Annapurna Studios

Annapurna Studios Pvt Ltd
Company typePrivate
IndustryEntertainment
Founded1976
FounderAkkineni Nageswara Rao
Headquarters,
India
Key people
Akkineni Venkat
Akkineni Nagarjuna
Naga Suseela
Supriya Yarlagadda
Products
Services
WebsiteAnnapurna Studios
AISFM

Annapurna Studios is an Indian film studio facility founded in 1976 by the Telugu actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao.[1] It is located on a 22-acre (8.9 ha) site in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. The studio provides comprehensive production and post-production services.[2]

It is also a film production and distribution company, previously known as Annapurna Pictures. Registered in 1951 as Annapurna Pictures (P) Ltd., it was founded by Nageswara Rao and his mentor Dukkipati Madhusudana Rao. The first film made on the banner was Donga Ramudu (1955). It has produced over 60 feature films till date.[2][3]

In 2011, Akkineni family launched a non-profitable educational institute called the Annapurna International School of Film and Media. The family serves as directors on the company board.[4]

Annapurna Studios

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Background

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Telugu film industry was originally based in based in Madras (now Chennai) before the industry started moving to the capital of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, in the late 1970s, largely due to the influence of Akkineni Nageswara Rao.[1] Nageswara Rao was one of the first to move his film business entirely to Hyderabad, motivating others to follow suit and contributing significantly to the industry's relocation.[4] He made it clear to the film producers that he would work in their films only if they were produced in Andhra Pradesh, except for Vauhini and Venus Studios, for which he used to work in Madras.[1]

In 1976, the Andhra Pradesh government allocated 22 acres of land in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad to Akkineni Nageswara Rao for the purpose of building a film studio, aimed at promoting the Telugu film industry in Hyderabad.[5][6] According to a Deccan Herald report, the land was secured at a nominal price of 7,500–8,000 per acre, totaling approximately 1.5–1.8 lakh for the entire plot.[6]

Foundation

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Annapurna Studios was established by Akkineni Nageswara Rao in 1976 on the 22-acre site allotted to him by the Andhra Pradesh government in Banjara Hills. It was inaugurated by the then President of India, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed.[1]

The first film to be made in the studio was Secretary (1976), starring Nageswara Rao and Vanisri, and produced by D. Ramanaidu. This move helped Hyderabad develop into a major centre for Telugu cinema.[1]

Facilities

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The studio mainly provides services for films, including sound stages for set construction, outdoor sets, floors, back-lots, data storage, editing, dubbing, sound effects, visual effects, digital intermediate, Dolby Vision/HDR, stereo and near field mixing, Dolby Atmos sound mixing, 5.1/7.1/9.1 sound mixing, conforming and mastering, HD/UHD/DCP mastering, and screening theatres, among other amenities.[2]

Annapurna Studios' expansive post-production division was established in 2011, under the auspices of C. V. Rao, starting with a small NLE and audio recording facility.[2] In 2012, Akkineni Nagarjuna unveiled five advanced, integrated production floors within the facility. These floors are touted as modern climate-controlled movie production facilities.[7] The new 100 crore facility includes shooting floors alongside luxurious five-star make-up rooms, dance rehearsal spaces, a canteen, and reliable diesel generator power. These complement the existing shooting floors, which range from 10,000 to 15,000 square feet, and include outdoor filming areas and backlots.[7]

Annapurna Studios then claimed to offer comprehensive post-production amenities, including editing, dubbing, animation, computer graphics (CG), digital interface, and sound mixing rooms. This was claimed as allowing for the entire film production process, from concept to release, to be completed within the studio. The facilities were tested during the shooting of the film Rajanna (2011).[7]

Annapurna Pictures

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Annapurna Pictures
Company typePrivate
IndustryEntertainment
Founded1951
FounderD. Madhusudhana Rao
Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Katragadda Srinivasa Rao
Koratala Prakasa Rao
T. V. A. Subbarao
Headquarters,
India
ProductsFilm
ServicesFilm production

