Interestingly, in the last few years, the trend in Tollywood has been either horror comedies or films reflecting family sentiment. And if one film became a hit, the others usually followed suit. After the success of Dookudu many films like Mirchi, Govindudu Andari Vadele, Balupu, S/o Satyamurthy, Srimanthudu and Pataas were made. Likewise, many horror films were released after the success of Mantra, Raghava Lawrence’s Kanchana, Geethanjali and Raju Gari Gadhi.
“Many in Tollywood end up following a trend. My film Nene Raju Nene Mantri has a political backdrop. It’s the journey of a person called Jogendra, played intensely by Rana Daggubati,” says Teja, the director of the film adding,
Jr NTR
“The protagonist in the film hails from Anantapur, where many important scenes were shot.”
The other big upcoming film is Mahesh Babu starrer Bharat Ane Nenu directed by Koratala Siva.
“My film has a political backdrop, but it does not target any party or person. There are emotions, family drama and also romance, but no satirical dialogues,” says Koratala Siva, adding that the plot of the film has been on his mind since long and he has developed it as a full script recently. Mahesh Babu is reportedly playing a Chief Minister in the political-thriller.
The comedy drama Dhee directed by Srinu Vaitla, was also followed by several similar films for a few years after, with every director coming out with the same kind of concept.
“We created it first and then many films followed. The trend is not only in Tollywood, but across all the industries. Take a look at Hindi cinema, where plenty of biopics have been made in the last few years. Now, almost all the stars have done a biopics there,” says writer Kona Venkat, adding that political films may be a trend in the coming days.
“If a film is made with a concept-based subject and is successful, it means that the audience is encouraging such kind of films. Others, too, will obviously try to follow the same. And if you look at films that have been made recently, the action part has been considerably reduced when compared to the last few years. After my film Ninnu Kori, many now want feel good subjects,” adds Kona Venkat, who also penned the story for Jai Lava Kusa.
“Yes, there are a few political scenes,” he confirms. Jr NTR is playing three roles in the film and one of his characters is set against the mines backdrop with a political connection.
Meanwhile, Nandamuri Kalyan Ram is doing a film titled MLA with Manchi Lakshanalunna Abbayi as the tagline, and a source reveals that the protagonist wants to become an MLA.
“He contests in the elections and wants to be elected as an MLA for the sake of his love interest,” says the source, adding that although the film’s backdrop is political, it is not satirical or targeted at anyone.
Yet another film is Manchu Vishnu’s Voter, which talks about the importance of votes. “The movie shows how present day political parties behave to secure votes, and includes many incidents related to the present political scenario,” says the source.
Seems like in the coming days, one can see many political dramas unfolding on the big screen, with several big names from Tollywood starring in them.
Kona Venkat
If a film is made with a concept-based subject and is successful, it means that the audience is encouraging such kind of films. Others too will obviously try to follow the same. If you look at films that have been made recently, the action part has been considerably reduced when compared to the last few years. After my film Ninnu Kori, many now want feel good subjects — Kona Venkat.
Koratala Siva
My film Bharat Ane Nenu (which reportedly has Mahesh Babu playing a Chief Minister) has a political backdrop, but it does not target any party or person. There are emotions, drama and also romance. The plot of the film has been on my mind since long, and I have developed it as a full script recently
— Koratala Siva
