The year 2024 has been significant for Telugu cinema. The film industry witnessed major successes at the box office, culminating in the biggest hit of the year, Pushpa 2: The Rule. However, the film’s release also had a tragic consequence — a woman named Revathi died in a stampede at the film’s premiere in Hyderabad, which was attended by Allu Arjun. The incident not only escalated tensions between the Telangana government and the Telugu film industry, but it also sparked conversations about the fan culture in the Telugu states and the role of big stars in perpetuating it.
In terms of sheer storytelling and craft, this wasn’t the most favourable year for Telugu cinema. While we cannot predict how many of this year’s highly successful films will stand the test of time, here are some of our favourites.
Gaami
Delving into relatively unexplored themes in Telugu cinema, director Vidyadhar Kagita’s debut feature Gaami makes for a gripping watch. With its eerie, otherworldly atmosphere, the film is equal parts an occult thriller, science fiction, body horror, and a social issue drama. It flits back and forth between the lives of Shankar (Vishwak Sen), a trainee aghora (a Hindu Shaivite ascetic); Uma (Harika Pedada), a young girl who is the daughter of a Devadasi in Andhra Pradesh; and an unnamed boy, labelled CT-333 (Mohammad Samad), trapped in an unethical medical experimentation centre along the Indo-China border. The film is quite rewarding for the most part.
Tillu Square
A sequel to DJ Tillu (2022), Tillu Square offers more of the same outrageous yet likeable Tillu, played by Siddhu Jonnalagadda. The sequel remains unserious, introducing yet another femme fatale, this time Anupama Parameshwaran’s Lily. Unlike many mindless sequels that merely seek to capitalise on the familiarity or brand value of their predecessors, Tillu Square builds on the events of the first film, and despite a somewhat weak plot, Siddhu carries the film with his easy-going comic performance. Although the film’s humour often hinges on the double-crossing woman who breaks Tillu’s heart, it manages to be funny without resorting to overt misogyny.
Saripodhaa Sanivaaram
Directed by Vivek Athreya, Saripodhaa Sanivaaram is a gripping drama that pits two contrasting personalities against each other: Surya (Nani), a calm LIC agent who unleashes his anger on wrongdoers only on Saturdays, and Dayanand (SJ Suryah), a ruthless police officer who vents his fury indiscriminately. Set in the fictional village of Sokula Palem, inspired by the stigmatised community of Stuartpuram, the film weaves a tale of prejudice, justice, and confrontation. The story is cleverly written, with unexpected twists and a consistent build-up of drama. Nani delivers a nuanced performance as the dual-natured Surya, while SJ Suryah impresses as the unhinged officer. The cat-and-mouse game between Surya and Dayanand keeps the audience thoroughly entertained.
Lucky Baskhar
Venky Atluri’s Lucky Baskhar stands out as one of the most seamlessly written films of the year, featuring brilliant dialogues and stellar performances by Dulquer Salmaan, Meenakshi Chaudhary, and Rithvik. Set in 1992 against the backdrop of the Harshad Mehta stock market scandal, the film delves into the rise and fall of Baskhar (Dulquer Salmaan), a bank employee driven to illegal means in his quest to escape poverty and earn respect. Venky Atluri skillfully weaves drama, suspense, and emotion into this captivating con-thriller.Pushpa 2: Even an all-out Allu Arjun cannot shoulder this overdone sequel
Pushpa 2: The Rule
Another sequel on our list, Pushpa 2 makes for a bit of a faltering follow-up to the first instalment, Pushpa: The Rise. While Allu Arjun’s stardom was the biggest, though not the only, attraction in the first film, Pushpa 2 sidelines other characters and plot integrity to make way for the star. But despite these flaws, the film makes for an engaging watch for the most part, thanks to Allu Arjun’s conviction in playing the sandalwood smuggling kingpin. As of December 29, the film has grossed over Rs 1,100 crore in India, and over Rs 1,750 crore globally at the box office.
Read: Pushpa 2: Even an all-out Allu Arjun cannot shoulder this overdone sequel
