Changing taste of Telugu movie buffs

Move over filmmakers of mindless action movies and slapstick comedies, T-town viewers are patronising realistic and content-driven movies these days.

With 'Jersey' and 'Majili' making waves at the box office besides raising the bar on Telugu movies, its time for young filmmakers to touch upon plot-driven stories. "Both 'Jersey' and 'Majili' will go down as good content-driven as well as honest movies.

With audience grabbing them with both their hands, it truly reflects the changing taste of Telugu movie buffs," says director Madhura Sridhar, who adds that commercial filmmakers can't get away with contrived and routine entertainers.

"We don't need staple comedy tracks and raunchy dance numbers to spin box office magic. Although, 'Majili' has some decent comedy, 'Jersey' was totally banking on the tale of a talented cricketer who fights against odds for his true identity.

He takes enough brickbats from his lover-turned-wife (Shraddha Srinath) but survives on the love of his doting son," adds Sridhar.

Even though the year began with a slapstick comedy 'F 2' minting pots of gold but it is not the yardstick to judge a Telugu film. "F 2' is a an exception of sorts. Actually, films like 'Mahanati' and 'Rangasthalam' raised the bar on Telugu cinema last year and now films like 'Jersey' are sustaining that momentum.

Now, more young makers can rely on new content to make their mark," says director Chandra Siddarth, who was a jury member in International Film Festival of India. "Other language filmmakers always looked down upon comercial Telugu films, but our new-age directors are changing that perception by penning tragic and self-pity stories to give a fillip to our cinema, away from usual dishoom dishoom stuff," he adds.

Even action star Sai Dharam Tej mellowed down with 'Chitralahari' and revived his sagging career. "Young actors are exploring non-heroic roles that is a good sign.

They have realised that Telugu audience are exposed to good cinema and preferring down-to-earth movies," says director Teja, who has weaved a self-piteous role for action hero Bellamkonda Srinivas in his upcoming film 'Sita'. 'All my heroes have been underdogs who raise to the occasion. Although, I can't reveal his role, Srinivas will be seen in a never-seen-before avatar," he adds.

Interestingly, both Nani and Naga Chaitanya and to some extent Sai Dharam Tej showcased their acting talent and we hope they keep doing more such roles. "It will be good for the industry as well as filmmakers, if heroes are open to boy-next-door roles." concludes director Meher Ramesh.