
Cinema is a boundless art form that frequently reflects real-life scenarios and illuminates societal issues. Many films, deeply entrenched in local settings, have garnered acclaim for their authentic portrayal of regional languages, characters, and environments. In Tollywood, a variety of films have vividly captured the essence of the Telugu states. Let's delve into some of these interesting films.



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Pushpa



Directed by Sukumar and featuring Allu Arjun, 'Pushpa' is set primarily in the Seshachalam forests near Tirupati and captures the essence of the nearby Chittoor areas. In the film, Allu Arjun is authentically portrayed as one among the village, adopting the Chittoor dialect.







Guntur Kaaram



In Mahesh Babu's recent movie, 'Guntur Kaaram,' the title itself highlights its setting in the region of Andhra Pradesh. The film prominently features Guntur and its environs, with frequent mentions of the town's name, underscoring Mahesh Babu's character's origins from Guntur.







Balagam



Starring Priyadarshi and directed by Venu Yeldandi of Jabardasth fame, 'Balagam' was a huge success last year. The film mirrored the villages of Telangana, depicting the relationships among villagers and the rituals followed during funerals.







Rangasthalam



The movie 'Rangasthalam,' a collaboration between Ram Charan and director Sukumar, is set in the transport villages of the Godavari region during the 1980s. Ram Charan, playing the role of Chittibabu, vividly brings to life a young man from the Godavari districts, enchanting audiences with his authentic dialect and language.







Dasara



In the film 'Dasara,' starring Nani, the influence of the Peddapalli/Ramagundam areas of Telangana is evident. Nani skillfully delivers dialogues in the local language, enhancing the film’s authenticity. Director Srikanth Odela captures the daily lives of those residing near the Singareni coal mines. The portrayal resonated well with local audiences, who expressed their appreciation for the film's depiction of their region.







Colour Photo



Released on OTT during the COVID period, 'Colour Photo' emerged as a successful love story set against the backdrop of Konaseema, beautifully showcasing the region to the Telugu audience. This film also marked the transformation of comedian Suhas into a leading hero.







Uppena



The film 'Uppena,' featuring young actor Panja Vaishnav Tej and directed by Buchi Babu, achieved significant success. It portrayed the lives of fishermen in the coastal areas of Kakinada, highlighting the challenges they face during their fishing endeavors.







Kotha Bangaru Lokam



Directed by Srikanth Addala and starring Varun Sandesh, 'Kotha Bangaru Lokam' was filmed extensively, with over 50% shot in Rajahmundry and its surroundings. The film captures the profound love that parents in these areas have for their children and the purity of their hearts.







Virata Parvam



Starring Rana and Sai Pallavi, 'Virata Parvam' is set in Naxal-affected regions, primarily during 1990-92 in the agency areas of the Mulugu district. The film portrays how people's lives were intertwined with the influences of politicians, Maoists, and police during that period.







Ismart Shankar



Directed by Puri Jagannadh and featuring Ram Pothineni, 'Ismart Shankar' is set in the Old City area. The hero's dialogue and expressions authentically mirror those of the local residents. Nabha Natesh, who plays the heroine, notably identifies herself repeatedly as a girl from Warangal, adding depth to her character.







C/o Kancharapalem



Directed by Maha Venkatesh, 'C/o Kancharapalem' made a significant impact upon its release. The film is set in North Andhra and features a dialect typical of the Vizianagaram district. Key roles were performed by Karthik Ratnam, Raju, Radha Bessy, and Praneeta Patnaik, who brought the characters to life with their authentic portrayals.







Raja Vaaru Rani Gaaru



'Raja Vaaru Rani Gaaru,' featuring Kiran Abbavaram, captures the essence of the twin Godavari districts beautifully. The film showcases the pristine environment of local villages, providing audiences with a vivid depiction of rural life. To truly appreciate the native culture of the Godavari region, this film is a must-watch.







Films shot near Godavari



Tollywood has a rich history of films set in the Godavari districts. The flowing Godavari river features prominently in many scenes from movies such as 'Sitaara', 'Ladies Tailor', 'Attili Sattibabu', 'Bendu Apparao', and 'Shatamanam Bhavati', all of which showcase the scenic backdrop of the Godavari.


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Cast: Ram Karthik, Shining Kashvi, Nakshatra Naina, Chitram Srinu, Dayanand Reddy, Gandhi Sammet, Naga Mahesh, Shining Fani, and others.



Director: Manoj Palleti



Music: Samarth Gollapudi



Cinematography: Sairam Uday



Editor: Jaswin Prabhu



Producers: Padmanabha Reddy, Ashok Reddy



Release Date: 18-10-2024



The latest film 'Veekshanam' features Ram Karthik and Kashvi as the lead pair. Directed by Manoj Palleti, it is produced by P. Padmanabha Reddy and Ashok Reddy under the banner of Padmanabha Cine Arts. The released trailers and teasers have already heightened expectations. The film was released on October 18. How did it fare? Did it captivate the Telugu audience? Let's find out.







What's the story?



