History of Telugu cinema
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The progress of Telugu cinema since 1931 is given in this article titled "History of Telugu Cinema".
Early stages of Telugu cinema[edit]
In 1886, the Lumir brothers screened the first dumb (mute) film in India. Later, a foreigner named RG Torni produced the films Bhakta Pundarika in 1910 and Rajdarbar in 1911. Dadasaheb Phalke is the first Indian to produce a dumb (mute) film in India. He released the film Raja Harishchandra on May 3, 1913.
In 1921, Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu from Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh produced and released the silent film Bhishma Pratigya, directed and starring his son Raghupathi Surya Prakash. Produced by Ardesh Irani in 1931, he released two talkies in Hindi (Alam Ara), in Telugu and Tamil (Kalidas). Of these, Telugu and Tamil film is directed by H. M. Reddy. Surabhi Nataka Samajam became the first film in Telugu based on their popular play Bhakta Prahlada. The first complete Telugu talkie Bhakta Prahlada was censored on January 22, 1932 and released on February 6, 1932 at the Krishna Cinema Theater in Bombay. About two months later, on April 2, 1932, Bhakta Prahlada was released in Madras.
1931-1939[edit]
A total of 76 Telugu films were made during the period 1931–1940. The first film started with Bhakta Prahlada and continued the series of mythological films. Most of the stage actors also play the respective roles in the movies.
Some of the talented directors of this period were C. Pullaiah (Lava Kusa), Chitrapu Narasimha Rao (Sita Kalyanam), H.V.Babu (Kanakathara), Chitrapu Narayana Rao (Bhakta Markandeya).
Prema Vijayam, produced by the Krittivennu brothers in 1936, was the first social film in Telugu. It was not so successful. Later, Chittor V. Nagaiah debuted into films with the film Gruhalakshmi produced by H. M. Reddy.
In 1939, B. N. Reddy, K. Ramanath and A. K. Sekhar started a film production company named "Vahini". Vandemataram is the first film produced by the company. Later in the same year, the reign of P. Bhanumathi began with her debut in the film Vara Vikrayam.
During the years 1938–39, Telugu cinema underwent a new look. The purpose of the film was not only to create entertainment but also to revolutionize those two years. Goodavalli Ramabraham created a revolution by making a film like Mala Pilla at a time when only epic tales were coming as movies and delighting the masses. In those two years in that row Gruhalakshmi (1938, Rohini, HM Reddy, Nagayya, Kannamba), Vandemataram (1939, Vahini, BN Reddy, Nagayya, Kanchanamala), Malli Pelli (1939, YV Rao, Kanchanamala), Raithu Bidda (1939, Sarathi, Goodavalli Ramabrahman, Suribabu, Tanguturi Suryakumari), Vara Vikrayam (1939, Kallakoodi Narayana Rao, Bhanumathi) were released based on various social issues of the time and set Telugu cinema on a high level.
Working as an assistant director on the film Balayogini (1937), which preceded him in plotting social issues, and running the "Prajamitra" magazine in a satirical manner that mocked the politics of society - may have inspired the production of Mala Pilla. Attempts by some groups to ban the Mala Pilla film did not materialize. Running smoothly, the film was also a financial success. Rewarding that success, Ramabraham started Raithu Bidda. It is a film that opposes zamindari policies and puts peasant issues before the people. Taking these issues as an object, Ramabrahmangare told the story. Tapi Dharma Rao and Tripuraneni Gopichand wrote the words. Gopichand also worked in the directing department.
Kosaraju Raghavaya Chaudhary used to write political satires in "Prajamitra" magazine. The songs were written by Kosaraju with that alliance. He also played an important role in it. Songs like "Sai Sai Chinnapareddy", "Nidra Melkonara Tammuda" (Suribabu singing) etc. were written by Kosaraju Garu and some other Samudra and Tapi Garu. N. who was prominent in the peasant movement. Songs written by Venkata Ramanayudu were also sung in the film. Basavaraju Apparavugari's songs were used in Mala Pilla. Words: Chalam, masonry. Gudavalligare may have introduced the notion that each writer can write a song depending on the scene. The comedy scenes were specially written by Viswanatha. The choreographer for the film is Vedantam Raghavaiah.
In October 1939, Tanguturi Prakasam, popularly known as Andhra Kesari, was instrumental in promoting the "Prakasham Bill" to be introduced in the Madras Assembly. It was also used in the campaign against the landlords in the forthcoming district board elections.
Venkatagiri and Bobbili landlords have issued notices to ban the film, which is set to release. On the day of release (27. August '39) their lawyers came to Nellore and saw the picture and took notes. As well as sending registered notices to producers, threatening to take civil and criminal action if displayed on their estates. Eventually, the Nellore district magistrate was able to ban the film not only in Venkatagiri town but also in the taluka and the entire Gudur division.
The censor board did not ban it completely so they were also under pressure. But the feudal lords' games did not continue there. It is noteworthy that even the Madras government behaved as if the magistrate's action was not lawful. The people were outraged by the landlords' irregularities. Attempts to ban it after its release intensified. Attempts were also made to burn film prints elsewhere. The kings of Bobbili and Venkatagiri have sued the filmmakers alleging that some of the characters in the film are in a position to damage their personality. The whole was banned in some districts for some time (even in the Challapalli Rajagari Krishna district where it was built).
The belief that films can impact the society started with the success of films like Mala Pilla and Raithu Bidda. No matter how sensational it may be, it has not been able to achieve financial success as a "child" due to many setbacks. With the advent of bans, courts, threats and financial loss, no matter how socially conscious a man was, Ramabhrangaru could not make such an attempt again.
Widow remarriages were encouraged through the film Malli Pelli produced by Y. V. Rao. Composer S. Rajeswara Rao and singer Balasaraswati were introduced to the film industry through the films Illalu and Sri Krishna Leelalu resepectively.
During this time many artists sang their own songs. Some of the popular actors who made their debut are - Kalyanam Raghuramaiah, C. S. R. Anjaneyulu, Kasturi Siva Rao, Relangi, Govindarajula Subba Rao, Jaggayya, P. Shanthakumari, P. Kannamba, Krishnaveni, Kanchanamala, S. Varalakshmi, Pushpavalli.
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