Telugu Movie Recs?

I’ve always felt it was a better idea to get recs from people that are familiar with the cinema/can understand the language fully. So first let me chuck in some better people to ask; @varshakaalam, @arjunkapoors, @desigirlmeetsworld, @caught-between-worlds, @tollywoodfever, @tollywoodprema (I’m sure there’s a bigger Telugu community that I’m not aware of so sorry if I haven’t included you). As for my favourites;

• Manam (2014); definitely my favourite- I live for reincarnation stories with plenty of parallels and word play.
  
• Magadheera (2009); the first Telugu movie I ever saw. I basically love it for the same reasons as above- if not for the story and Rajamouli
• Baahubali *the thing with this is that if you need subtitles basically every language it released in EXCEPT Telugu is available online with subs* (2015); the epitome of grand Indian film-making and truly an experience. Very much deserving of every bit of praise it gets.
• Bommarillu (2006); cutie patootie rom com with all the right family moments. A joy to watch Sid and Genelia at their best.
• 100% Love (2011); again, one of my favourite rom coms. I remember this being dubbed into every South Indian language. It’s different :)
• Ninne Pelladata (1996); idek I think I’m just weak for the family dynamic and how cute Nagarjuna and Tabu’s characters were, especially the whole love track. The ending is a little Indian TV drama though XD.
• Pilla Zamindar (2011); I actually watched this after Sravya suggested it and I loved it. Full of fun and an ever charming Nani.
• Chatrapathi (2005); pre-Baahuabli Prabhas & Rajamouli. I think the reason I love it is because I ignore most of the action scenes and focus on the Shriya/Prabhas romance, Banupriya, and the songs.
• Aarya (2004) and Aarya 2(2007); there is a reason Allu Arjun has an insane amount of fans in Kerala. Heck, there’s a reason Telugu movies are released in Kerala- these films are that reason.
• Varsham (2004); amazing songs and plenty of Prabhas/Trisha/Rain cute.
• Yevade Subramanyam (2015); a really lovely, beautiful travel/self-discovery film 
• Geethanjali (1989); Mani Ratnam at his emotionally-manipulating-best. If the terminal illness arc doesn’t kill you (no pun intended) Ilaiyaraja’s music sure will.
• Nenunnanu (2004); I think you just sort of appreciate movies like Nenunnanu, among many others made from that period (2000-2005), because they remind you so much of your childhood and love and family and leave you with that warm feeling of nostalgia (that one you get watching K3G or HSSH). + it has such lovely songs. Freakin’ Shriya looks so young and innocent and beautiful.
• Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju (2015); just a lovely romance with some beautiful actors. Whoever styled Nithya needs like 25 National Awards because wow.
• Eega (2012); honestly, this level of imagination…I mean…like. DAMN. Rajamouli ki jai. I will tell you when I will be tired of reincarnation stories- n e v e r.
• Manmadhudu (2002); as you can see Nagarjuna is my Mammootty for Telugu cinema.(although…). And just to chuck a random fact out there Deepika Padukone debuted in the Kannada remake of this film. 
• Rudraveena (1988); this is more on the award/parallel/classic cinema scale. But my god, Chirenjeevi and Shobana *hearteyes at the Queen* really are spectacular. Also songs (yes, Telugu songs win)!
• Chakram (2005); this is such a complicated film because you don’t know whether to laugh at Prabhas’ moustache, smile at his cute antics, or cry over the fact that he’s dying (I’m sorry if that’s a spoiler but we basically find out in the early part of the movie). It’s like a lighter version of Geetanjali. 
• Leader (2010); Rana debuted in this movie!!!! and he looked great!!! and it’s a really awesome political drama!!!
• Shiva (1989); I mean classic action drama- I have to chuck this in. 
• Mirchi (2013); Prabhas in dress shirts. That is all. Actually, Prabhas and Anushka, my precious top floor babies. 
• Mr Perfect (2011); although the reasoning behind a lot of what happens in this movie is a bit over my head, it’s filled with a lot of adorable moments and perhaps one of the few movies Kajal doesn’t annoy me too much in.
• Ala Modalaindi (2011); an incredibly sweet rom com ft. an incrediably sweet lead pair ie. Nani and Nithya Menen. 
• Dookudu (2011); I have a complicated relationship with Dookudu. I simply adore ever song- they’re all so much fun. And I love the family dynamic. I have a little bit of a problem with how Sam/Mahesh’s love arc goes but I guess it’s sort of like…I’ll let that slide (like Bangalore Days)
• Pokiri (2006); The thing is I watched the Tamil remake and liked how mass/entertain-y that was so I watched the original (practice what you preach after all) and it was even better so yes, do watch. 
• King (2008); filed under- so bad it’s good. Guilty Pleasure #1
  
• Yevudu (2014); Guilty Pleasure #2

*as you can see, my preferences basically circulate around 3 actors. I also like watching most of Jr.NTR’s films just to hear the man talk but I can’t think of one that I specifically like right now? Yamadooga maybe?

**there are also some that I didn’t include because they’re already on my kanmani @aadhiskanmani‘s Malayalam/Telugu/Tamil rec list- so do check that one out.

Movies I haven’t seen but I’m looking forward to watching; Bhale Bhale Magadivoy and Kanche

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