Veteran actor Kota Srinivasa Rao passes away at 83
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
From Pawan Kalyan's 'Thammudu' to Ram Charan's 'Peddi': How Telugu cinema is shaping a gritty and authentic sports drama genre
Tollywood boasts captivating characters and profoundly emotional narratives. While genres such as mythological epics, romantic dramas, and action films have continually flourished in the industry, sports-drama films have also had a fascinating run. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now These films often feature stories about perseverance, success, and the human spirit. While they may not be as profitable as the other genres, Telugu sports dramas have created a distinct genre in their own right. The Emergence of Sports Dramas in Telugu Cinema The trends of sports dramas are relatively new when compared to the historical, mythological, and social themes in Telugu cinema. Sports-drama films started gaining traction in Telugu cinema during the early 2000s, with films like 'Thammudu' and 'Sye' really showcasing the interest in this subgenre across a range of sports. In stark contrast, Bollywood and Hindi cinema, while earlier embracing the trend of sport in film, maintained the discourse more directly to cricket; sporting films are still a relative rarity in Telugu. Despite this, the strong success of films such as 'Jersey' is driving audiences' interest, proving that sports dramas resonate deeply, as long as they are made with authenticity. What makes sports dramas appealing to filmmakers and audiences alike is the commonality of themes, such as underdogs, personal redemption, and striving for a dream against all odds. These films have also been incorporated with the aspects of their culture and, often, social issues, including caste, family relationships, and altruism. Some notable sports-drama films in Telugu cinema 'Thammudu': Directed by P.A. Arun Prasad, 'Thammudu' is a landmark sports drama centered around boxing. Starring as a carefree young man who transforms into a disciplined boxer to avenge his brother's honor, the film blends action, emotion, and family values. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Its raw energy and Pawan Kalyan's charismatic performance made it a cult classic. Another hit is 'Sye,' which is directed by SS Rajamouli, who brought rugby to Telugu audiences at a time when rugby appeared to be a distant sport relative to India. The film stars Nithiin and Genelia D'Souza and focuses on a group of college rivals and their journey to becoming a rugby team. The sports scenes, shot distinctly by Rajamouli and paired with MM Keeravaani's happy rhythms, put 'Sye' on the map. The 2019 superhit, Gowtam Tinnanuri's 'Jersey,' is arguably the pinnacle of Telugu sports dramas. 'Jersey' features a transformative and courageous performance from industry sweetheart , who plays Arjun, a cricketer who attempts to come out of retirement in his late 30s to fulfill his quest to play for India. It is spirit, sacrifice, and endurance that hopefully almost everyone is connected with. The authenticity of the cricket scenes, primarily due to the 's involvement with shooting the cricket scenes and Nani's subtle transformation that takes place through the film, delighted audiences. As per The News Minute, Nani shared that he didn't know if there was a trend of sports dramas in Telugu cinema: "I didn't know that there was a trend of sports dramas in Telugu in the first place. When Gowtam narrated the story, I felt it was both beautiful and a challenging film for me as an actor. It's only then that it struck me that there are very few Telugu films that focus on sports. It's high time we made sports dramas in Telugu, rather than just enjoy watching them when they are made in other languages. " Nani's training for 'Jersey' was grueling: 70 days at the Daniels Cricket Academy to get the cricketing stance right. But it was worth it to tell a story that's as much about life as it is about cricket. Arjun's story is about second chances, and the makers focused on making every scene authentic, from the cricket to the emotions. Seetimaarr', directed by , is an energetic sports drama about women's kabaddi, featuring Gopichand and Tamannaah. Like most sports dramas, 'Seetimaarr' also has a social commentary about gender and femininity in rural India. Speaking of the upcoming 'Peddi,' the sports drama is directed by Buchi Babu Sana, will feature , and differs from a traditional sports drama that features only one sport. 'Peddi,' while a sports drama, will feature more than one sport. The film will feature cricket, wrestling, and kabaddi as we see a "sports coolie" at the center of it all. Crafting Authenticity Sporting dramas are able to hold the fans or casual audience depending on authenticity or in regard to authenticity in storytelling or performing sports. It is common for directors and actors to train and spend a huge amount of time getting authentically prepared for the sports element. In the case of 'Jersey,' Nani trained for more than two months to learn the cricketing aspects, and BCCI assisted the production team by using authentic logos and specific settings to make the story feel real. South Buzz: Vijay's 'Leo' first look out!; Ram Charan and Upasana blessed with a baby girl; Action flick 'RDX' to release on Onam Similarly, both Tamannaah and the other cast members in 'Seetimaarr' also did kabaddi training to convince the audiences they were true athletes. Authenticity extends to crew members that cover technical aspects. For example, the cinematographers and editors for the rugby portions of 'Sye' planned and choreographed shooting routines to show the raw physicality of the sport and were largely praised for their intensity. Filmmakers also often take inspiration from true stories to add depth and meaning. 