Arvin (Ram Karthik), who lives in a gated community in Hyderabad, has a keen interest in knowing what his neighbors are up to. He often uses binoculars to peer into their plots. During this, he falls in love with Neha (Kashvi) he sees in one house. As tensions arise between them, Arvin shifts his focus to another house where he spots a suspicious-looking girl. People come and go from her house daily. When he decides to learn more by visiting her house, he shockingly finds the girl dead, and it appears she has been so for eight months. Who was the girl Arvin saw every day? Who was visiting her house? Was it suicide or murder? To find out, you have to watch the movie.







How did they perform?



Ram Karthik perfectly fits the role of an average young man, captivating as someone curious about his neighbors. He impressed with both his acting and action sequences. Kashvi, as the heroine, marked her presence with her glamour, confidently delivering her performance despite it being her debut. Bindu Noothaki also stood out in a significant role, making a strong impact despite limited screen time. Gandhi Sammet, Chitram Srinu, and Naga Mahesh made their presence felt even in brief appearances. Other cast members performed well within their roles.







How's the direction?



Many people show more interest in others' affairs than their own, a concept director Manoj Palleti effectively shapes this movie around. The first half feels routine with the love track between the hero and heroine. However, from the interval, the director escalates the intrigue. The movie maintains this tempo till the end, thrilling both the protagonist and the audience with ongoing murders and the revelation that the suspected girl had died eight months ago. Some scenes might feel slow, but the director keeps the main story engaging. The climax particularly stands out from the routine films of recent times, establishing Manoj Palleti as a promising director in his debut film.







Technically Speaking



On the technical front, music director Samarth Gollapudi excelled. His background score elevates the scenes beautifully, and the songs also capture the audience's interest. The cinematography is impressive. Editing could have been tighter to enhance the film's pacing. Production values are commendable.







Plus Points



- Story and narration



- Ram Karthik's acting



- Music



Minus Points



- Some scenes are boring



- Editing



Telugu.yousay.tv Rating: 2.5/5


Veekshanam Movie Review: A Gripping Thriller on Curiosity and Consequences


In the massive budget pan-India film 'Devara: Part 1', Jr NTR stars in the title role under the direction of Koratala Siva. The film, set to be released in two parts, is ramping up its promotions with just 22 days left until its release. As part of this effort, the third single from the film was released on Wednesday (September 4). Currently making waves on social media, the 'Daavudi' song is also facing significant trolling, surprising both the Devara team and Tarak's fans. Let’s delve into the accolades and criticisms the 'Daavudi' song has garnered.



Daavudi with a Peppy Beat



Following the recently released songs 'Fear' and 'Chuttamalle' from 'Devara', which captivated music lovers, naturally, high expectations surrounded the third song. Fulfilling these, the makers released the full video song 'Daavudi' on the evening of Wednesday (September 4). In this track, Tarak electrified the audience with his energetic performance, matched step for step by Bollywood beauty Janhvi Kapoor. The song, composed by Anirudh with his signature peppy beats, features lyrics by Ramajogayya Sastry in Telugu, with vocals provided by Nakash Aziz and Akash.







Record Views on YouTube...



The 'Daavudi' song has received special recognition on YouTube, amassing 25 million views before even 24 hours had passed. The Devara team celebrated this milestone by releasing a special poster. Currently, the 'Daavudi' song is trending at number one nationally on YouTube, quickly approaching 50 million views as the hours pass.




https://twitter.com/DevaraMovie/status/1831578339078787537




Mesmerizing Dance



Tarak’s dance in the 'Daavudi' song stands out as a major highlight, elevating the song to another level with his dynamic steps choreographed by Shekhar Master. Tarak performed even the most challenging moves with ease, reminiscent of his energetic performance in the 'Naatu Naatu' song from 'RRR'. Janhvi Kapoor, too, matched Tarak step for step, proving her mettle as a dancer. Social media is abuzz with praise for both their performances, especially lauding Tarak, with a fan’s post comparing his energy to that from a decade ago going viral. Cinematographer Ratnavelu revealed via the X platform that Tarak endured muscle pain during the 'Daavudi' song shoot but still managed to dance spectacularly, earning immense admiration.




https://twitter.com/krrishnolan/status/1831335770289820070





https://twitter.com/Thyview/status/1831302488340725836




Persistent Trolls



While the 'Daavudi' song from 'Devara' has garnered praise, it has not escaped criticism. Some netizens are heavily trolling the song, commenting that Anirudh’s composition was lackluster. Posts are comparing it to 'Arabic Kuthu' from Vijay’s 'Beast', noting similarities in the steps performed by Vijay and Tarak. There are also personal attacks on NTR, with trolls commenting on his height compared to Janhvi Kapoor, suggesting that she had to bend down to match steps with him. Some are highlighting that Tarak wore shoes resembling high heels in the 'Daavudi' song, drawing mixed reactions of admiration and criticism.




https://twitter.com/iam_venkatsai_/status/1831547990722671066





https://twitter.com/Sunnykesh/status/1831302199160299619




Devara in Theaters on September 27



The second film 'Devara' directed by Koratala Siva starring NTR, follows their previous collaboration, 'Janatha Garage'. Earlier, Koratala Siva worked as a writer for the film 'Brindavanam'. Fans of Tarak and moviegoers are eagerly anticipating the magic these two will create again. NTR’s brother, actor Nandamuri Kalyan Ram, is serving as the presenter for 'Devara', which will release worldwide in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam on September 27.






How was the movie?