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The first sound
picture in Telugu was Bhakta Prahlada (1931), which introduced Surabhi
Kamalabai as the first Telugu heroine. Narasimha Rao's Seeta Kalyanam
is the first Telugu sound feature made in Madras. Sitaakalyaanam (1934)
was another early Telugu film produced in south-India. Harishchandra
(1935) was the debut film for Kannaamba and P. Pullayya. The first film studio
was constructed at Rajahmundry by Nidamarthy Brothers in 1936. The same year,
the Telugu company Saraswati Talkies made a debut with its Draupadi
Vastrapaharanam. Aanasooya-dhruva (1936) was the film casting only
children, while Prema vijayam (1936) was the first social film in
Telugu. Girhalakshmi (1937) was a big turning point in Telugu film
history with a revolutionary story. Its success promoted many other social films
like B.Nagi Reddy's Sumangali, Gudavalli Ramabrahman's Malapilla
and Raitu Bidda and Mallipelli (1939). The first male playback
song in Telugu was sung for Vandemataram (1939). Since it was a child's
voice, MS Rama Rao's song in Devata (1941) is
considered first "male" playback. Dharmapatni (1941) was the debut film
of Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR). S.S.Vasan's Balanagamma (1942) was a very
successful folkloric film. The first female playback (credited) in Telugu was in
Bhaktapotana (1942).
L.V Prasad (1908-1944) was one of the movie moguls of Madras who made his
directorial debut with Grihapravesam (1946). His important films
include Drohi (1948), Mana Desam
(1949), Sahukaru (1950), Samsaram (1950), Pelli Chesi
Choodu (1952) and Manohara (1954). In 1947, Anjali Devi made her
debut in Gollabhama while NT Rama Rao (who later became the Chief
Minister of Andhra Pradesh) made his film debut in Mana Desam
(1948). B.N.Reddi was a brilliant filmmaker who created classical films like
Vande Matram (1939), Devata (1941), Swargaseema (1945),
Malleswari (1951) and Bangaru Papa (1956). Lavakusa
(1963) was the first full-length colour production in
Telugu. S.P.Balasubrahmanyam made his debut in Sri Sri Sri Maryadaramanna
(1967). Sobhanbabu and Krishna appeared on the scene of Telugu cinema in 1960
and 1965 respectively. Oka Nari-vanda tupakulu (1971) was the first
full length black and white cinemascope film. Alluri siita rama raju
(1974) was the first full-length colour and cinemascope film. Simhaasanam (1987)
was the first 70mm production in Telugu. Dasari Narayan Rao is considered as one
of the luminaries among the Telugu film-makers. His Prema
Bhisekham was a great box-office hit. Chiranjeevi is a
popular star in the contemporary Telugu cinema.
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