Tollywood has lost many stalwarts during the year 2011 from all the departments and the void remains unfulfilled. It was a tragic end for the director known for his comedy films when EVV Satyanarayana bid adieu in January. He died young and at the peak of his career, exactly like his mentor Jandhyala. His rib tickling films from ‘Pema Khaidi’ to ‘Kathi Kanta Rao’ had enthralled many and he introduced or gave good openings to many artistes.
Two writers Mullapudi Venkata Ramana and Mallemala, who had seen the film industry’s transformation through five decades, have put in the final dot this year bringing an end to ‘Dothi’ wearing writers’ generation. Mullapudi, along with Bapu, had given some astounding films to Tollywood from ‘Sakshi’ to the latest ‘Sri Rama Rajyam.’ In fact Ramana was known for penning dialogues having a punch laced with humor and lines having weight but sound very simple. Strong message with simple words has been his forte. He created the character of the naughty boy Budugu and Appa Rao, who lives on taking loans, which is his passion. In his last days Ramana wrote a serial ‘Kothi Kommachi,’ which is a semi biography and created a storm in literary circles when he defined copyright as a right to copy from other’s works and named some major hit films and their original versions.
Mallemala too had created a sensation with his book ‘Naa Ishtam’ and made some remarks against contemporary top stars. He was also a producer, actor and director. His son Shyam Prasad Reddy is a producer as well.
Another poet Jaladi too left the world. His rural stream of poetry even in film songs will remain afresh as he redefined the art of writing film songs by identifying some 64 words which are often used in songs. He kept away from those words in songs as far as possible which made him very popular.
Choreographer Salim died in Chennai this year. Three Chief Ministers of two states, MGR, NTR, Jayalalithaa, danced to his tunes but Salim fumbled in the final step and fell flat in the lap of destitution.
Mikkilineni, whose contribution to film and theatre is well recognition also passed this year.
Nutan Prasad, who had a sway over Tollywood with his dialogue delivery and mannerisms had a near fatal accident while shooting for a film and became immobile. Turning the wheel chair to a will chair, he still made his contribution to the film land and theatre in his humble way and in the process breathed his last.
Among artistes, the icon of Hyderabad, Rami Reddy and bi-lingual Sujatha passed away. Producer Dasari Padma was the other celebrity to go to unknown shores this year. She produced many hit films that her husband has directed.
Tollywood also missed dialogue writer Gandham Nagaraju, music director Anil and lyricist Kaluva Sai during the year. Besides director VR Pratap there must have been many unsung technicians and junior artistes who must have passed away without being noticed.