Tollywood toppers in 2007

Year 2007 saw a decline in the number of releases in Telugu when compared to the previous years. There were only 85 straight releases and 60 dubbed films released during the year. The good news is that though the releases dwindled, the hits were more than the previous year. 2007 is termed as the year of young talents and Sekhar Kammula proved with Happy Days that with rank newcomers and not so established stars, movie wonders could be created. Happy Days made under a four cr. budget and is expected to gross over Rs. 20 cr.

2007 opened with a thumping victory, the super duper hit, Desamuduru directed by Puri Jagannath with Allu Arjun and Hansika Motwani in the lead. Close on the heels came the Venkatesh-starrer, Adavari Matalaku Ardhale Verule directed by Sri Raghava. The two other big hits are Sekhar Kammula’s Happy Days, Lakshyam starring Jagapathi Babu and Gopichand, Rajamouli’s Yamadonga with NTR Jr. in the lead. The hit films are Tulasi, Okkadunnadu, Evadaithe Nakenti, Operation Duryodhana, Yamagola, Athili Sathibabu, Aadivaram Adavallaku Selavu, Chandamama, Madhumaasam, and the recently released Mantra while Dubai Seenu and Dhee termed as above average.

Chiranjeevi and Balakrishna drew a blank as both Shankardada Zindabad and Maharadhi proved damp squibs at the turnstile. Nagarjuna starrer, Don directed by Lawrence has hit the theatres on December 20 and has been getting negative talk from the media and average talk from the audience. And Venkatesh ahs emerged as the real winner with a super hit film Adavari Matalaku Arthale Verule and anaverage film Tulasi. Mahesh Babu starrer Athith failed at box office but Jr NTR came back to form with the success of Yamadonga and Ram Charan Tej’s debut film Chirutha opened to fantastic collections.