Although it is not acceptable to compare Tollywood film industry with an estimated audiences of 8crores with that of Bollywood film industry having more than 1.8. Billion audiences, the Telugu film industry have grabbed its own attention in terms of the Box Office hits which have a potential of reaching the milestone of 100 crores.
It is not an astonishing fact that movies like Krish-3, Chennai Express, Ram Leela have even crossed the milestone of rupees 150crores with the contribution of overseas revenue, due to such a huge number of audiences from all corners of the country. But, the Tollywood movie which is on the records of collections i.e. Attarintiki Daaredi has also not reached 100 crores club.
With a meager audience for the vernacular industry, Magadheera tried to reach 100 crores club for the first time and stopped at 74 crores mark. So, manifestly it is evident that the Telugu Film industry has been competing with the Bollywood. In the recent times, 100 crores has become the buzz word for the Tollywood industry and there is no doubt that the day is imminent.
Time and again Bollywood toot toots about its movies which have become the members of the elite 100 Crore club. However, with the widespread appeal of Hindi movies, this does not seem to be a big deal.
What really seems to be a big deal is when Tamil movies which cater to limited audience manage to cross this mark. However, over the years, there have been some Tamil films which not only wowed the audience but also set the box office on fire with their collections of more than 100 crores.
In recent years, Tollywood rated as India’s second largest marketable film Industry in worldwide according to box office collection. After Bollywood, Telugu films garnered huge reception among audience in India and also overseas centers. The film which grossed more than 100 crore in Telugu is tagged as ‘Biggest Blockbuster’ of the year.
Stylish star Allu Arjun’s “Sarainodu” (Sarrainodu) has topped the list of the top 10 highest grossing Telugu movies of 2016, while “Oopri” and “Nannaku Prematho” landed at the second and third places, respectively.
The year of 2016 started on a good note for Tollywood with its first release “Nenu Sailaja” turning a big money spinner at the ticket counters. Four big-ticket movies like “Nannaku Prematho,” “Dictator,” “Express Raja” and “Soggade Chinni Nayana” clashed at the box office during Sankranti festival and trade experts were sceptic about their prospects. Three of them turned out to be hit at the worldwide box office, while “Dictator” was a flop at the ticket counters.
Telugu film industry released over 35 small-budget movies in February and March. “Oopiri” and “Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha” were the two big-ticket films released in these months and they made decent business, while most of the small movies were flops at the box office. “Kshanam” was a surprising hit of the season. “Kalyana Vaibhogame,” “Guntur Talkies,” “Shourya,” “Tuntari,” “Run” and “Shiva Ganga” were some of the hyped small-budget films and they turned average grossers at the ticket counters. Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas’ “Speedunnodu,” Aadhi’s “Garam,” Sunil’s “Krishnashtami” were among the disasters in these months.
April started on a dull note with the average performance of “Savitri” and “Attack.” Pawan Kalyan’s “Sardaar Gabbar Singh,” which was the most hyped film, bombed at the box office in the second week of the month and its disastrous performance shocked many in the industry. The industry scored two hits with “Sarainodu” and “Eedo Rakam Aado Rakam” in the next couple of movies.
May witnessed a limited number (8+ movies, including 4 dubbed films) of releases, but the movie suffered huge losses with superstar Mahesh Babu’s most-hyped flick “Brahmotsavam” turning disaster at the box office. Sai Dharam Tej’s “Supreme” became hit at the box office. Dubbed films like “24” and “Bichagadu” were also hit. “Bichagadu” surprised everyone with its blockbuster success.
Tollywood released over 15 movies in June and Nithin’s “A…Aa,” and “Gentleman” became hit at the box office. Some of hyped films like “Sri Sri,” “Okka Ammayi Thappa,” “Right Right,” “Rajadhi Raja,” “Oka Manasu” and “Kundanapu Bomma” failed to yield expected results.
Here is a table detailing of the price of distribution rights (DRP), gross collection and Distributors’ share and status (hit/flop) of the top 20 highest grossing Telugu movies of 2016. These numbers are based on estimated reports and they may vary from the actual figures released by their makers.
Here is a list of some of the highest box office collection movies.
Nannaku Prematho
Sarrainodu
Oopiri
Kabali
Janatha Garrage
Gentle Man
Majnu
Well, whatever the case may be, it has become evident that Tollywood industry with approximately 8 crores audiences has become a contender for the Bollywood industry which has the audience of over 1.1 billion.
