Telugu, Tamil films kept cash register ringing down south (Flashback 2009)

BANGALORE - The southern film industry, estimated at Rs.17.3 billion, accounts for over 75 percent of revenue from film content. Just like the previous year, this time too the maximum hits came from Telugu and Tamil cinema. Some Malayalam and Kannada films also scored well at the box office.

IANS picks 10 fiction and southern movies shows that sent the cash registers ringing at the box office.

1. “Magadheera” (Telugu) Director: S.S. Raja Mouli; Cast: Ram Charan Teja and Kajal Agarwal.

“Magadheera” is being hailed as the biggest blockbuster in the history of the Telugu film industry. Directed by S.S. Raja Mouli and produced by Allu Arvind, the film starred Ram Charan Teja, son of Telugu film industry megastar Chiranjeevi and Mumbai- based Kajal Agarwal. The computer graphics, Keervani’s music and the fantastic visuals were the highlights of the film that has become a blockbuster in Andhra Pradesh and other states in the country. The film has so far earned more than Rs.75 crore (Rs.750 million)and is a hit abroad as well.

2. “Arundathi” (Telugu) Director: Kodi Rama Krishna; Cast: Anushka, Sonu Sood and Shaji Shinde.

Another Telugu film that hit the jackpot is “Arundathi”. Producer Shyam Prasad Reddy released the film on his own in the region and earned huge profits. The distributors in neighbouring states made huge profits too. The film boasts of brilliant performances by Sonu Sood and Shaji Shinde. The flash back sequences were one of the major attractions. It is said to have earned more than Rs.60 crore.

3. “Kick” (Telugu) Director: Surendra Reddy; Cast: Ravi Teja, Ilaena and Shyam.

Ravi Teja became a leading hero of the Telugu film industry thanks to his peculiar dialogue delivery and mass appeal. Director Surendra Reddy is known for his stylish presentation of films. “Kick” became a big hit in the Telugu film industry. Made at a budget of about Rs.18 crore, the film was able to rake in around Rs.30 crore the world over.

4. “Ayan” (Tamil film): Director: K.V.Anand; Cast: Surya and Tamannah.

The film, made under the banner of AVM Productions, became the biggest grosser in the Tamil film industry. Surya, who is growing in stature ever since his “Khakka Khakka” became a hit, played a contract criminal in it. Tamanna oozed a lot of glamour in the film directed by cameraman-turned-director K.V. Anand. The film is considered as the biggest hit after Rajnikant’s “Sivaji” and Kamal Haasan’s “Dasavatharam “. It raked in over Rs.35 crore.

5. “Nadodigal” (Tamil film); Director: Samuthirakani. Cast: Shashikumar, Ananya and Abhinaya.

“Nadodigal” was inspired by “Subramaniapuram” that released last year. Shashikumar, who had directed “Subramaniapuram”, played main lead in the film, while Samuthirakani directed it. Though the film was made with a reasonable budget of Rs.7 crore that included publicity and prints cost, it fetched huge profits for the producer, distributors and exhibitors. The fresh concept, melodious music and good performances by the newcomers helped in making it a success. It earned around Rs.22 crore.

6. “Unnai Pol Oruvan” (Tamil-Telugu); Director: Chakri Tholeti; Cast: Kamal Haasan and Mohan Lal.

A remake of critically acclaimed Hindi film “A Wednesday”, it was a co-production of UTV and Raj Kamal International. RED Camera was used in the film, a first in the southern film industry. Though the exact figure is not known, the film did rake in enough profits.

7. “Manasaare” (Kannada); Director: Yogaraj Bhat; Cast: Diganth and Aindrita Ray.

The Kannada film industry was going through one of the worst phases in its 75-year-old history. But “Manasaare” bailed it out. It became a hit because of the fresh storyline and innovative narrative. The film, shot completely in Karnataka, was produced by Rockline Venkatesh and directed by Yogaraj Bhat. Mano Murthy’s music and Sathya Hegde’s camera work were the major attractions in the film. Aindrita looked glamorous and Diganth was lively. Made at a budget of around Rs.2.5 crore, “Manasaare” earned Rs.5 crore.
“Ambari” (Kannada) Director: Arjun; Cast: Yogi, Sampreetha

Made at a budget of Rs.2 crore, “Ambari” was an unexpected hit. The film was made with lesser known stars but hit the jackpot mainly because the music content and the off beat story appealed to the vieweres. It has collected Rs.5 crore at the ticket window.

9. “Pazhassi Raja” (Malayalam) Director: Hari Haran; Cast: Mammootty, Sharath Kumar, Kanniha, and Padmapriya.

It was an expensive film in terms of investment. The producers invested Rs.20 crore in “Pazhassi Raja”. The film about a freedom fighter has not only become a trendsetter but created a history at the box office.

10. “Pudhiya Mukham” (Malayalam); Director: Diphan; Cast: Prithwiraj, Priyamani and Meera Nandan.

“Pudhiya Mukham” gave an image makevoer to the lead actor Prithwiraj. The film grossed more than Rs.20 crore throughout Kerala and is considered as the biggest hit for Prithwiraj. After the film’s success, the actor’s fan club has become bigger. He teamed up with his lucky mascot Priyamani in it. Deepak Dev’s music was another major attraction. It was certainly a big boost for director Diphan.

(V.S. Rajapur can be contacted at rgv1951@gmail.com)