By the turn of the 1950s, Akkineni Nageswara Rao was a sought-after star. His friend and mentor from his theatre days, Dukkipati Madhusudana Rao, felt it was the right time to launch their own production company.[8] Thus was born Annapurna Pictures (P) Ltd., named after Madhusudana Rao’s stepmother.[9] Besides Madhusudana Rao and Nageswara Rao, Katragadda Srinivasa Rao, Koratala Prakasa Rao and T. V. A. Subbarao were its partners.[10][8] The company was registered in 1951 with Nageswara Rao as chairman and Madhusudana Rao as Managing Director.[8]

The first film made on the banner was Donga Ramudu (1955). The film was co-written and directed by K. V. Reddy.[10] It starred Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri, and Jamuna, with music composed by Pendyala. The film was archived in the curriculum of the Film and Television Institute of India.[11]

Later Annapurna Pictures produced films like Thodi Kodallu (1957), Iddaru Mitrulu (1961), Chaduvukunna Ammayilu (1963), Doctor Chakravarty (1964), Aatma Gowravam (1965), and Aatmiyulu (1969). Annapurna Pictures has produced over 60 feature films till date.[2][3]

Film production

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Source: [3]

Year Film Director Cast Details
2022 Bangarraju Kalyan Krishna Nagarjuna

Naga Chaitanya
Ramya Krishnan
Krithi Shetty

A sequel to Nagarjuna's Soggade Chinni Nayana (2016)

Produced in association with Zee Studios

2021 Anubhavinchu Raja Sreenu Gavireddy Raj Tarun
2021 The Baker and The Beauty Jonathan Edwards Santosh Sobhan Web series with 10 episodes
2020 Loser Abhilash Reddy Priyadarshi Pulikonda

Kalpika Ganesh

Shashank Siddamsetty

Web series with 10 episodes[12][13]
2019 Manmadhudu 2 Rahul Ravindran Nagarjuna
Rakul Preet
A sequel to Nagarjuna's Manmadhudu (2002).[14]
2018 Rangula Ratnam Sree Ranjani Raj Tarun
Chitra Shukla
2017 Hello Vikram Kumar Akhil Akkineni
Kalyani Priyadarshan
2017 Ra Randoi Veduka Chudham Kalyan Krishna Akkineni Naga Chaitanya
Rakul Preet Singh
2016 Nirmala Convent G. Naga Koteswara Rao Nagarjuna
Roshan Meka
Shriya Sharma
Co-produced with Nimmagadda Prasad[15]
2016 Soggade Chinni Nayana Kalyan Krishna Nagarjuna
Ramya Krishnan
Lavanya Tripathi
2014 Oka Laila Kosam Vijay Kumar Konda Akkineni Naga Chaitanya
Pooja Hegde
2014 Manam Vikram Kumar Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Nagarjuna
Akkineni Naga Chaitanya
First time starring three generations of heroes acting together.[16][17]

Got rave reviews from Critics and Audience.

Won Santosham Best Film Award

2013 Uyyala Jampala Virinchi Varma Raj Tarun
Avika Gor
2013 Bhai Veerabhadram Nagarjuna
Richa Gangopadhyay
Produced in association with Reliance Entertainment[18][19]
2011 Rajanna V. Vijayendra Prasad Nagarjuna
Sneha
Won Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Silver),

Nandi Award for Best Child Actress (Baby Annie),
Nandi Award for Best Character Actor (Gandhi),
Nandi Award for Best Art Director (S Ravinder),
Nandi Award for Best Female Playback Singer (Malavika),
Nandi Special Jury Award (Nagarjuna)

2005 Super Puri Jagannadh Nagarjuna
Ayesha Takia
Sonu Sood
Anushka Shetty

Won Filmfare Best Comedian in Telugu(Ali),
Nominated for Filmfare Best Film in Telugu,
Filmfare Best Director (Puri Jagannadh),
Filmfare Best Actor (Nagarjuna).
Filmfare Best Music Director (Sandeep Chowta),
Filmfare Best Actress (Ayesha Takia)

2004 Mass Raghava Lawrence Nagarjuna
Jyothika
Charmy Kaur

Won CineMAA Award for Best Actor (Nagarjuna),
Nominated for Santosham Best Actress Award (Jyothika),
Filmfare Best Actor (Nagarjuna).
Filmfare Best Actress (Jyothika)

