Tollywood's journey to Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav

India completed 75 years of Independence and the entire nation is celebrating the occasion with pride filled with patriotic fervor. In the midst of all this, let us find out how Tollywood elevated patriotism on screen and paid floral tributes to freedom fighters over the years. 

The first social entertainer in Telugu came in 1936 and it is Prema Vijayam. Till that time, Tollywood used to come with mythological entertainers. Prema Vijayam sowed seeds of patriotic fervor on screen. From then makers came up with social entertainers opposing social inequalities, discrimination and promoting patriotism. Films like Mala Pilla,Mallee Pelli, Raithu Bidda,Vandemataram,Sumangali,Devatha highlighted patriotism to the core. 

Raithu Bidda helmed by Gudavalli Ramabrahmam was a powerful take against the landlords and the British Government banned it. The British Government banned the film to please the peasants and landlords who were supporting them. Varakatnam also faced the same problem as it highlighted the unemployment, and dowry menace, and questioned the government. 

In 1941, the film Mahatma Gandhi came propagates the ideologies of Mahatma Gandhi but it failed to attract viewers as it was made like a documentary. Gudavalli Ramabrahmam came up with Palnati Yudhdham in 1946 but before its completion, he passed away. LV. Prasad completed it and it was released in 1947. The film had powerful dialogues against the British government. 

With the passage of time, Krishna's Alluri Seetha Rama Raju, Sivaji Ganesan's Veera Pandya Kattaboman, Vijay Chander's Andhra Kesari stole the hearts of all. Chiranjeevi came with Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy. Venkatesh's Subhash Chandra Bose and films like Bobbili Yudhdham, Tandra Paparayudu,Sardar Paparayudu,Memu Manushulame, Nadu-Nedu instilled patriotic fervor. 

Kamal Haasan's Bharateeyudu,Maniratnam's Roja,Krishna Vamsi's Khadgam,Mahatma, Ghazi Attack,Sita Ramam,Major and RRR revolved around patriotism.