Tollywood is the informal name for the Telugu language film industry, based in the Indian states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the largest film industries in India, producing a large number of films each year that are widely watched by Telugu-speaking audiences across the world.
Tollywood films are known for their unique blend of drama, romance, action, and comedy, and feature some of the biggest stars in the Indian film industry. With a rich history dating back to the 1920s, Tollywood has come a long way and continues to evolve with the changing times, constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation in filmmaking. Here are a few of the highest-grossing Tollywood movies of all time.
1. Bahubali 2: The Conclusion
Director - S.S. Rajamouli
Stars - Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah, Ramya Krishna, Sathyaraj, Nassar, and Subbaraju.
Release date - 28 April 2017
Worldwide gross - 1749cr
S. S. Rajamouli directed the 2017 Indian epic action film Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, which he co-wrote with V. Vijayendra Prasad. Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni produced it under the banner Arka Media Works. The film was made in Tollywood, India's center for Telugu language films, and was shot in both Telugu and Tamil simultaneously. Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah, Ramya Krishna, Sathyaraj, Nassar, and Subbaraju star in it. It is the second film in the Baahubali franchise and serves as both a sequel and a prequel to Baahubali: The Beginning. The film is set in medieval India and follows Amarendra Baahubali and Bhallaladeva's sibling rivalry; the latter conspires against the former and has him killed by Kattappa. Amarendra's son returns years later to avenge his father's death.
2. RRR
Director - S.S. Rajamouli
Stars - N. T. Rama Rao Jr., Ram Charan, Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt, Shriya Saran, Samuthirakani, Ray Stevenson, Alison Doody, and Olivia Morris
Release date - 24 March 2022
Worldwide gross - 1208.5cr
RRR is a Telugu-language epic action drama film directed by S. S. Rajamouli, who also co-wrote the script with V. Vijayendra Prasad. D. V. V. Danayya of DVV Entertainment produced it. N. T. Rama Rao Jr., Ram Charan, Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt, Shriya Saran, Samuthirakani, Ray Stevenson, Alison Doody, and Olivia Morris starred in the film. It is based on the friendship and struggle of two Indian revolutionaries, Alluri Sitarama Raju (Charan) and Komaram Bheem (Rama Rao), against the British Raj. RRR is set in the 1920s, pre-independence India, and follows the fictionalized story of two real-life revolutionaries, Alluri Sitarama Raju, and Komaram Bheem, who fought against the British Raj and the Nizam of Hyderabad, respectively.
Jr. NTR portrays Komaram Bheem, and Ram Charan portrays Alluri Sitarama Raju.
With a budget of over 400 crore rupees, the film is billed as one of the most expensive Indian films ever made. It also has some of the most advanced VFX and CGI work, which has become synonymous with S.S. Rajamouli's films.
3. Baahubali: The Beginning
Director - S.S. Rajamouli
Stars - Prabhas, Rana, Daggubati, Anushka Shetty
Release date - 10 July 2015
Worldwide gross - 600.6cr
S. S. Rajamouli co-wrote and directed Baahubali: The Beginning, which was produced by Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni under Arka Media Works. The film was made in Tollywood, India's center for Telugu language films, and was shot in both Telugu and Tamil simultaneously. Prabhas co-stars with Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah, Ramya Krishna, Sathyaraj, and Nassar. The film follows Sivudu, an adventurous young man who assists his love Avantika in rescuing Devasena, the former queen of Mahishmati who is now a prisoner under the tyrannical rule of King Bhallaladeva. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion brings the story to a close.
4. Saaho
Director - Sujeeth
Stars - Prabhas, Shraddha Kapoor, Jackie Shroff
Release date - 30 August 2019
Worldwide gross - 417.6cr
Sujeeth wrote and directed the 2019 Indian action thriller Saaho, which was produced by UV Creations. Shraddha Kapoor, Chunky Pandey, Jackie Shroff, Arun Vijay, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Lal, Murali Sharma, Mandira Bedi, Mahesh Manjrekar, Prakash Belawadi, Tinnu Anand, Evelyn Sharma, Supreeth, Devan, and Vennela Kishore also star. Saaho was simultaneously shot in Telugu and Hindi, and it marks Prabhas's Hindi film debut as well as Shraddha Kapoor's Telugu film debut. The plot revolves around two covert operatives on the hunt for a thief who has stolen 2,000 crores (US$284 million). They soon realize that the case is connected to the death of a prominent business tycoon and an emerging gang war for control.
