Movie Rulez2.Com 2024 Telugu: In 2024, Telugu cinema offered both blockbuster films and unexpected gems, from “RRR” to “Masooda,” “Sita Ramam” to “Major,” “Ante Sundaraniki” and “HIT 2,” to “Oke Oka Jeevitham” and “DJ Tillu.”
The Telugu film RRR, directed by S. S. Rajamouli, gained widespread praise in 2024, and despite being nominated for prestigious international prizes, its popularity continues to grow.
Additionally, a few Telugu films with significantly lower budgets, including the bizarre criminal comedy DJ Tillu, the time-traveling family drama Oke Oka Jeevitham, and the terrifying Masooda, saw success.
Data available from the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce suggests that more than 212 Telugu films and 57 dubbed films released in theatres. Among them, only 20 to 25 have been box office successes.
Table of Contents
Bigger the better?
The rural gangster movie Pushpa – The Rise, directed by Sukumar and Allu Arjun, was still playing at full theatres at the beginning of the year. The pandemic-induced calm appeared to be ended, but starting in mid-January, the Omicron wave momentarily seized over. With the exception of Bangarraju, Sankranti at the movies was dull.
Despite being overused, Pan-Indian movies became the rage in the months that followed. In the Telugu states, RRR and KGF – Chapter Two (Kannada and Telugu dub versions) dominated the box office.
Telangana and Andhra Pradesh state governments approved a price increase for tickets after sensing the audience’s desire for spectacular performances. This led audiences to carefully consider their options before entering movie theatres.
Many OTT users waited for new releases to arrive on digital platforms in a few weeks since they were accustomed to doing so.
Radhe Shyam and Acharya demonstrated that not all high-profile films starring A-list actors are commercial successes. Additionally joining this list is the widely publicised Liger, which serves as a reminder that viewers should not be taken for granted.
The changing OTT game
During the pandemic, digital streaming proved extremely helpful. Major OTT firms bought the rights to big, medium, and small-budget films to satisfy the voracious desire of housebound viewers who were always looking for new content to watch.
However, as the epidemic dragged on for a little more than two years, online fatigue set in; OTTs observed that following numerous lockdowns, viewers tended to click on shows and films that were supported by well-known individuals or had generated some buzz in the theatres.
New Telugu films have trouble obtaining a direct digital release by the middle of 2022. Cinematic releases have to be investigated for films like Saakini Daakini and the anthology Panchathantram, which were conceptualised as digital productions.
Watchlist 2024: Ten films worth recommending
The films are listed in no particular order.
RRR
NTR and Ram Charan in S S Rajamouli’s ‘RRR”
Dedicated fans of Telugu cinema may disagree on whether the filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli’s films Eega and Baahubali 2 were more compelling entertainments than RRR, but it is RRR that has brought Rajamouli and Telugu cinema to the attention of the world.
RRR raised the bar for showmanship thanks in large part to the performances of NTR Jr. and Ram Charan, who played characters modelled after the freedom fighters Komaram Bheem and Alluri Seetharama Raju, and a stellar technical crew led by cinematographer K. K. Senthil Kumar and visual effects supervisor Srinivas Mohan.
Prem Rakshith’s enthusiastically choreographed “Naatu Naatu” is still being danced to around the world, and Rajamouli and crew RRR are hoping to take home a number of prestigious international honours.
‘Naatu Naatu’ is in the shortlist for the Academy Awards for Best Original Song in 2023, and the movie has received two Golden Globe nominations.
Sita Ramam
Dulquer Salmaan and Mrunal Thakur in the romance drama ‘Sita Ramam’
The popular action plays Pushpa – The Rise, RRR, and KGF – Chapter Two were fueled by testosterone. Sita Ramam, a historical romance directed by Hanu Raghavapudi and made by Vyjayanthi Films. Disproved the idea that only stories with strong male characters can outperform at the box office.
Sita Ramam intercut two historical periods—the 1960s and the 1980s—and revived the delight of viewing an old-fashioned romance through the allure of letter writing.
