ) and Do Bigha Zamin (1953, Bimal Roy), laying
8908-462: 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
9039-460: The early 1970s, Hindi cinema was experiencing thematic stagnation, dominated by musical romance films . Screenwriter duo Salim–Javed ( Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar ) revitalised the industry. They established the genre of gritty, violent, Bombay underworld crime films with Zanjeer (1973) and Deewaar (1975). They reinterpreted the rural themes of Mother India and Gunga Jumna in an urban context reflecting 1970s India, channelling
9170-508: 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,
9301-622: 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
9432-404: 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
9563-474: 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
9694-483: 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
9825-473: The film, while R. S. Prakash directed and produced it along with playing the title character Bhishma . As 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,
9956-532: 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) 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
10087-543: The first cinema hall in Andhra , Maruthi Cinema was established in Vijayawada by Pothina Srinivasa Rao. Y. V. Rao and R. S. Prakash established 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 ,
10218-600: 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
10349-563: The first films shown in his theatres were The Million Dollar Mystery (1914), The Broken Coin (1915), Mysteries of Meera , Clutching Hand , Raja's Casket , Pearl Fish , and Great Bard . He established a film library and provided training on cinematic techniques . Realizing the potential in filmmaking, Venkaiah Naidu sent his son, Ragupathi Surya Prakash Naidu , to London to study film production techniques. Surya Prakash trained under renowned directors and worked as an assistant to Cecil B. DeMille . Upon returning to India, he brought
10480-436: The foundations for Indian neorealism The Apu Trilogy (1955–1959, Satyajit Ray ) won prizes at several major international film festivals and firmly established the parallel cinema movement. It was influential on world cinema and led to a rush of coming-of-age films in art house theatres. Cinematographer Subrata Mitra developed the technique of bounce lighting , to recreate the effect of daylight on sets, during
10611-455: 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
10742-607: The globe, compared to Hollywood 's 2.6 billion tickets sold. Realistic parallel cinema continued throughout the 1970s, practised in many Indian film cultures. The FFC's art film orientation came under criticism during a Committee on Public Undertakings investigation in 1976, which accused the body of not doing enough to encourage commercial cinema. Hindi commercial cinema continued with films such as Aradhana (1969), Sachaa Jhutha (1970), Haathi Mere Saathi (1971), Anand (1971), Kati Patang (1971) Amar Prem (1972), Dushman (1972) and Daag (1973). By
10873-467: The growing discontent and disillusionment among the masses, unprecedented growth of slums and urban poverty, corruption and crime, as well as anti-establishment themes. This resulted in their creation of the "angry young man", personified by Amitabh Bachchan , who reinterpreted Kumar's performance in Gunga Jumna and gave a voice to the urban poor. By the mid-1970s, Bachchan's position as
11004-466: The growth of the South Indian film industry . He and his London -educated son, Raghupathi Surya Prakash Naidu , produced several films over the years, including Bhishma Pratigna , Gajendra Moksham , Mathsyavatharam and Nandanaar . The Raghupathi Venkaiah Award , part of the Nandi Awards , is named in his honour, recognizing lifetime achievements in Telugu cinema. Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu
11135-428: 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 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
11266-894: The highest number of mainstream Indian hit movies that decade. At the end of the decade, Yash Chopra 's Chandni (1989) created a new formula for Bollywood musical romance films, reviving the genre and defining Hindi cinema in the years that followed. Commercial Hindi cinema grew in the late 1980s and 1990s, with the release of Mr. India (1987), Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), Chaalbaaz (1989), Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), Lamhe (1991), Saajan (1991), Khuda Gawah (1992), Khalnayak (1993), Darr (1993), Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya (1998) and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998). Cult classic Bandit Queen (1994) directed by Shekhar Kapur received international recognition and controversy. In
11397-462: The industry as a major force in Indian and world cinema and boosted 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
11528-608: 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
11659-746: The industry's revenue. The history of cinema in India extends to the beginning of the film era. Following the screening of the Lumière and Robert Paul moving pictures in London in 1896, commercial cinematography became a worldwide sensation and these films were shown in Bombay (now Mumbai ) that same year. In 1897, a film presentation by filmmaker Professor Stevenson featured a stage show at Calcutta's Star Theatre. With Stevenson's camera and encouragement, Indian photographer Hiralal Sen filmed scenes from that show, exhibited as The Flower of Persia (1898). The Wrestlers (1899), by H. S. Bhatavdekar , showing
11790-451: 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
11921-563: 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
12052-874: 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
