The movie “Kalki 2898 AD,” starring Prabhas as the hero, has made a significant impact in theaters, becoming a box office sensation. This success can be credited to director Nag Ashwin and the production house “Vyjayanthi Movies.” Producer Aswani Dutt undertook this ambitious project with determination, despite its escalating budget, aiming for high-quality results. He granted director Nag Ashwin full financial freedom. With a budget exceeding 600 crores, Kalki stands as one of India’s most expensive films. Currently, Vyjayanthi Movies is gaining nationwide recognition for delivering visual spectacles like Kalki.
Vyjayanthi Movies Journey
Aswani Dutt started his journey as a producer with a film starring his favorite hero, Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao. He established Vyjayanthi Movies and featured NTR in the avatar of Krishna as its logo. The company made its mark in the industry with the 1975 film “Eduruleni Manishi.” Despite initial struggles, the banner did not hesitate to deliver blockbuster films, creating a significant impact in the Telugu film industry. What are those blockbuster films? Let’s see what mark they have made in the Telugu film industry.
Agni Parvatam
“Agni Parvatam” is one of the super hit films released under the Vyjayanthi Movies banner. Starring Superstar Krishna in dual roles with Radha and Vijayashanti as the heroines, this film, directed by K. Raghavendra Rao, achieved great success at that time. Superstar Krishna showcased a formidable acting presence. This film stands as a milestone in Krishna’s career. His dialogue “Aggi Pettunda?” became very popular back then, as did the song “Kaduluthunna Agniparvatam,” which introduced a fresh side of Krishna. The movie’s plot revolves around Jamadagni, who resents his father for abandoning his mother, but his enemies bring his step-uncle into play to create problems. What happens next forms the plot.
Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari
“Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari” proved that Vyjayanthi Movies could produce not just routine films but also experimental films. This unforgettable film in Megastar’s career was crafted in the socio-fantasy genre and collected huge amounts at the box office. Despite facing floods in united Andhra Pradesh before its release, the film recorded a massive success. Made with a budget of 2 crores, it garnered 15 crores in its time. The melodious songs provided by Ilayaraja are still enchanting to this day. The plot revolves around Raju, who shelters four orphans and works as a guide. One day, unexpectedly, he finds a ring belonging to Indra’s daughter, Indraja, who comes back to earth for the ring. What happens next forms the story.
Shubhalagnam
This film, starring Jagapathi Babu, Aamani, and Roja, was made with a unique concept and proved that happiness in married life does not depend on money. A wife who sells her husband for money eventually changes and retrieves him. This concept was well received by family audiences at the time. The song “Chilaka E Thodu Leka” earned Sirivennela the Nandi Award for Best Lyricist. The story revolves around Radha who marries her husband to a wealthy woman named Lata for money, eventually obtaining one crore rupees. However, over time, she realizes that a life without her husband is worthless.
Govinda Govinda
“Govinda Govinda,” a collaboration between Nagarjuna and Ram Gopal Varma, was a blockbuster success. The story revolves around the crown of Lord Venkateswara, providing a fresh experience to the Telugu audience. Sridevi mesmerized the Telugu audience in this film. The plot involves Lord Venkateswara deciding to resolve a chaotic situation on earth using a divine weapon. However, the situation deteriorates when a group of thieves steal the jewels on this weapon.
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Rajakumarudu
Vyjayanthi Movies introduced superstar Mahesh Babu as a hero through their banner. His debut film as a lead actor, “Rajakumarudu,” was produced by producer Aswani Dutt. This film received the Nandi Award for Best Family Film and played in many centers for over 100 days. The plot is as follows: Raj comes to enjoy his vacation and falls in love with Rani. However, due to family pressure, he leaves her. Who is Rani? What is the feud between her family and Raj’s family? How do they eventually unite?
Indra
The film “Indra” elevated Megastar Chiranjeevi’s fame to a new level, in which he played a factionist for the first time. Producer Ashwani Dutt received a rain of cash from this film, which also earned Chiranjeevi the Nandi Award for Best Actor in 2002. The plot revolves around ongoing dominance battles between two families in Rayalaseema. To solve the water crisis for the people, Indra agrees to marry the rival’s sister. Cutting to the chase, for a simple life, Indra, under an alias, escapes to Kashi. Why did Indra go to Kashi? How did he avenge his rivals?
