Telugu films have never been credited for being the best among the rest, in fact even the audience treat them as run of the mill comedy entertainers. That is the reason, a film like Bahubali or Kanche became so special for what they were. They were termed as special efforts and looked upon as the best movies of the year and decade as well. They consequently won National recognition as well. But this was not always the case with Telugu Cinema. The early years and decades were filled with historicals, Folklores, Fantasies and devotional films along with well made social films. The pull of a film increased due to such diversity and the special efforts. Lava Kusa became a historical hit in Telugu Cinema along with Mayabazaar, not just because of the casting but due to the music and effort put in by many intelligent makers.
When it comes to historicals, Telugu Cinema was blessed with films like Mahakavi Kalidasu, Amarasilpi Jakkanna, Bobbili Yuddam, Balaraju, Palanati Yuddam, Mahamantri Timmarasu, Bhakta Jayadev, Bhakta Tukaram, Mahakavi Kshetrayya, Sri Ramadasu, Annamayya, Shirdi Sai Mahatyam, Chanakya Chandragupta, Yogi Vemana, Bhakta Potana, Srinadha Kavisarvabhowma, Bhakta Kannappa, Tandra Paparayudu and Vishwanadha Nayakudu. These films were few and far in between the regular folklore and mythological films as well as fantasises and Social films. Many of these films have become great sensational hits at the box office and were condemened for being historically inaccurate at times. But the kind of execution that these films boasted off made them rememberable and great. Krish is the only director in present generation who dared to bring out the history of Telugu people regarding their participation in World WarII with Kanche and supposed story of a Telugu King, Gautamiputra Satakarni.
While Kanche was, from the first frame said to be a fiction added to history, the case of Gautamiputra Satakarni was publicised differently. It is said to be the Telugu history that is being showcased on screen for the first time. And there were many claims by the director and producers of the movie about it being the forgotten history of an unsung hero. The historians have started taking an offence to these claims. In one of the interviews, Krish said that history is nothing but the way you interpret it and as many have written during the times, writers might have favoured some one while making the other look cowardly and unworthy. This is the part of history I believed in and In interpreted. Historians did not like such claim. The Telangana archeologist society demanded that the movie, Gautamiputra Satakarni to be stripped off of the tax exemption granted for it being a Telugu King’s story citing several historical inaccuracies. For instance, they have taken offence to the claims of Satakarni being a Telugu person and dismissed it by saying he is a Maharashtrian.
They even said he was called Gautamiputra not because he respected his mother so much, but for ease to remember him from many kin of the King. They further claim that Nahapana was killed by Gautamiputra Satakarni to avenge his father but not to realise the dream of his mother or an united India. They said that Satakarni never touched Magadha or even further down southern settlements. His kingdom and rule was limited to Deccan and some of the accomplishments that were said to be achieved by Satakarni, were factually belonged to Pulomavi generation. Siting all these reasons they have opened a big discussion among several movie buffs and history enthusiasts if the movie is factual or just fiction. Anyways, the movie did open a discussion about the bygone era and finding several answers to the questions would only help the cause of Telugu people.
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