12183-455: The late 1980s, Hindi cinema experienced another period of stagnation, with a decline in box office turnout, due to increasing violence, decline in musical melodic quality, and rise in video piracy, leading to middle-class family audiences abandoning theatres. The turning point came with Indian blockbuster Disco Dancer (1982) which began the era of disco music in Indian cinema. Lead actor Mithun Chakraborty and music director Bappi Lahiri had
12314-567: The late 1990s, there was a resurgence of parallel cinema in Bollywood, largely due to the critical and commercial success of crime films such as Satya (1998) and Vaastav (1999). These films launched a genre known as "Mumbai noir", reflecting social problems in the city. Ram Gopal Varma directed the Indian Political Trilogy , and the Indian Gangster Trilogy ; film critic Rajeev Masand had labelled
12445-582: 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
12576-485: The latter series as one of the "most influential movies of Bollywood. The first instalment of the trilogy, Satya , was also listed in CNN-IBN 's 100 greatest Indian films of all time. Since the 1990s, the three biggest Bollywood movie stars have been the " Three Khans ": Aamir Khan , Shah Rukh Khan , and Salman Khan . Combined, they starred in the top ten highest-grossing Bollywood films , and have dominated
12707-556: 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
12838-460: The masses (admission as low as an anna [one-sixteenth of a rupee] in Bombay). Young producers began to incorporate elements of Indian social life and culture into cinema, others brought new ideas from across the world. Global audiences and markets soon became aware of India's film industry. In 1927, the British government, to promote the market in India for British films over American ones, formed
12969-461: The memory". Commercial Hindi cinema began thriving, including acclaimed films Pyaasa (1957) and Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959, Guru Dutt ) Awaara (1951) and Shree 420 (1955, Raj Kapoor ). These films expressed social themes mainly dealing with working-class urban life in India; Awaara presented Bombay as both a nightmare and a dream, while Pyaasa critiqued the unreality of city life. Epic film Mother India (1957, Mehboob Khan )
13100-533: 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
13231-562: 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
13362-744: 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
13493-518: 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
13624-466: 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
13755-438: The record as the highest-grossing film of all time in India. Over 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
13886-613: The second film of the trilogy and later pioneered other effects such as the photo-negative flashbacks and X-ray digressions. During the 1950s, Indian cinema reportedly became the world's second largest film industry, earning a gross annual income of ₹ 250 million (equivalent to ₹ 26 billion or US$ 320 million in 2023) in 1953. The government created the Film Finance Corporation (FFC) in 1960 to provide financial support to filmmakers. While serving as Information and Broadcasting Minister of India in
14017-500: 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
14148-1473: The third instalment of the Indian Shakespearean Trilogy after Maqbool (2003) and Omkara (2006), won the People's Choice Award at the 9th Rome Film Festival in the Mondo Genere making it the first Indian film to achieve this honour. The 2000s and 2010s also saw the rise of a new generation of popular actors like Shahid Kapoor , Ranbir Kapoor , Ranveer Singh , Ayushmann Khurrana , Varun Dhawan , Sidharth Malhotra , Sushant Singh Rajput , Kartik Aaryan , Arjun Kapoor , Aditya Roy Kapur and Tiger Shroff , as well as actresses like Vidya Balan , Priyanka Chopra , Kareena Kapoor , Katrina Kaif , Kangana Ranaut , Deepika Padukone , Sonam Kapoor , Anushka Sharma , Shraddha Kapoor , Alia Bhatt , Parineeti Chopra and Kriti Sanon with Balan, Ranaut and Bhatt gaining wide recognition for successful female-centric films such as The Dirty Picture (2011), Kahaani (2012), Queen (2014), Highway (2014), Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015), Raazi (2018) and Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022). Salim–Javed were highly influential in South Indian cinema . In addition to writing two Kannada films , many of their Bollywood films had remakes produced in other regions, including Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam cinema. While
14279-421: 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
14410-442: 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
14541-451: The unavailability of Telugu actresses, Anglo-Indian women were cast in female roles. Venkaiah also built a studio, known as the Glass Studio, where sunlight was used for filming due to the lack of electricity. By 1927, Venkaiah Naidu was producing films in large numbers, but the financial returns did not meet their expectations, leading to severe financial difficulties. He faced high competition with East India Film Company . Eventually, he
14672-498: 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
14803-467: The viewer's experience. Although expensive, Naidu acquired the device and imported it from London, along with a 4,000-foot silent film. In 1910, he conducted the first experiment with the Chrono Megaphone at the Victoria Public Hall in Madras, where the audience was thrilled by the added sound during the silent film. His experiment's success led to wider screenings across towns and villages in
14934-493: 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