Student No. 1
Director Rajamouli was introduced to the industry by producer Ashwani Dutt. Tarak starred as the hero in Rajamouli’s debut film “Student No. 1,” which was produced under Vyjayanthi Movies’ sub-banner, Swapna Cinema. This film was shown in 73 centers for 50 days and in 42 centers for more than 100 days. The film, made with a budget of Rs. 1.85 crores, earned Rs. 12 crores. The plot goes as follows: Aditya desires to become an engineer, but his father insists he become a lawyer. Disliking law, Aditya ends up in trouble trying to save a girl while going to write an exam. His father kicks him out of the house. What happens next?
Maharshi
Mahesh Babu starred in “Maharshi” alongside Pooja Hegde and Allari Naresh, with Ashwani Dutt also serving as a producer. Nominated in 10 categories at the SIIMA Awards for 2019, the film won 5 awards. The plot is as follows: Rishi, a CEO of a multinational company, learns about the sacrifice his friend Ravi made for him during their college days. Searching for him, Rishi goes to the village and finds that Ravi is in trouble. What did Rishi do next? How did he support his friend?
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Sita Ramam
The 2022 film “Sita Ramam” was a huge success, known to all. Directed by Hanu Raghavapudi and produced by Ashwani Dutt, this film made Mrunal Thakur an overnight star heroine. With a budget of Rs. 30 crores, “Sita Ramam” grossed between Rs. 91-98 crores at the box office. The plot is as follows: Ram, an army officer and an orphan, receives a flood of letters after mentioning this on the radio. A large family forms around him. One woman continuously writes to him addressing him as her husband, Seetamahalakshmi. Who is she? From where did the wife of an orphan like Ram come? What experiences did Ram face when he came to meet her?
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Kalki 2898 AD
Producer Ashwani Dutt produced “Kalki 2898 AD” under the Vyjayanthi Movies banner, a prestigious and high-budget film. This movie was made in the mythology and futuristic genres. In this film, Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan played the role of Ashwatthama, and Kamal Haasan appeared as the villain. Disha Patani and Deepika Padukone also played key roles.
Vyjayanthi Movies’ Sub-Banner Hits
Baanam
Priyanka Dutt, daughter of Ashwani Dutt, produced the film “Baanam” under the Three Angels banner, introducing Nara Rohith as the hero. The plot is as follows: Bhagat, the son of a former Naxalite, lives in a small town. He decides to become an IPS officer to protect the people from local gangster atrocities. What happened next? Did he achieve his goal?
Sarocharu
Produced by Priyanka Dutt, “Sarocharu” captivated audiences as a feel-good entertainer. Ravi Teja, Kajal, and Richa Gangopadhyay played the lead roles. The plot is as follows: Sandhya loves Karthik, but she finds out he is already married. What is Karthik’s past? Did Karthik and Sandhya end up together?
OTT Platforms: Hotstar & Aha
Yevade Subramanyam
“Nag Ashwin’s debut film “Yevade Subramanyam” featured Nani and Vijay Deverakonda in leading roles. This movie brought recognition to Nag Ashwin as a talented director. The plot is as follows: Subramanyam, a materialistic man, goes to the Himalayas to fully understand life. During this journey, he changes his perspective on relationships.
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Mahanati
Swapna Dutt, Ashwani Dutt’s second daughter, produced “Mahanati” under the Swapna Cinema banner, also directed by Nag Ashwin of Kalki fame. This film, based on the life story of legendary actress Savitri, explores how Savitri entered the industry, the impact actor Gemini Ganesan had on her life, and the struggles she faced towards the end of her life.
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Jathi Ratnalu
Under the sub-banner of Vyjayanthi Movies, “Swapna Cinema,” “Jathi Ratnalu” was produced. The plot is as follows: Three young men from their village come to Hyderabad in search of good jobs and stay in an apartment. They unexpectedly attend an uninvited party and get entangled in a murder attempt case. How did they escape from the case?
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