'Jersey' was based on the struggles of athletes who return to the sport late in their lives, and 'Seetimaarr' showed the struggles of female athletes in the sporting world. Challenges and Future Prospects Sporting dramas are able to hold the fans or casual audience depending on authenticity or in regard to authenticity in storytelling or performing sports. It is common for directors and actors to train and spend a huge amount of time getting authentically prepared for the sports element. In the case of 'Jersey,' Nani trained for more than two months to learn the cricketing aspects, and the BCCI assisted the production team by using authentic logos and specific settings to make the story feel real. Even with their success, sports dramas also have some hurdles in Telugu cinema. Compared to traditional films, the genre requires an extra investment in training, choreography, and production design to be as authentic as possible and undeniably scary despite smaller budgets. Further, it's hard to outrun the star system in Telugu cinema, with mass entertainers preferred over niche genres. However, on the other hand, the evolution of sport-drama films in Telugu cinema has transformed from once-in-a-while experiments into an emerging genre worthy of discipline and attention.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
‘Thama' teaser update: Rashmika Mandanna's biggest Hindi film to launch promo with ‘War 2'
Rashmika Mandanna is all set to appear in her biggest Hindi film titled 'Thama.' To create excitement, the teaser of the film will be launched along with the much-awaited movie 'War 2.' Rashmika will be seen opposite Ayushmann Khurrana in this film. Come, let's see the full details. About Rashmika Mandanna Rashmika Mandanna is one of the most popular actresses in India. She is giving back-to-back hit films in different languages like Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi. Because of her strong acting and charming screen presence, she is gaining fame across the country. Her fans are always excited to see what project she will take up next. The 'Thama' teaser is attached to the much-awaited action film Rashmika's next big project in Bollywood is a film titled 'Thama.' According to the reports in 123telugu, this is her biggest Hindi film so far. The movie is being made on a large scale, and the makers have planned a special way to launch the film's teaser. Instead of releasing it separately, they have decided to attach the teaser of 'Thama' to the much-awaited action film 'War 2.' About the films 'War 2' is a high-budget Bollywood action film starring Jr NTR and Hrithik Roshan . Since this movie is expected to do extremely well at the box office and attract a huge audience, releasing the Thama teaser with it will give Rashmika's film wide exposure. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 넥센타이어4짝교체비용이 5천원!?차종,규격,인치 NO상관! 5천원에 교체가능! 넥센타이어 렌탈 더 알아보기 Undo This is seen as a smart marketing strategy and move by the makers of the film to build early hype for 'Thama' and get more people interested in the film to watch. In 'Thama,' Ayushmann Khurrana plays the male lead opposite Rashmika. Their pairing has also created buzz among fans. People are now eager to see Rashmika's look, performance, and role in the film. As the teaser launch gets closer, expectations are high, and fans are waiting to see a glimpse of what the film has to offer to the audience.
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Stunt master Mohanraj's death: MK Stalin asked to file murder charges against film producers; video of crash goes viral
The sudden death of stuntman Mohanraj has shocked the South Indian film industry. He died during the shooting of an action scene for Vettuvam, directed by Pa Ranjith and starring Arya. The stunt involved driving an SUV over a ramp to create a flying car effect. Sadly, the car lost control, flipped mid-air and crashed. Though the team rushed him to the hospital, he could not be saved. An old video from another film, Bullet, is now going viral. In it, Mohanraj is seen exiting a crashed car after a stunt, receiving hugs and praise from the crew before heading to an ambulance. While that stunt was successful, his recent attempt turned fatal. The tragedy has raised concerns about safety on film sets. Disturbing footage of the accident is also being shared online. When one of the news publications shared the video, Mrunal Thakur reacted to it. Thakur has worked in several successful South Indian films, mainly in Telugu. Some of her prominent works include Sita Ramam, Hi Nanna and The Family Star. 'Omgggg nooo,' reacted the Super 30 actress. All Indian Cine Workers Association President Suresh Gupta has reacted to Mohan Raj's death. While filmmakers want world-class action, they don't work on safety. 'Every year, many stunt artists lose their lives. The man would have been alive if they had provided enough safety. Some producers play with stuntmen's lives to save a few bucks,' Gupta said. At the same time, he informed in a video address that AICWA had requested Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin to lodge murder charges against the film producers. The following video contains graphic and distressing content involving a fatal accident during a film stunt. It may be upsetting to some viewers. We urge viewer caution and recommend that children and sensitive individuals do not watch the footage. This video is being shared only to highlight the risks faced by stunt professionals and the importance of safety on film sets.
