There are many memorable flicks in Telugu Cinema over the past eight decades. Movie making has gone through many changes but the core storytelling principals have remained the same. As we have provided you with some best movie lists previously, in this part we will mention the best movies from Telugu Cinema that we haven’t mentioned before. Let’s dive into the details, now
This movie remains to be the best romantic story ever told on Telugu screen. The performances of NTR and Bhanumathi in their young age give us a glimpse of what was their potential when they started their careers. Bhanumathi already established herself as an actress but this movie made her a director’s delight. BN Reddy as director etched his name into history books of Telugu Cinema.
BN Reddy in 1960’s asked back then top actress Anjali Devi to play aged mother role and she pulled it off with conviction. This movie is tonally similar to Mother India but it is a different story to Hindi classic. For the performances of the leads, this movie is a must watch.
Political Satires in Telugu Cinema started way back in 1954, when devotional, mythological and folklore films were ruling the roost. Without any stars like NTR, ANR KV Reddy decided to make this movie with senior actors of the time. Relangi after becoming a busy comedian with Reddy’s Pathala Bhairavi became a all-round performer and a star actor with this film.
NTR’s first folklore film. The success of this film made him as popular as ANR, who was already a star by then. Movie became such a sensation that it launched careers of NTR, SVR as villain, character actor and Balakrishna as comedian along with Relangi. KV Reddy showed his masterful imagination in this film.
ANR became synonymous to Devadas character. Some of his later films cleverly added the elements from this character to his romances. Audience loved him in such roles that his son, Akkineni Nagarjuna did Majnu to please his fans and prove that he has lot more to offer than he did in his first film. After this 1953 classic, ANR and Savitri became a hit pair alike ANR – Anjali Devi.
ANR and NTR acted in this film as their life was dependent on it. Their competitive nature made the film a memorable piece forever and ever. ANR said in an interview back then, he did not care about commercial aspects of the film and acted as Narada to prove his versatility. Still we can see many watching the film on Shivaratri, especially.
ANR and KV Reddy combination delivered a social film classic. Donga Ramudu proves to be a true entertainer and it has all the elements that we still associate with Telugu cinema. Savithri earned the name as a versatile actress with this film as she mesmerised people with her comic timing in this one.
This movie proved what a great director NTR was. He delivered his career best performance back then as Ravana and music from the film, became iconic. Even today songs from the movie are played at events, marriage functions and ceremonies too. He narrated Lord Rama’s story till his marriage through Ravan’s perspective. Movie achieved major technical advancement too back in the day.
Movie is based on Maharashtrian devotee. NTR played King, folklore hero and mythological characters like Rama, Krishna in many films. But he proved to many that he can shine as a devotee too with his film. Songs from the movie are still heard in major events and religious gatherings. Movie turned out to be such a classic that Balakrishna couldn’t restrict himself from remaking it.
Many jokes came into existence because if this film’s name. But it became a pop culture reference because of flawless acting and direction of NTR. Jamuna supported him in this film very well. Even though the story doesn’t feel new today, the screenplay still has magic to keep us engaged throughout the runtime.
The original folklore hero of Telugu Cinema, ANR couldn’t standback and witness his peers dominate the genre that made him popular. So, he delivered an absolute classic with Suvarna Sundari. The songs from the film are still popular and story structure is still followed in some screenplays, even today. Movie became a success in Tamil and Hindi aa well. Anjali Devi – ANR pair delivered a huge blockbuster back in the day with this film again after a film like Anarkali.
Movie is more remembered for its songs or song – “Ee Jeevana Tharangalalo”. But it made sure that Vani Sree, Sobhan Babu and Krishnam Raju become popular actors at one go. After this film, Vani Sree became a star performer and Krishnam Raju needn’t had to look back at all. For Sobhan Babu this movie became a pathway to stardom by winning hearts of women.
ANR as Devadas became a box office formula from this film. Many writers and directors tried to emulate the climax portion of this film with ANR as hero in other films. That is how impactful his performance was. He and Vani Sree became a hit pair after this film.
After a huge blockbuster we see heroes struggling to entertain audiences for few years or films as expectations will be sky high. But ANR immediately after Prem Nagar delivered even bigger blockbuster in the same year with this film. The songs and his performance make the film one of the bests in Telugu Cinema.
NTR took on the challenge of acting in a role that Shivaji Ganeshan absolutely breathed life into. The movie became a melodramatic classic in Telugu Cinema in social films. NTR’s naïve man act almost equating himself to dog at the house of his uncle, makes this film a must-watch.
Chiranjeevi wanted his guru, legendary director Balachander to start his home production, Anjana Productions run by his brother, Naga Babu with a film that will remembered for years. He got his wish with the film but it did not become a commercial success. It us a classic for his next generation fans.
Khaidi became the identity of Chiranjeevi as star hero in Telugu Cinema. He managed to take the popularity given by this film to next level but he still likes to be referred to as Khaidi as he gave everything to this film and in return he got more than he could ever ask for. For its screenplay and action, movie remains a milestone in Telugu Cinema.
Only few filmmakers can we dare dream of creating such an impact with their first film. Shiva created a huge impact on Telugu Cinema and RGV is still respected by many for delivering such gangster classics that he started off with Shiva. Do we have to say more about the film?
Kamal Hassan and Balachander decided to do a film in Telugu and they just came up with a pure classic. It is still best movie from Telugu Cinema to address issues like Unemployment and youngster’s problems with bureaucracy, overbearing, undermining parents. Music from the film is still popular.
No actor got such a swan song in his last film. Manam remains a heart-warming tribute to a father from his son and from an actor to another actor. Vikram Kumar came up with a unique idea but Akkineni family owned it up to give it’s head a great memorable tribute.
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Also Read: Best Telugu Films based on True Stories
