Tollywood or Telugu Film Industry is as old as Hindi film industry as “Alam Ara” in Hindi and “Bhakta Prahlada” in Telugu releasing in same year 1931.  Alam Ara was first talkies which had audio in Hindi.  A couple of months later in the same year, HM Reddy released his movie Bhakta Prahlada in Telugu audio.  Three years later, LAVAKUSA was released.  The movie directed by Pullaiah was huge success.  Exceptionally high crowd flocked to the cinema halls to view the movie!

As the popularity of talking movies grown, the directors moved from the mythological movies and religious themes. They started making socially relevant movies dealing with social issue of dowry and untouchables. These social films become hits and become very popular with audiences. Between 1937 and 1947, one third of the movies made were having social themes.

Since then, Telugu movies have grown in strength and popularity. Annually hundred fifty movies are produced in Telugu. Annual turn over of Telugu Film Industry is over Rs. 3 billions! Several successful Telugu films were remade in Hindi and other Indian languages. Also there several production houses based in Andhra Pradesh have also produced several successful Hindi movies.

Entry of producers from Telugu Film Industry brought lot of songs and dance sequences into Hindi with vibrant color and expensive canvas. Several of Hindi’s top actress were from Telugu – like Sridevi, who ruled the Hindi film world after being very successful actress down south.

Now several Hindi actresses are moving down south India. Several popular Hindi actresses are even doing item numbers in Telugu movies.