May 9th is a special day for the Telugu cinema. On this day, four trendsetting movies have released in different years. Each belongs to a different genre and consists of elements that were either benchmark or followed by others, making them ‘trendsetters’. Here is a look at them.
1 Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari
Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari was a big-budget fantasy entertainer starring Megastar Chiranjeevi and Sridevi in the lead. It is the first time they were paired together in a movie. K Raghavendra Rao weaved magic with the pair and left many star-struck. The songs and the entertainment is evergreen. It has set a benchmark for fantasy entertainers in Telugu.
2 Gang Leader
Gang Leader released on May 9th, exactly a year after Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari. Megastar Chiranjeevi scored ‘Industry Hit’ in back to back years. Gang Leader redefined the ‘heroism’ and ‘attitude’ of lead hero in Telugu cinema.
3 Preminchukundam Raa
The Venkatesh and Anjala Zaveri starrer is a love story from Suresh Production. We have many blockbuster love stories in Telugu cinema, but what separates Preminchukundam Raa is a ‘trend setting’ element. It is the introduction of ‘faction’ in Telugu. Several films turned ‘Industry Hit’ at the box office using the ‘Rayalaseema Faction’ formula. Remember, it all started here.
4 Mahanati
The film that revived the fortunes of Vyjayanthi Movies banner and established Nag Ashwin as a name to reckon with also arrived on May 9th. It is a sentiment day of sorts for the banner (they also released Kantri and Maharshi on the same day). Mahanati proved that biopics also can be commercially successful and paved the way for many to be green-lighted later. The multiple awards and rewards were just a by-product of the great content in hand.
