2008: Top 5 Telugu films

The year end is usually the time when moviemakers sit back and analyze the success or failure of their films.�This year threw up a number of surprises; Telugu audiences started to come of age this year and�developed a discerning taste in the kind of films they appreciated. Many big budget films starring mega-stars were given the thumbs down�while audiences preferred the offerings of debutant directors with new stories.

Ashta Chemma, starring an all Telugu-speaking cast, was directed by Mohan Indragranti. The movie, an inspired adaptation of ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ by Oscar Wilde was a laugh riot, superbly scripted by Indragranthi, who gave Telugu audiences off-the-wall hits like Grahanam. The film introduced a natural-born comedian, Srinvasa Adivala and showcased the latent talents of Naina, Swati and Bhargavi (who was murdered just a few weeks ago).

Jalsa, Pawan Kalyan’s longed-for mega-hit after 4 long years, came at a very opportune time. With the launch of�brother Chiranjeevi’s party, Pawan Kalyan was made president of the youth wing of the Praja Rajyam, called Yuva Rajyam. Starring as a reformed naxal who has to fight�to claim�his lady love, Pawan Kalyan shone in the myriad facets he had to portray on screen.

Raksha, remade in Hindi as Phoonk, was co-produced by Ram Gopal Varma, India’s king of supernatural movies. Jagapathi Babu scintillated as the fond father, a sceptic who’s forced to change his atheist beliefs as he sees his daughter pulled apart by evil spirits.� Raksha didn’t offer any ready-made answers regarding the supernatural vs. the rational but definitely opened a debate about the supernatural that many Indians believe in.

Baladoor, an all-out entertainer starring Ravi Teja and Anushka, saw Ravi Teja taking on a more sober role.�This action flick showed Ravi Teja emoting when he was not fighting off the baddies�or wooing shapely sexy Anshuka. Very much in the vein of a Ravi Teja starrer, Baladoor was another feather in the superstar-in-the-making’s cap.

Ullasamga Utsahamgaa, starring the doe-eyed beauty Sneha Ullal, was a low budget flick whose market expectations rose with Dil Raju grabbing the distribution rights of this B. Somu production. Director Karunakaran’s career, which was not doing too well recently, was boosted by�this film’s success.