Best Telugu Actors

The Telugu film industry, popularly known as ‘Tollywood’, is the third largest film industry in India. The Telugu film industry is still in its infancy when it comes to making and accepting realistic, contemporary and unconventional cinema. Traditionally, Telugu audiences idolize their actors and like to see them in larger-than-life roles. This article is about the four most popular and still current actors in Telugu cinema.

Chiranjeevi: This ‘Megastar’ of Telugu cinema had a modest start to his career in 1977, acting in supporting and villainous roles. He started playing leading roles in movies in 1982. Movies like Intlo Ramayya Veedhilo Krishnyya, Khaidi, Abhilasha and Rudraveena earned him awards and accolades. And there was no going back after that. The 90s further cemented him as a great hero with movies like Jagadeka Veerudu Atiloka Sundari, Gang Leader, Gharana Mogudu and Aapadbhandavudu winning the hearts of the class and mass audiences. After a few more blockbuster movies like Indra, Tagore and Shankar Dada Zindabad in the 2000s, Chiranjeevi is now more focused on his political career. He started an independent political party called Praja Rajyam (people’s government), which later merged with the Congress party. He is also active in social activities, managing a blood bank named after the actor himself. Chiranjeevi is the most popular actor in Telugu cinema to date, loved by Telugu audiences all over the world for his versatility, dance style and charisma.

Balakrishna: ‘Yuvaratna’ (Young Diamond) Balakrishna is the son of legendary Telugu actor and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, NTRama Rao. Following in his father’s footsteps, he entered the film industry as a child actor in the film ‘Tatamma Kala’ in 1974. He debuted as the lead in the 1984 film ‘Sahasame Jeevitham’. ‘Mangamma Gari Manavadu’, released the same year, was a huge blockbuster. His popularity skyrocketed in the following years with several successful films like Muddula Mavayya, Nari Nari Naduma Murari, Lorry Driver, Rowdy Inspector and Aditya 369. The films had Balakrishna in various interesting roles which appealed to class and mass audiences, and in particular, young people. . The 2000s saw Balakrisha acting in several factional background films like Chenna Kesava Reddy, Narasimha Naidu and Samara Simha Reddy. The last blockbuster film of his was Simha in 2011. When we talk about Balakrisha, we cannot forget about his mythological films and socio-fantasies. Just like his father, Balakrishna excels in such roles and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that he is the only current hero who can do full justice to these kinds of movies. Some of the noteworthy performances of him in such roles were in the films Bhairava Dweepam, Pandurangadu and Sri Krishnarjuna Vijayam. Another film ‘Sri Rama Rajyam’ based on the life of Lord Rama is currently in post production stage and will be released in August 2011. Balakrishna is also involved in social causes and runs the Indo American Basavatharakam cancer hospital which is a creation of his father and his mother’s name.

Nagarjuna – Widely regarded as one of Tollywood’s most stylish actors, Nagarjuna entered the world of cinema with high expectations. His father is Akkineni Nageswar Rao, one of the legendary actors of Telugu cinema. He is one of the few Tollywood heroes who excels in romantic roles. Although his first film was ‘Sudigundalu’ (1967) when he was only 8 years old, his debut hero film was Vikram in 1986. Two Nagarjuna films which were released in 1987, Geetanjali and Shiva, not only brought him commercial success, but also also critical acclaim, and remain among Nagarjuna’s best films till date. In the 90s, Nagarjuna acted in several successful movies like Killer, Varasudu, President Gari Pellam, Hello Brother, Criminal and Gharana Bullodu. The roles he played in these films were a mix of sophisticated, urban characters and rural, mass characters, and he did justice to both types of roles equally. In 1996, Nagarjuna produced and starred alongside Tabu in ‘Ninne Pelladutha’, one of the best Telugu romantic films ever made. Among his other romantic and light-hearted entertainers are Santhosham and Manmadhudu. Another interesting film by Nagarjuna was ‘Sisindri’ in which the story revolves around the life of a little boy who disappeared from his house. The role of the little boy was played by Akhil, the son of Nagarjuna. In the films Annamayya and Sri Ramadasu, audiences got to see a different side of Nagarjuna’s acting skills. He played the role of an ardent devotee in both films and proved that he, too, is capable of excelling in a genre his father was known for. With a charming personality and unmatched style, Nagarjuna has been wowing Telugu audiences for over two decades. Nagarjuna’s son from his first marriage, Naga Chaitanya, has also entered the Telugu film industry and is doing well, with a recent hit ‘Ay Maya Chesave’. Nagarjuna is a co-founder of Blue Cross of Hyderabad, which is an animal welfare organization run by his wife Amala.

Venkatesh: ‘Victory’ Venkatesh as he is popularly known is the son of the famous producer D.Ramanaidu. Venkatesh debuted in the film ‘Kaliyuga Pandavulu’ in 1986. He then acted in the film Swarnakamalam which is among the best Telugu films ever made. Starting with this film, Venkatesh has always strived to act in meaningful cinema. However, he also acted in some massive movies, which earned him a following in both mass and class audiences. The 90s saw some interesting movies like Bobbili Raja, Kshana Kshanam, Chanti, China Rayudu, Dharma Chakram, Preminchukundam Raa, Premante Idera. Some of these were romantic artists, some socio-fantasies, while others were set in a rural context. This versatility makes Venkatesh stand out among his contemporaries and audiences expect something good and different from him every time. Another specialty of Venkatesh’s films is the scope they give actresses to play alongside the hero of the film. Examples of such films include Malleeswari, Adavari Maatalu, Arthale Verule and Nagavalli. Venkatesh keeps a low profile and avoids media attention except for his movies. So not much is known about his other activities.