The Top Telugu Films of 2013

The year 2013 saw many Telugu films being made, but only a few could be described as outstanding.

A look at the best films of the year.

Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (SVSC)

Cast: Venkatesh, Mahesh Babu, Prakash Raj, Jayasudha, Anjali, Samantha

Director: Srikkanth Addala

After many decades, two big and well-established superstars came together to act in a Telugu multi-starrer.

Dil Raju produced this movie, while director Srikkanth Addala spun a family tale of two brothers and their relationship with each other and the rest of the family.

It went down well with viewers. It was a theme many could relate to.

The film went on to become a blockbuster besides winning critical acclaim. 

Cast: Aadi Pinisetty, Lakshmi Manchu, Taapsee Pannu, Sandeep Kishan

Director: Kumar Nagendra

Lakshmi Manchu’s maiden production based on BVS Rao’s literary work, Godaari Kathalu, was a tale of love set amidst the Godavari floods in 1986.

The film’s non-linear narrative was a highlight. There were good visuals of the river in spate.

This earthy, rustic film had a wonderful musical score by maestro Ilaiyaraja.

Lakshmi spared no effort to make the film a success, ably assisted by Kumar Nagendra. 

Cast:  Kranthi, Sridivya

Director: Rama Raju

This film was, like its title, fragrant as a jasmine flower, whose scent grows on one.  A lyrical ode to love, the film speaks a language not seen in cinema of late.

It also, unusually, shows the female protagonist in a strong light.

Sridivya made her mark in this film in the lead role. Poetic and fresh, with clean meaningful dialogues, it was endearing to watch this love story.

Cast: Sumanth Ashwin, Eesha, Madhubala, Ravi Babu, Jhansi

Director: Mohana Krishna Indraganti

The director ensured that this love story was a slice of life and not the usual rosy one we see on celluloid.

AMAT was about love, romance, and commitment, between a contemporary young couple.

The film was realistic, with some entertaining one-liners. Maturely handled, this sensitive love story won the critics’ approval and did reasonably well at the box office.

Producer Damodar Prasad delivered two winners in a row – Ala Modalaindi and AMAT.

Cast: Raj Tarun, Avika Gor, Punarnavi

Director: Virinchi Varma

This cute love story unfolds against a bucolic backdrop. The story is simple and time-tested, but there is an innocence about the film that is striking.

The technical values of this small-budget film are good. It is produced by Rammohan P. (who had earlier produced Ashta Chamma and Golconda High School) and Nagarjuna’s Annapoorna Studios and presented by D Suresh Babu.

Raj Tarun makes an impressive debut and perhaps is here to stay.