2023 Rewind: Best Films of 2023 in Tollywood

It’s worth noting that re-releases garnered more enjoyment from audiences than the newly debuted films. The box office collections of these re-released movies surpassed those of many smaller releases. However, beyond the financial success and critical reviews of the year, let’s take a moment to highlight some movies that truly left an impression on the audience.

• Balagam

The movie titled “Balagam” remained relatively unknown until its release. Jabardast Venu marked his directorial debut with this film, produced by his daughter under the Dil Raju banner. The movie successfully brought families and individuals together through its compelling narrative. Beyond its financial success, “Balagam” also earned a cascade of awards. Bheem’s music emerged as the film’s standout asset, beautifully conveying the importance of bonds and kinship.

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• Salaar

Nearly six years after the success of “Baahubali,” Prabhas found a significant hit with the film “Salaar.” Demonstrating adept use of his on-screen presence, Prabhas managed to thoroughly satisfy his fanbase. The movie has already surpassed the 500-crore mark, propelling Prabhas towards a pivotal milestone in his career. Remarkably, this remake of Prashant Neel‘s inaugural film, “Ugram,” has set new standards and established a fresh record. Enthusiastic moviegoers are eagerly anticipating the release of the second installment.

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• Waltair Veerayya

This film served as a powerful reintroduction of Chiranjeevi‘s prowess to the Telugu audience and the box office. Despite following a conventional mass movie formula, the combination of Chiranjeevi’s impactful entry scene, engaging songs, and his chemistry with Ravi Teja propelled the film to blockbuster status, accumulating over Rs 120 crores.

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• Sir

Released without much anticipation, this film managed to create a modest sensation. Directed by Venky Atluri and featuring Dhanush in the lead role, the movie showcases the profound value of Vidya in impactful scenes. The elevations given to Dhanush in the second half are particularly noteworthy. Above all, the song “Marajaya” leaves the audience with goosebumps, adding to the film’s memorable moments.

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• Dasara

In the film “Dasara,” Nani, known for his impressive portrayals of boy-next-door characters, experienced a remarkable elevation in the role of Ooramas. Crafted against the backdrop of three powerful emotions—friendship, lust, and revenge—this movie succeeded in entertaining a wide audience. Directed by the talented filmmaker Srikanth Odela, “Dasara” introduced a fresh dimension to Nani’s acting prowess, capturing the attention of the industry and the mass audience alike.

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• Bhagavanth Kesari

Balayya‘s most recent film, “Bhagwant Kesari,” marks his second innings in roles befitting his age. Directed by Anil Ravipudi, the film not only casts Balayya in the role of a father figure to Sreeleela but also features impactful dialogues that uplift women in various ways. A notable highlight of the film is the well-crafted scene where school children explain the concept of “good touch, bad touch” to their mothers.

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• Virupaksha

“Titled ‘Virupaksha,’ this year’s standout Telugu horror film shines with Karthik Varma‘s adept direction and Sukumar‘s skillful screenplay as its main strengths. The engaging storyline also provided ample material for meme creators. Sai Dharam Tej‘s performance translated into a significant box-office success, marking a commendable comeback for him. Anish Loknath‘s music stands out as a substantial asset, contributing to the overall appeal of the film.”

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• Baby

“Creating a sensation not seen in a while, ‘Baby’ in Telugu achieved a rare feat by turning its album into a hit. The film’s concept, directed by Sairajesh, is communicated with subtlety and sensibility, avoiding unnecessary forcefulness. The only drawback was the unfortunate reaction in theaters towards certain heroine characters. Nevertheless, ‘Baby’ successfully captivated the youth with its engaging content, securing its status as a commercial blockbuster.”

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• Samajavaragamana

“Samajavaragamana” is a film that enticed audiences to head to the theaters after watching its compelling trailer. With minimal promotional efforts, the movie achieved success solely on the strength of its content. The comedic sequences featuring the duo of Sree Vishnu and Naresh struck a chord, becoming a major hit and attracting repeat audiences.

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• Polimera2

Part 1 of “Polimera” quietly premiered on Hotstar, leaving a favorable impression on the audience and building anticipation for the sequel. Although the sequel fulfilled some of those expectations, it was not without its intricacies. The initial half may have a slower pace, but the second half compensates with a compelling series of twists.

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• Mangalavaaram

Following the success of ‘RX100,’ the collaboration between Ajay Bhupathi and Payal Rajput continues with ‘Mangalavaram.’ Inspired by the Hollywood film “The Diary of a Nymphomaniac,” the second half of the movie proved to be a significant success. Its bold and audacious content stunned the audience, providing Payal Rajput with a noteworthy breakthrough in her career.

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