Telugu Film Industry is shining brightly at the Box-office as never before. From the beginning of the year 2006, the results of the films have been favorable to many. In the first six months 50 films were released and 7 of them went on to become big hits at the box-office. Even the films made on a small budget did not disappoint the audience.
The year started on a bright note with 'Lakshmi' having a great run at the box-office. The film had Venkatesh in the lead role and was directed by V.V.Vinayak. What turned the tide in its favor was the screenplay by V.V.Vinayak. It collected over Rs.16 crores, making it the biggest hit in the career of Venkatesh. Choreographer turned Director Lawrence's film 'Style', also turned out to be a hit at the box-office. Stock value of the film rose because of the special appearances of Chiranjeevi and Nagarjuna. The success of 'Devadasu' surprised many in the Film Industry. At the outset, the film ran to empty houses for three weeks. Slowly, the collections picked up and film is celebrating its Silver Jubilee this week.
Director Y.V.S.Choudary' took a risk in trying out newcomers, the efforts certainly paid off. It was the turn of Choreographer Rajasekhar to take to direction. What a way start his career, with well-known production house Eetharam Films producing his first film, there was no looking back. Gopichand Starrer 'Ranam' enthralled the masses in a big way. As expected 'Sri Ramadasu', raked in the moolah at the box-office. It was a universal hit, with the music and re-recording of M.M.Keervani playing a major part in the triumph of the film. Direction of K.Raghavendra Rao had the crowds captivated. The acting of Nagarjuna stood out in the film.
The film 'Pokiri', starring Mahesh Babu is creating records everywhere. According to market sources, the collections of the film may cross Rs.40 crores. The mafia backdrop, acting of Mahesh, dialogues, characterization and good looks of Ileana had the audience in a daze.
The success of 'Kithakithalu' directed by E.V.V.Satyanarayana, exemplified that there is room everybody. There were no songs in the film. Crowds just enjoyed every bit of the film.
'Godavari' directed by Sekhar Kammula is running to packed houses in cities like Hyderabad, Vijayawada, and Vizag. The urban viewers have liked it immensely.
After, a long gap D.Rama Naidu produced a film 'Sri Krishna 2006'. The film had the audience in splits with its comedy.
'Tenth Class', directed by Chandu also did well at the box-office. The film garnered the attention of the youth in a big way. The film was also in the news for all the wrong reasons, because the film was dragged to court and the judges had to clear the film after seeing it.
The collections of 'Vikramarkudu' are stable at the box-office. The film is running to jam-packed houses and the crowds from day one are lapping up the film.
'Hanumanthu', also triumphed at the box-office. The performance of Srihari in the film was applauded by one and all.
All, the above-mentioned films, were made on a small to medium budgets. The distributors are laughing all the way to the bank, because these films earned them handsome returns at the box-office.
Coming to the flops, films like 'Veerabhadra', and 'Pournami' fell by the wayside. These films were made on a huge budget. The fans of Balakrishna were disappointed lot, as the film 'Veerabhadra', turned out to be a disaster at the box-office. Pawan Kalyan starrer 'Bangaram' is having an average run at the box-office. Man with the Midas touch M.S.Raju's film 'Pournami', was a failure right from the word go.
The prospects of dubbed films at the box-office are gloomy. The films that were dubbed were either flops from other languages or the producers just wanted to cash on to the dubbing mania. With the exceptions of films like 'Narnia', 'Pandam Kodi', and 'Krish', all the others failed to make an impact at the box-office.
All in all, it was an outstanding first half for the Telugu Film Industry. The second half is being looked at with bated breath. Second half of the year is very crucial for the Telugu cinema. If it turns out as big as the first half, then there is no looking back for the Telugu Cinema in the days to come.