10 months ago
Telugu Cinema Thrives with Multi-Starrer Tradition Amid Bollywood Decline
Imagine movie stars are like superheroes who usually have their own solo movies.
In Bollywood, it's become rare for superheroes to team up in the same movie, which used to be very popular.
But in Telugu cinema, superheroes have always loved working together!
Movies like 'Waltair Veerayya' and the super-famous 'RRR' show that when stars work together, they can make amazing films that everyone loves.
This tradition started a long time ago, with big stars from the past happily sharing the screen.
Even today, senior actors team up, showing that big stars can put their egos aside.
However, making these team-up movies can be very expensive because the stars are paid a lot, and everyone is very busy with their own solo movies.
So, while the idea is exciting, it's also tricky to make these big movies happen, and sometimes, the stars prefer to fly solo unless there's a really special story and the money works out.
Telugu cinema continues to embrace multi-starrer films, unlike the declining trend in Bollywood.
Successful Telugu multi-starrers like 'Waltair Veerayya' and 'RRR' attribute their success to genuine emotions and layered storytelling.
The tradition of Telugu stars collaborating dates back to the 1950s, with legendary actors setting a precedent for ego-free teamwork.
High star fees and extensive filming schedules pose significant budget and logistical challenges for modern multi-starrer projects.
While directors like SS Rajamouli can successfully unite stars, actors often prioritize solo projects unless an exceptionally compelling story and viable budget emerge.
- Who
- Telugu film industry stars, producers, and directors, in contrast to Bollywood.
- What
- The continued success and tradition of multi-starrer films in Telugu cinema, while Bollywood faces a decline.
- Where
- Primarily in Telugu cinema (Tollywood), with comparisons to Bollywood and Kollywood.
- When
- Currently, with historical context from the 1950s and recent examples.
- Why
- Telugu cinema's culture of collaboration, emphasis on genuine emotions, and professional handling of star egos contribute to the success of multi-starrers, despite economic and scheduling challenges.
Proponents of Multi-Starrers
Skeptics of Multi-Starrers
Audience Appeal
Proponents of Multi-Starrers
Audiences love genuine emotions and the magic of ensemble films, as seen in successful Tollywood multi-starrers like 'Waltair Veerayya' and 'RRR'.
Skeptics of Multi-Starrers
While audiences might appreciate such films, the focus of top stars on individual fan bases and solo projects makes it difficult for them to collaborate, unless a compelling story and manageable budget align.
Star Collaboration & Ego
Proponents of Multi-Starrers
Big stars in Telugu cinema, following the legacy of past legends like NTR and ANR, can collaborate without ego, setting an example of professionalism.
Skeptics of Multi-Starrers
Star insecurities and demanding fees (`75-150 crore) can lead to ballooning budgets (`200-400 crore) and risks, requiring stars to rationalize fees and limit schedules for multi-starrer viability. The current trend favors solo hero projects.
Key facts
- Bollywood Lament
- Filmmaker Karan Johar notes a decline in Hindi multi-starrers.
- Tollywood Tradition
- Telugu cinema consistently produces multi-starrers across generations.
- Notable Telugu Multi-Starrers
- 'Waltair Veerayya', 'RRR', 'Gundamma Katha', 'Maya Bazaar', 'Coolie', 'Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu', 'Gopala Gopala'.
- Global Success
- 'RRR' achieved global acclaim and redefined modern multi-starrers.
- Budget Concerns
- Multi-starrer budgets can range from `200-400 crore due to high star fees.
- Other Film Industries
- Kollywood sees limited multi-starrers, with only veterans like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan engaging in them.
Quotes
Lagadapati Sridhar
Producer
“Despite fan rivalries over billing or screen time, they delivered timeless classics like Gundamma Katha and Maya Bazaar. Their professionalism set an example — that big stars could collaborate without ego.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Manmohan Desai made ensemble films that defined an era. Even recent two-hero films like War 2 couldn’t revive that charm — mostly because of weak writing and star insecurities.”
deccanchronicle.com
Kona Venkat
Writer
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s Bollywood or Tollywood — audiences love genuine emotions. We treated the bond between the two leads in a fresh, layered way — even adding a ‘vertigo’ element to Chiranjeevi’s character to deepen his vulnerability.”
deccanchronicle.com
A leading director
A director offering a realistic view on costs
“With top stars now charging `75–150 crore per film, multi-starrers often balloon to `200–400 crore budgets. Unless stars agree to rationalise fees or limit shooting schedules, such projects remain risky. The economics must balance the egos.”
deccanchronicle.com
A producer
A producer discussing career focus and project viability
“With stars like Prabhas, Allu Arjun, Mahesh Babu, Ram Charan, and Jr NTR focused on expanding their individual fan bases across India, it’s difficult for them to share screen space with their peers. Of course, directors like Rajamouli could pull it off, as stars trust him. Unless an exceptionally exciting story with the right budget comes along, these actors are content with solo-hero projects.”
deccanchronicle.com