15065-526: The world's largest film producer. Hindi film production of Bombay, the largest segment of the industry, became known as "Bollywood". Summary of the 2022 box office revenues. By 1996, the Indian film industry had an estimated domestic cinema viewership of 600 million people, establishing India as one of the largest film markets, with the largest regional industries being Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil films. In 2001, in terms of ticket sales, Indian cinema sold an estimated 3.6 billion tickets annually across
15196-467: Was Kisan Kanya (1937, Moti B). Viswa Mohini (1940) was the first Indian film to depict the Indian movie-making world. Swamikannu Vincent , who had built the first cinema of South India in Coimbatore , introduced the concept of "tent cinema" in which a tent was erected on a stretch of open land to screen films. The first of its kind was in Madras and called Edison's Grand Cinema Megaphone. This
15327-520: Was born on 15 October into a Kapu family in Machilipatnam . He was the second son of Subedar Raghupathi Appayya Naidu, an Indian Army official, and Seshamma. His elder brother, Raghupathi Venkataratnam Naidu , was a prominent educationalist and social reformer. Venkaiah Naidu's family had a long history of military service, with his ancestors serving as commanders in the East India Company and Madras Army 's Hyderabad Regiments. From
15458-439: Was built in 1936 by Nidamarthi Surayya in Rajahmundry , Andhra Pradesh. The advent of sound to Indian cinema launched musicals such as Indra Sabha and Devi Devyani , marking the beginning of song-and-dance in Indian films. By 1935, studios emerged in major cities such as Madras, Calcutta and Bombay as filmmaking became an established industry, exemplified by the success of Devdas (1935). The first colour film made in India
15589-451: Was coined in the 1970s, when the conventions of commercial Bombay-produced Hindi films were established. Key to this was Nasir Hussain and Salim–Javed's creation of the masala film genre, which combines elements of action , comedy , romance , drama , melodrama and musical . Their film Yaadon Ki Baarat (1973) has been identified as the first masala film and the first quintessentially Bollywood film. Masala films made Bachchan
15720-673: 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. Cinema of India The Cinema of India , consisting of motion pictures made by
15851-516: 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
15982-737: 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 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
16113-585: Was due to the fact that electric carbons were used for motion picture projectors. Bombay Talkies opened in 1934 and Prabhat Studios in Pune began production of Marathi films. Sant Tukaram (1936) was the first Indian film to be screened at an international film festival, at the 1937 edition of the Venice Film Festival. The film was judged one of the three best films of the year. However, while Indian filmmakers sought to tell important stories,
16244-545: Was featured at the Ann Arbor Film Festival , fetching three Indian Express Awards . B. Narsing Rao , K. N. T. Sastry , and A. Kutumba Rao garnered international recognition for their works in new-wave cinema. Narsing Rao's Maa Ooru (1992) won the " Media Wave Award " of Hungary; Daasi (1988) and Matti Manushulu (1990) won the Diploma of Merit awards at the 16th and 17th MIFF respectively. Sastry's Thilaadanam (2000) received "New Currents Award" at
16375-448: Was forced to sell his studio in 1929. While Venkaiah Naidu returned to his photography business, his son, Surya Prakash, continued in the film industry, although without much financial success. Venkaiah Naidu died on 15 March 1941 due to medical illness. In 1981, the Andhra Pradesh government instituted the prestigious Raghupathi Venkaiah Award , honouring individuals for their lifetime contributions to Telugu cinema. The award includes
16506-559: Was premiered in Coronation cinema in Girgaon . Although some claim Shree Pundalik (1912) of Dadasaheb Torne is the first ever film made in India, some film scholars have argued that Pundalik was not a true Indian film because it was simply a recording of a stage play, filmed by a British cameraman and it was processed in London. Raja Harishchandra of Phalke had a story based on Hindu Sanskrit legend of Harishchandra ,
16637-501: 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
16768-481: Was the first Indian film to be nominated for the US-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and defined the conventions of Hindi cinema for decades. It spawned a new genre of dacoit films . Gunga Jumna (1961, Dilip Kumar ) was a dacoit crime drama about two brothers on opposite sides of the law, a theme that became common in Indian films in
16899-503: Was the first Indian social drama film and featured the first Dalit -caste film actress. The first chain of Indian cinemas, Madan Theatre , was owned by Parsi entrepreneur Jamshedji Framji Madan , who oversaw the production and distribution of films for the chain. These included film adaptations from Bengal's popular literature and Satyawadi Raja Harishchandra (1917), a remake of Phalke's influential film. Films steadily gained popularity across India as affordable entertainment for
17030-406: 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
17161-529: Was the first sound film of Marathi cinema . Irani also produced South India's first sound film, the Tamil–Telugu bilingual talking picture Kalidas (1931, H. M. Reddy ). The first Telugu film with audible dialogue, Bhakta Prahlada (1932), was directed by H. M. Reddy , who directed the first bilingual (Telugu and Tamil) talkie Kalidas (1931). East India Film Company produced its first Telugu film, Savitri (1933, C. Pullayya ), adapted from
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