2007 - A Flashback
2007 began on a happy note but towards the end of the year, flops flowed. Of the total 102 straight Telugu films released this year, only six films are blockbusters and six other movies made money. There were no trendsetting movies this year. Films that became blockbusters are all neatly packed commercial entertainers.
Allu Arjun and director Puri Jagannadh’s Desamuduru was the first film to hit the screens this year and it collected more than Rs 20 Crores. Puri had continued his success streak with this movie until he slipped off with Chirutha later.
While the ‘numero uno` star of Tollywood, megastar Chiranjeevi could not taste success with Shankardada Zindabad, NTR, who was going through rough patch, bounced back with Yamadonga. The film went to become the biggest grosser of 2007. It is estimated that the film touched Rs 30 Crores figure. Yet, the real star of this year is none other than the Venkatesh. He had two films this year – Adavari Matalaki Arthalu Verule, and Tulasi and both of them are blockbusters and collected Rs 45 Crores collectively.
Another top hero Balakrishna continued his streak of flops this year too. His Maharadhi (directed by P Vasu) could not lift his sagging career. Now he pines all his hopes on Okka Magadu that is hitting on Sankranthi 2008. Mahesh Babu too was down with luck this year. His much-hyped Athidhi that was released by UTV Motion Pictures failed miserably although it set new records in openings. His style was appreciated, though. For Prabhas, 2007 is most unlucky year. Two of his films – Yogi and Munna could not set the cash registers ringing.
Nagarjuna released his much-hyped Don on December 20th and it received thumbs down from critics although collections are encouraging. Among the smaller films that went on to become big hits, two films should be mentioned – Sekhar Kammula’s Happy Days, Srinu Vaitla directed Dhee and Gopichand’s Lakshyam. Sekhar’s campus love story became a rage among youth and the film that made with a shoestring budget of Rs 2.5 Crores collected more than Rs 12 Crores. The film’s songs composed by Mickey J Meyer are best among this year releases.
Regarding, Dhee, it released with no expectations and surprisingly made a huge impact. It established director Sreenu Vaitla who again delivered another hit this year with Ravi Teja and Nayantara starrer Dubai Seenu. Vishnu also became a star with Dhee.
Krishnavamsi’s Chandamama, EVV’s Attili Sattibabu, Charmee starrer Mantra, Operation Duryadhona, Evadaitey Nakenti, Yamagola, Seema Shastry are some of the movies that also made money this year.
Among the dubbed movies, only Rajnikant’s Sivaji became successful and rest of the 100 movies that released were damp squibs.
Blockbusters :2007
‘Desamuduru’, ‘Adavari Matalaki Arthalu Verule’, ‘Yamadonga’, ‘Lakshyam’, ‘Happy Days’ and ‘Tulasi’.
Popular Hero: Venkatesh (AMAV, Tulasi)
Popular Heroine: Nayantara (Tulasi, Dubai Seenu)
Top Grosser: Yamadonga
Best Film of the year: Happy Days