The musical adaptation of the Dulquer Salmaan and Mrunal Thakur characters’ Veer Zara-like storyline emphasised the importance of considering human relationships beyond of religion and national barriers.
A timely movie at a time when “us” versus “them” arguments dominate conversation everywhere.
Major
Adivi Sesh, Sobhita Dhulipala, Prakash Raj, Revathy and Saiee Manjrekar in ‘Major’
Adivi Sesh, an actor-writer, and director Sashi Kiran Tikka created Major as an emotional, sympathetic homage to Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan. One of the heroes of the 26/11 attacks, with Mahesh Babu serving as a co-producer.
Major, which was simultaneously shot in Telugu and Hindi and dubbed in Malayalam. Was well received throughout the nation, transcending linguistic barriers.
The earnestness with which the movie honoured a soldier who died while on duty without succumbing to hyper-nationalistic connotations was its lone saving grace.
When the on-screen parents (Prakash Raj and Revathy) reflect on the life of their son Sandeep. Who is portrayed with sincerity by Sesh, it is difficult to keep a knot from forming in your throat.
Ante Sundaraniki
Nani and Nazriya in ‘Ante Sundaraniki’
Critics and movie enthusiasts love the romance drama by writer-director Vivek Athreya, which stars Nani and Nazriya. The major actors and some of the ensemble cast give standout performances in Ante Sundaraniki. A social criticism disguised as comedy.
Although the main protagonists Sundar and Leela are the centre of attention. The non-linear story that jumps back and forth between their youth and the present also focuses on their families.
The main characters struggle with guilt when the web of falsehoods they have constructed starts to cut too close to the bone. And a mother (Rohini Molleti) lashes out at the comfortable hypocrisy in her family.
A sister (Tanvi Ram) questions whether her value is evaluated exclusively by her ability to become a mother. The multi-layered story is anchored by the wonderfully nuanced musical score of Vivek Sagar.
One hardly ever hears a lead male character in mainstream Telugu cinema say that childbearing is a choice, not an obligation.
HIT: The Second Case
Adivi Sesh in director Sailesh Kolanu’s ‘HIT 2’
The second picture a director makes is typically seen as a litmus test. HIT 2, written and directed by Sailesh Kolanu, starring Vishwak Sen as a brooding police officer. And also, demonstrated his ability to produce another cerebral rather than physical cop drama.
Adivi Sesh plays a cool, smart-talking cop in the sleek cop drama, which has laid the groundwork for an HIT-Verse (HIT Universe), with delicious connections to the first movie and the potential to create significant relationships with HIT 3, which will feature Nani. With HIT 3, the HIT-verse would really be put to the test.
When Sailesh worked on HIT. He was inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe and had a plan for the succeeding films in mind. Vikram, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and starring Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi,
Moreover, fahadh Faasil, and Suriya, serves as a benchmark for balancing star power and content because it connects to Lokesh’s. Previous movie Kaithi and brings back Haasan’s character from the 1986 movie of the same name. By the way, Vikram’s Telugu dub was also a success at the box office.
DJ Tillu
Siddhu Jonnalagadda in ‘DJ Tillu’
DJ Tillu was to 2022 what Jathi Ratnalu was to 2021. A crazy comedy adventure that served as a means of post-lockdown therapy through laughing. Director Vimal Krishna and lead actor Siddhu Jonnalagadda co-wrote. Tillu’s characterization based on the less-discussed potential of a street-smart Secunderabad youth.
However, the DJ’s performances are as regional as Bonalu jatara. And the contrast between his ambitious sense of fashion—inspired by Mahesh Babu—and what he is forced to work with is funny.
Thanks to Siddhu’s flamboyant performance and the amusing words he dispensed, there was lots of amusement.
Moreover, it wouldn’t be overstating things to say that almost every other conversation was turned into Instagram-worthy stuff. And the humour was regularly enjoyed. The expression “Atluntadi manathoni” (that’s how it is with us) gained popularity. The sequel to Tillu is currently under production, and pulling it off will be difficult.