4. Pushpa: The Rise - Part 1
Director - Sukumar
Stars - Allu Arjun, Fahadh Faasil, Rashmika Mandanna
Release date - 17 December 2021
Worldwide gross - 361.5cr
Sukumar wrote and directed Pushpa: The Rise - Part 01, a 2021 Indian Telugu-language action drama film. It stars Allu Arjun as the titular character, Fahadh Faasil (making his Telugu debut), and Rashmika Mandanna, with Jagadeesh Prathap Bandari, Sunil, Raj Tirandasu, Rao Ramesh, Dhananjaya, Anasuya Bharadwaj, Ajay, and Ajay Ghosh in supporting roles. It is produced by Muttamsetty Media in collaboration with Mythri Movie Makers. The film depicts the rise of a low-wage laborer Pushpa Raj in the smuggling syndicate of red sandalwood, a rare wood that grows only in the Seshachalam Hills of Chittoor in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
5. Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo
Director - Trivikram Srinivas
Stars - Allu Arjun, Pooja Hegde, Tabu
Release date - 12 January 2020
Worldwide gross - 264.5cr
Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo is a 2020 Telugu-language action-drama film directed by Trivikram Srinivas and produced by Geetha Arts and Haarika & Hassine Creations. Allu Arjun, Pooja Hegde, Tabu, Jayaram, Sushanth, Navdeep, Nivetha Pethuraj, Samuthirakani, and Murali Sharma star in the film. The plot revolves around Bantu, played by Allu Arjun, who is raised by a poor but loving father and grows up yearning for a better life. However, fate intervenes when he discovers that he was swapped at birth with Valmiki, the son of a wealthy businessman played by Murali Sharma. Bantu then enters the Vaikunthapuram mansion as Valmiki's son, where he must deal with a dysfunctional family as well as several other challenges.
6. Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy
Director - Trivikram Srinivas
Stars - Chiranjeevi, Amitabh Bachchan, Sudeep
Release date - 2 October 2019
Worldwide gross - 243.6cr
Sarileru Neekevvaru is a 2020 Telugu-language action-comedy film directed by Anil Ravipudi and produced by Anil Sunkara, Dil Raju, and Mahesh Babu under the banners of AK Entertainments and GMB Entertainment. The film stars Mahesh Babu, Rashmika Mandanna, Vijayashanti, Prakash Raj, and Rajendra Prasad in pivotal roles.
The film revolves around the character of Army Major Ajay Krishna, played by Mahesh Babu, who is sent to Kurnool on a mission to rescue a family from a gangster named Damodar, played by Prakash Raj. Ajay finds himself embroiled in a family dispute, and with his wit and charm, he tries to resolve the issue while also fighting against Damodar's criminal activities.
7. Waltair Veerayya
Director - K.S. Ravindra
Stars - Chiranjeevi, Ravi Teja, Shruti Haasan
Release date - 13 January 2023
Worldwide gross - 223.3cr
Waltair Veerayya is an Indian Telugu-language action comedy film directed by Bobby Kolli and produced by Mythri Movie Makers that was released in 2023. Chiranjeevi plays the title character in the film, alongside Ravi Teja, Shruti Haasan, and Catherine Tresa.
The film was announced in August 2021, and principal photography began in December 2021 in Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, and Malaysia. Devi Sri Prasad composed the soundtrack, and Arthur A. Wilson shot the film. Waltair Veerayya debuted on January 13, 2023, to mixed reviews from critics. The film was a box office success, becoming the highest-grossing Telugu film of 2023.
8. Sarileru Neekevvaru
Director - Anil Ravipudi
Stars - Mahesh Babu, Rashmika Mandanna, Vijayshanti
Release date - 10 January 2020
Worldwide gross - 222.8cr
Anil Ravipudi's Sarileru Neekevvaru is a 2020 Telugu-language action comedy film written and directed by him. Sri Venkateswara Creations, G. Mahesh Babu Entertainment, and AK Entertainment are producing it. Mahesh Babu, Rashmika Mandanna, and Vijayashanti star in the film, with Prakash Raj and Rajendra Prasad playing supporting roles. Devi Sri Prasad composed the music, and R. Rathnavelu directed the film.
9. Rangasthalam 1985
Director - Sukumar
Stars - Ram Charan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Aadhi
Release date - 130 March 2018
Worldwide gross - 206.6cr
Sukumar's Rangasthalam is a 2018 Telugu-language period action drama film written and directed by him. The film, directed by Y. Naveen and produced by Y. Ravi Shankar and C. V. Mohan for Mythri Movie Makers, stars Ram Charan and Samantha Akkineni, with Aadhi Pinisetty, Jagapathi Babu, Prakash Raj, Naresh, and Anasuya Bharadwaj in key supporting roles. Rangasthalam is set in the 1980s in the eponymous fictional village. It tells the story of two brothers, Chittibabu (Charan) and Kumar Babu (Pinisetty), who oppose the village's local government and the corrupt co-operative society led by Phanindra Bhupathi, the president of which (Babu).
