This year saw a mix of blockbusters, underwhelming films, and surprise hits. Let’s dive into a complete analysis of the year, including top performers and surprises.
Published Date – 24 December 2024, 04:17 PM
Hyderabad: Telugu cinema, known for its versatility, larger-than-life fantasies, and massive fan following, witnessed a rollercoaster year in 2024. Unlike other industries, Telugu audiences celebrate big-star film releases like festivals. However, this year saw a mix of blockbusters, underwhelming films, and surprise hits. Let’s dive into a complete analysis of the year, including top performers and surprises.
January: The Sankranthi Blockbusters
The year began with small films like Sarkaaru Noukari and 14 Days of Love, which failed to impress. The real festival kicked off during Sankranthi with major releases on January 12-14. Mahesh Babu-Trivikram’s Guntur Kaaram delighted fans with its mix of action and entertainment. Hanu-Man, starring Teja Sajja and directed by Prashanth Varma, emerged as the year’s first big hit, becoming the fourth highest-grossing Indian film of 2024.
Other notable releases included Venkatesh-Sailesh Kolanu's Saindhav and Nagarjuna-Vijay Binni's Naa Saami Ranga. While Ravi Teja's Eagle failed at the box-office.
February: Modest Performers
February saw smaller films like Ambajipeta Marriage Band starring Suhas, Kismat with Naresh Agastya, and Yatra 2 featuring Mammootty receiving average reviews. Sandeep Kishan’s Ooru Peru Bhairavakona and Deepak Saroj’s debut film Siddharth Roy gained positive responses, while the comedy Sundaram Master added some light-hearted fun. Overall, February was not a blockbuster month.
March: Hits and Misses
March was a lucky month for Siddhu Jonnalagadda as his Tillu Square, the sequel to DJ Tillu, became a box-office hit. Sree Vishnu's Om Bheem Bush also emerged as a surprise blockbuster.
However, other films like Varun Tej's Operation Valentine, Vishwak Sen's Gaami, and Gopichand's Bhimaa failed to perform. Ram Gopal Varma's controversial political thriller Vyuham was criticized for being a political propaganda piece.
Quiet Months: April to June
The period from April to mid-June was largely uneventful. Films like Vijay Deverakonda's Family Star, Anand Deverakonda's Gam Gam Ganesha, and Sharwanand's Manamey failed to captivate audience. Even star heroines like Kajal Aggarwal's Satyabhama and Payal Rajput's Rakshana could not deliver hits.
The drought ended with Kalki 2898 AD, a masterpiece by Prabhas and Nag Ashwin, which brought pride to Telugu cinema with its record-breaking collections. Sudheer Babu’s Harom Hara also garnered praise, holding the spotlight until Kalki arrived.
July and August: Surprise Hits
July was relatively quiet, with low-key releases like Priyadarshi's Darling, The Birthday Boy and Raj Tarun's Purushothamudu. However, August brought surprises. Debut director Yadhu Vamsi's nostalgic film Committee Kurrollu received widespread acclaim. Narne Nithiin's AAY outshone biggies like Ravi Teja's Mr. Bachchan and Ram Pothineni's Double iSmart. Nani ended August with a bang through Saripodhaa Sanivaaram, a collaboration with Vivek Athreya that turned out to be a massive success.
September: Sequels Shine
September started on a sweet note with the family entertainer 35 (Chinna Katha Kaadu). The much-awaited sequel Mathu Vadalara 2 lived up to its hype with its humor and entertainment. The month ended with NTR-Koratala Siva’s Devara Part:1, which received mixed reviews but dominated the box office.
October to November: Mixed Results
October had a mix of average performers like Sudheer Babu's Maa Nanna Superhero and Gopichand's Viswan. Dulquer Salmaan's Lucky Bhaskar, directed by Venky Atluri, turned out to be a surprise hit, even breaking records on OTT platforms. Kiran Abbavaram's KA, a PAN-Indian film, earned widespread appreciation.
November, however, was bland, with films like Varun Tej’s Matka and Vishwak Sen’s Mechanic Rowdy failing to make an impact.
December: The Year’s Grand Finale
December belonged to Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2: The Rule. Directed by Sukumar, the much-awaited sequel smashed box-office records and satisfied the hunger of Telugu cinephiles. The Malayalam film Marco, set to release in Telugu on December 25, is expected to close the year on a high note.
Top 10 Telugu Grossers of 2024
1. Pushpa 2: The Rule – ₹1,340 crore (and counting)
2. Kalki 2898 AD – ₹1,200 crore
3. Devara: Part 1 – ₹521 crore
4. Hanu-Man – ₹350 crore
5. Guntur Kaaram – ₹172 crore
6. Tillu Square – ₹135 crore
7. Lucky Bhaskar – ₹106.75 crore
8. Saripodhaa Sanivaaram – ₹100 crore
9. KA – ₹53 crore
10. Or Saami Ranga – ₹37.49 crore
Telugu cinema in 2024 proved its resilience with hits like Pushpa 2, Kalki 2898 AD, and Hanu-Man. Despite some misses, the industry celebrated its highs and set the stage for a promising 2025’s line-up.
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