Tollywood the biggest grocer

The canvas of Telugu films is larger than those of Bollywood films, which gross because of the large viewership in the country and abroad.The Bollywod film market is around Rs 200 crore per annum. Compare the revenues of  Telugu films, which is around Rs 200 crore from one state.Telugu actors take fat pay cheques and lead luxurious lives. Whether or not your film gives a box-office hit, the actor is through in the State. Films are people’s passion and a way of life. Says producer-director Tammareddy Bharadwaj, the average expenditure on a Telugu film with popular actors in the lead is  nearly Rs 45 crore.

The revenues are also encouraging. If India produces the highest number of films in the world, the credit for these must go to Tollywood.An Ernst & Young-FICCI report unveiled recently says about 250 to 270 films are released annually. But the story of the Telugu film industry isn't just about numbers.In 2008, Bollywood made only 104 films, but Tollywood released 108 films. In 2009, Bollywood churned 118 films, but the Telugu industry has already realeased 150 films. And its total cost exceeds Rs 800 crore in just Andhra Pradesh.