This year was a mixed response for Tollywood with only few films being successful, but some of the top actors like Prabhas, Jr NTR and Allu Arjun widened their market with huge success. Some of the small films also did better and here is the round up of the year.
suresh kavirayani
Nearly 250 Telugu films were released in 2024, and as in previous years, only about 8 percent of them achieved success. This year belonged to Allu Arjun, whose film “Pushpa 2: The Rule,” a sequel to his earlier hit “Pushpa: The Rise,” became a sensational hit in the Hindi belt. Although the film failed to break even in the Telugu states due to various reasons, it emerged as a huge hit in Hindi, catapulting Allu Arjun to superstardom in India. Despite the film’s blockbuster status, the actor was unable to celebrate its success due to controversy and ongoing legal issues.
The Telugu film industry is one of the largest in India, with approximately Rs 2,500 crore invested in films this year. “Pushpa 2” had the highest budget, followed by “Kalki 2898AD” and “Devara: Part 1.” Some smaller films, such as “Aay” ,”Committee Kurrollu” ,”Mathu Vadalara 2″, and “KA”, achieved significant success at the box office.
Siddhu Jonnalagadda, popularly known as “DJ Tillu”, emerged as a new star in Telugu cinema after the massive success of his film “Tillu Square.” The film joined the prestigious Rs 100 crore club, a rare feat for an upcoming actor like Siddhu. He is now one of the most sought-after stars in Telugu cinema.
On the other hand, the film “Hanuman” was initially released in a limited number of theaters but later expanded to more screens, ultimately emerging as a huge hit. Teja Sajja, a relatively small star who played the lead role in the film, became a household name following the success of “Hanuman.” Directed by Prashanth Varma, the film not only performed well in Telugu but also in other languages, including Hindi.
Mahesh Babu’s film “Guntur Kaaram,” released at the beginning of the year, received mixed reviews. However, Mahesh Babu’s performance and the film’s songs helped it recover its investment. According to the producer, the film generated good profits, performing well in the Telugu states.
Pushpa ante flower ankuntiva? Brand!
Allu Arjun and director Sukumar delivered the sequel “Pushpa 2: The Rule” three years after the first installment, “Pushpa: The Rise.” Produced by Mythri Movie Makers, the film features Rashmika Mandanna as the female lead. Although the film officially released on December 5, premieres began on the night of December 4. The governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh granted permission to increase the ticket price for this film, a first-time occurrence. Following Allu Arjun’s visit to Nandhyal, the Mega family maintained their distance, and Mega Fans largely avoided watching “Pushpa 2” in the Telugu states. However, the Hindi version of the film became a massive hit, catapulting it to the highest-grossing Indian film and establishing Allu Arjun as the new superstar of Indian cinema. As one of the high-budget films in Telugu cinema, “Pushpa 2” achieved a remarkable feat by crossing the Rs 1,000 crore mark within just a few days of its release.
