In 2024, the Telugu film industry witnessed a surge in movies set against the backdrop of Telangana, offering audiences a diverse range of stories. From blockbuster hits featuring star heroes to unexpected successes, these films captivated viewers, despite some falling short of expectations. Here’s a closer look at notable movies from 2024 that showcased the Telangana essence:
“Tillu Square”: Starring Siddhu Jonnalagadda, this movie became a blockbuster, joining the ₹100 crore club.
“Razakar”: A historical drama set in the 1940s, focusing on the atrocities of the Razakar regime in Telangana, opened to positive reviews and strong box office collections.
“Laggam”: A family entertainer based on a Telangana wedding backdrop performed decently in theaters, striking an emotional chord with audiences.
“Pottelu”: Despite its unique promotional style, the film received an average response.
Other films like “Jithender Reddy”, “Urukupatela”, “Line Man”, “Praveen IPS”, “Kallu Compound”, “Pailam Pilaga”, “Sharathulu Varthistayi”, “Gorrepuranam”, “Bahirbhumi”, and “Keshava Chandra Ramavat” explored Telangana themes but failed to meet expectations. Routine storytelling, poor execution, and lack of production values were cited as reasons for their underperformance.
OTT platforms also saw a significant boost for Telangana-themed content.
“Sarkaru Naukari”, featuring playback singer Sunitha’s son as the lead and presented by veteran director K. Raghavendra Rao, received acclaim from OTT audiences.
“Laggam”, which was a theatrical hit, continued its success on OTT platforms like Aha and Amazon Prime, even gaining popularity in Tamil and Kannada.
Content proved to be the key, with movies finding success on OTT platforms regardless of the cast’s star power.
Prominent directors like Mallik Ram (Tillu Square), Yata Satyanarayana (Razakar), and Ramesh Cheppala (Laggam) gained recognition for their work, drawing attention from the industry.
With hopes high, the industry and audiences alike look forward to more quality films set in Telangana’s backdrop in 2025!
