A new era has begun in Tollywood. Innovative directors with fresh ideas are making their mark with blockbuster hits. While established directors like Puri Jagannadh, Harish Shankar, Srinu Vaitla, Ram Gopal Varma, V.V. Vinayak, Teja, and Gunasekar are struggling without hits, the new directors are capturing audiences and box office success with their debut films. They are attracting the Telugu audience with fresh stories and unique filmmaking styles, competing strongly at the box office even against big-budget films. Who are these young directors? What films have they made? Let’s take a look.
Anji K. Maniputhra
The latest film ‘Aay‘ featuring N.T. Rama Rao’s brother-in-law, Nithiin, as the hero, marks the directorial debut of Anji K. Manikumar. Made on a modest budget, this film stood strong against big hero films like ‘Double iSmart‘, ‘Mr. Bachchan‘, and ‘Thangalan‘ at the box office, securing good collections. The director has received praise for his distinctive style set against a Godavari backdrop, blending childhood friendships, innocence, and the local humor beautifully.
Yadu Vamsi
‘Committee Kurrollu‘, produced by Mega daughter Niharika Konidela, created a sensation at the box office. This low-budget film directed by Yadu Vamsi garnered ₹17.76 crores (GROSS). It was his directorial debut, beautifully capturing a village setting with young characters. The narrative, infused with comedy and reminiscences of the 1990s, highlighted the bond among friends and the charm of rural Godavari settings, bringing acclaim to the director.
Mukesh Prajapati
The latest web series Bahishkarana, starring Anjali as a prostitute, marked the directorial debut of Mukesh Prajapati. Released on OTT platforms, the series was a hit, drawing significant viewership. The director vividly portrayed caste discrimination and the oppression of women and marginalized communities by village elders through this revenge drama.
Shouryuv
With the recent film ‘Hi Nanna‘, Shouryuv made his directorial debut, captivating audiences with his approach to a typical subject. He skillfully depicted the relationship between a father and daughter, evoking deep emotions. His impact was evident as the film not only received positive reviews but also performed well at the box office, indicating his promising future as a director.
Kalyan Shankar
The recent hit youth entertainer ‘MAD‘ was the debut venture of director Kalyan Shankar, which became a solid success. His first attempt proved his potential future in directing, captivating the college-going crowd with fun-filled scenes and witty dialogues that resonated well with the youth.
Karthik Dandu
With the film ‘Virupaksha‘, Karthik Dandu stepped into the industry as a director, choosing a unique horror thriller concept that received acclaim. Featuring mega hero Sai Dharam Tej in the lead role, the film not only drew praises for Dandu’s direction but also raked in up to ₹100 crores at the box office, establishing him as a promising new director in the industry.
Srikanth Odela
Nani’s ‘Dasara‘ film, grossing over ₹100 crores, was directed by debutant Srikanth Odela. Achieving a massive success with his first film, he attracted the attention of producers. Currently, he has not announced his next film, but Nani has praised his ability to produce outstanding cinema.
Venu Yeldandi
Initially entering the industry as a comedian, Venu transitioned to directing with the film ‘Balagam‘, securing a blockbuster hit. His success filled producer Dil Raju’s coffers, leading to readiness among producers to back his scripts. It is rumored that Venu will direct another film under Dil Raju’s banner, possibly with hero Nani.
Prasanth Varma
Director Prasanth Varma entertained the audience with unique narrative films like ‘Awe!’, ‘Kalki‘, and ‘Zombie Reddy‘. With ‘Hanu Man‘, he became a Pan-India director, delivering a blockbuster that overshadowed films by stars like Mahesh, Venkatesh, and Nagarjuna during the 2024 Sankranthi season.
Gowtam Tinnanuri
Gowtam Tinnanuri introduced himself as a director with the film ‘Jersey‘ starring Nani, which was a blockbuster hit and brought a shower of praises for Nani’s performance. Gowtam’s direction was highly recognized, and his debut film ensured that heroes and producers noticed him. He is currently directing ‘VD12‘ with Vijay Deverakonda, featuring Bhagyashri Borse as the heroine.
Buchi Babu Sana
With his debut film ‘Uppena‘, director Buchi Babu Sana caught everyone’s attention. His next film announcement with Ram Charan surprised everyone, and it will feature Janhvi Kapoor as the heroine in a sports drama backdrop.
Tharun Bhascker
Known for ‘Pelli Choopulu‘ and entertaining everyone with ‘Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi‘, director Tharun Bhascker has excelled not only as a director but also as a dialogue writer. With ‘Meeku Maathrame Cheptha’, he also stepped into acting. His recent film, a youthful comedy entertainer ‘Keedaa Cola‘, continues to secure his future in the industry.
