Telugu film industry turns 75 on Jan 26th

HYDERABAD: For three days in January, Tollywood will come to a standstill.

No shoots, dubbing or any other work related to a Telugu movie anywhere in the world will go on as the entire Telugu film fraternity is likely to attend the 75 years of Telugu film industry in the city from January 26.

For three more days, Tollywood will be rejoicing in its 75th year celebrations, which are a result of the first film ever made in Telugu, Bhatka Prahalada, way back in 1931.

The Telugu film industry moved from Kolkata to Rajamundry in 1936-37, but soon shifted to Madras (now Chennai) where it remained for several decades.

With the setting up of the Sarathi Studios here in 1955, the shifting of the industry from Madras to Hyderabad started, said noted film-maker and member of the organising committee, Tammareddy Bharadwaja.

But it was not until 1994-95 that the entire Telugu movie-making business moved to Hyderabad. Even now, about 10 per cent of the music for Telugu films is made in Chennai.

The logo for these platinum jubilee celebrations was unveiled in the city on Sunday along with the formal inauguration of the website, www.teluguchalanachitravajrotsav.com.

On the three days of the festivities, which will be held at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre, Hitex, an exhibition of photos and posters of movies made in the past 75 years will be organised.

Special seminars and workshops on film-making, which might help budding film-makers, will also be held. Special movies will be screened to pay tribute to Telugu film greats.

Except the exhibition, entry for all other events will be through tickets.

Individual tributes will be held with comperes like S P Balasubramanyam, Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh, Nagarjuna and Mahesh Babu.

Popular music directors will trace the film industry's music, Bollywood dancers are expected to jive with Telugu heroes showcasing the dancing moves of Telugu films.

Courtesy: TOI