10. Sarkaru Vaari Paata
Director - Parasuram
Stars - Keerthy Suresh, Mahesh Babu, Samuthirakani
Release date - 12 May 2022
Worldwide gross - 181.9cr
Parasuram wrote and directed the 2022 Indian Telugu-language action drama film Sarkaru Vaari Paata. It stars Mahesh Babu, Keerthy Suresh, and Samuthirakani and is produced by Mythri Movie Makers, 14 Reels Plus, and G. Mahesh Babu Entertainment. The plot revolves around Mahi, a financier and MP named Rajendranath, and his daughter Kalaavathi, who con Mahi for her gambling debts. Thaman S composed the film score and soundtrack, and R. Madhi and Marthand K. Venkatesh shot and edited the film.
11. Maharshi
Director - Vamshi Paidipally
Stars - Mahesh Babu, Allari Naresh, Pooja Hegde
Release date - 9 May 2019
Worldwide gross - 176.6cr
Maharshi is a 2019 Indian Telugu-language action drama film directed by Vamsi Paidipally and produced by Dil Raju, C. Ashwini Dutt, and Prasad V. Potluri. The movie features Mahesh Babu, Allari Naresh, and Pooja Hegde in lead roles.
The story of the film revolves around Rishi, a successful businessman who travels to India to reunite with his best friend Ravi, who is now a farmer. Through his journey, Rishi learns about the problems faced by farmers and decides to help them by starting his own organic farm. The film also explores themes of friendship, love, and social responsibility.
12. Bharat Ane Nenu
Director - Koratala Siva
Stars - Mahesh Babu, Kiara Advani, Prakash Raj
Release date - 20 April 2018
Worldwide gross - 167.5cr
Parasuram wrote and directed the 2022 Indian Telugu-language action drama film Sarkaru Vaari Paata. It stars Mahesh Babu, Keerthy Suresh, and Samuthirakani and is produced by Mythri Movie Makers, 14 Reels Plus, and G. Mahesh Babu Entertainment. The plot revolves around Mahi, a financier and MP named Rajendranath, and his daughter Kalaavathi, who con Mahi for her gambling debts. Thaman S composed the film score and soundtrack, and R. Madhi and Marthand K. Venkatesh shot and edited the film.
13. Khaidi No. 150
Director - V.V. Vinayak
Stars - Chiranjeevi, Kajal Aggarwal, Tarun Arora
Release date - 11 January 2017
Worldwide gross - 167.5cr
V. V. Vinayak's 2017 Telugu-language action drama film Khaidi No. 150 is produced by Lyca Productions and Konidela Production Company. Chiranjeevi and Kajal Aggarwal starred in the film. It was Chiranjeevi's first film in a lead role in a decade, as well as his 150th film. The third installment in the Khaidi trilogy is an official remake of the 2014 Tamil film Kaththi.
Principal photography began in June 2016 in Hyderabad on a 50 crore budget. The film was released on January 11, 2017, during the Sankranthi weekend. It was the second highest-grossing Telugu film of 2017, grossing more than 164 crore globally.
14. Radhe Shyam
Director - K.K. Radhakrishna Kumar
Stars - Prabhas, Pooja Hegde, Bhagyashree Patwardhan
Release date - 11 March 2022
Worldwide gross - 148.4cr
Radhe Shyam is a Radha Krishna Kumar-directed 2022 Indian period romantic drama film. The film, produced by UV Creations and T-Series, was shot simultaneously in Telugu and Hindi and stars Prabhas and Pooja Hegde. In supporting roles, Bhagyashree, Sathyaraj, Jagapathi Babu, Krishnam Raju, Sachin Khedekar, Murali Sharma, and Jayaram appear. The film is set in 1970s Italy and revolves around palmist Vikramaditya, who is torn between destiny and his love for Dr. Prerana.
15. Magadheera
Director - S.S. Rajamouli
Stars - Ram Charan, Kajal Aggarwal, Dev Gill
Release date - 30 July 2009
Worldwide gross - 135cr
Magadheera is a 2009 Telugu fantasy action film directed by S. S. Rajamouli and produced by Allu Aravind's Geetha Arts, based on a story by V. Vijayendra Prasad. Ram Charan, Srihari, Kajal Aggarwal, and Dev Gill star in the film. It's about reincarnation and eternal love.
Made on a 35-44 crore budget At the time, Magadheera was the most expensive Telugu film. The production of the film began on March 2, 2008, with principal photography beginning on March 19, 2008. M. M. Keeravani composed the soundtrack, and K. K. Senthil Kumar handled the cinematography. Peter Hein and the Ram-Lakshman duo choreographed the action sequences. It was the first Telugu film to include the title "visual effects producer" in its credits.
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