The year 2020 began with a bang. Two films collected a whopping nearly Rs 300 crore collection during the Sankranthi season, creating a new record. The beginning was a spectacle, but all that dazzle dimmed with the coronavirus spreading in India.
The lockdown was imposed in March, and all the theaters remained shut down until December. The theaters only started registering the footfalls at the theaters with the Christmas release – ‘Solo Brathuke So Better’. In a year that saw no theatrical business for close to ten months, there were still some surprise blockbusters as well.
A total of 49 straight Telugu movies hit the screens in 2020. Many films like Nani’s ‘V’, Anushka’s ‘Nishabdham’, and Keerthy Suresh’s ‘Miss India’ streamed directly on OTT platforms. About 15 movies – small and big- had skipped a theatrical release in 2020, opting for streaming release.
Here’s how Telugu films fared in the year 2020 at the box-office.
HITS (Theatrical Business only)
Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo – All-time blockbuster
The Allu Arjun and Pooja Hegde starrer was a musical hit. The film has not only become the biggest blockbuster of the year, but it also made it to the list of all-time blockbusters. This is also the biggest hit in director Trivikram’s career.
The songs – ‘Butta Bomma’, ‘Ramulo Ramulaa’ and ‘Samaja Varagamana’ – garnered billions of streaming views on multiple platforms. ‘Butta Bomma’, in particular. has become a national sensation.
The film also set a record on TV by garnering 29.4 TVR points, when it premiered on small-screen.
Collections: Rs 163 Crore
Sarileru Neekevvaru – All-time Blockbuster
Mahesh Babu’s ‘Sarileru Neekevvaru’ paled in comparison to the hype of ‘Ala Vaikunthapurramloo’. But still, it has managed to collect whopping collections. Despite the mixed reviews and trolling on social media, the Mahesh Babu starrer also made it to the list of all-time blockbusters.
Directed by Anil Ravipudi, ‘Sarileru Neekevvaru’ is the biggest hit in Mahesh Babu’s career.
The film was also a roaring success on TV. It registered a whopping 23.4 TVR on the small screen becoming the all-time second-highest watched Telugu movie in its premiere.
Collections: Rs 138 Crore
Bheeshma – Hit
Nithin scored a decent hit with director Venky Kudumula’s ‘Bheeshma’. The romantic drama became a success at the theaters due to its comedy.
It gave a huge relief to Nithin, who was struggling with flops before the release. It was the second consecutive hit for actress Rashmika in 2020.
Collections: Rs 27 Crore
HIT – Avg
The thriller starring Vishwak Sen was made with a modest budget. It made a decent amount at the ticket windows.
Collections: Rs 6 Crore
Honorable Mention
Solo Brathuke So Better
Sai Tej starrer ‘Solo Brathuke So Better’ surprised the industry by registering staggering openings. This is the first film to hit the screens after cinemas reopened, and the opening has given hope to all the producers about the theatrical business.
The producer had made good profits before the theatrical release as he sold it to Zee Group. The overall result of the movie is yet to be known.
Palasa 1978
This is touted to be the first Dalit-themed movie in the Telugu film industry. The film received good openings, but the lockdown was imposed a week later. Due to this, it could not run in the theaters for long. The song “Nakkileesu Golusu” went on to garner 65 million views.
Notable Flops
Disco Raja
The Ravi Teja starrer was hyped up so much before the release, but the film turned out to be a dud. This was the fourth flop in a row for Ravi Teja.
World Famous Lover
After NOTA and Dear Comrade, Vijay Deverakonda has rounded the hat-trick of flops with this love story. Vijay Deverakonda also missed the chance to release another film in 2020.
Jaanu
‘Jaanu’ is the Telugu remake of the acclaimed Tamil movie ‘96’. Samantha and Sharwanand starred in this nostalgic drama. While the film won good reviews, it could not bring audiences to the theaters. It was a big flop.
Entha Manchivaadavuraa
The film was hyped so much as it was directed by Satish Vegesna of ‘Shatamanam Bhavati’. The Kalyan Ram starrer not only tanked at the box-office, but it also punctured the image of all names involved in it.
Aswathama
Naga Shaurya was credited with writing the story of this thriller. The film failed to bring in the audience.