2003 Satyam Surya Kiran Sumanth
Genelia D'Souza
2002 Manmadhudu K. Vijaya Bhaskar Nagarjuna
Sonali Bendre
Won Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)
1999 Prema Katha Ram Gopal Varma Sumanth
Antara Mali

Won Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Bronze),
Nandi Award for Best Director (Ram Gopal Varma),
Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actress (Radhika),
Nandi Award for Best Male Dubbing Artist (P.Shankar)

1996 Ninne Pelladata Krishna Vamsi Nagarjuna Akkineni
Tabu
Won National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu
1993 Rakshana Uppalapati Narayana Rao
R. R. Shinde
Nagarjuna Akkineni
Shobhana
1990 Iddaru Iddare A. Kodandarami Reddy Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Nagarjuna Akkineni
Ramya Krishnan
1989 Shiva Ram Gopal Verma Nagarjuna
Amala

Produced in association with S.S.Creations
Won Nandi Award for Best Director (Ram Gopal Varma)

1987 Agni Putrudu K. Raghavendra Rao Nagarjuna Akkineni
Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Sarada
Sivaji Ganesan
First film starring two generations
of the Akkineni family
1986 Vikram V. Madhusudhana Rao Nagarjuna
Shobhana
Debut Film of Nagarjuna
1983 Sri Ranga Neethulu A. Kodandarami Reddy Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Sridevi
1983 Prem Tapasya Dasari Narayana Rao Jeetendra
Rekha
Reena Roy
Remake of Premabhishekam
1982 Yuvaraju Dasari Narayana Rao Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Jayasudha
Sujatha
1981 Prema Kanuka K. Raghavendra Rao Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Sridevi
Mohan Babu
1980 Premabhishekam Dasari Narayana Rao Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Sridevi
Jayasudha
The film has completed 100 days in 30 centres[20]
1980 Pilla Zamindar Singeetam Srinivasa Rao Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Jayasudha
Mohan Babu
1979 Kalyani Dasari Narayana Rao Murali Mohan
Jayasudha

AA Combines

Year Film Director Cast Details
1980 Buchi Babu Dasari Narayana Rao Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Jaya Prada

AS Combines

Year Film Director Cast Details
1990 Shiva (Hindi) Ram Gopal Varma Nagarjuna
Amala

Great India Entertainments

Year Film Director Cast Details
1995 Sisindri Siva Nageswara Rao Akhil Akkineni
Nagarjuna Akkineni
1998 Sri Sita Ramula Kalyanam Chootamu Raarandi Y. V. S. Chowdary Akkineni Nageswara Rao
Venkat
Chandni
1998 Chandralekha Krishna Vamsi Nagarjuna Akkineni
Ramya Krishna
Isha Koppikar
1998 Aahaa Suresh Krissna Jagapati Babu
1999 Seetharama Raju Y. V. S. Chowdary Nandamuri Harikrishna
Nagarjuna Akkineni
2000 Yuvakudu A. Karunakaran Sumanth
Bhumika Chawla

Annapurna Pictures

Distribution

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Television production

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Source: [3]

Television show Genre Channel Telecast status Notes
Mudda Mandaram Drama Zee Telugu completed
Pasupu Kunkuma Drama Zee Telugu Completed Nandi Television Award 2011[21]
Pelli Pandiri Drama Star Maa Completed
Theenmar Dance show Zee Telugu Completed
Yuva Drama Star Maa Completed
Love Drama Star Maa Completed
Sasirekha Parinayam Drama Star Maa Completed Nandi Award – Audiography – M.Rakesh (2015)

Nandi Award – Best Script Written – Netaje (2016)

Nandi Award – Title Song – Dinakar (2016)

Puttinti Pattucheera Drama Star Maa Completed Nandi Award – First Film Director – Sri Ramoju Venkat
Savirahe Drama Star Maa Completed
Geetanjali Drama Zee Telugu Completed Nandi Award – Best Playback Singer – Pranavi (2015)

Makeup Department – K. Rambabu (2015)

Nandi Award – Best Leading Actress – B. Roopa (2016)

Nandi Award – Best Negative Role, Male – Bramar (2016)

Punnaga Drama Zee Telugu Completed
Kathalo Rajakumari Drama Star Maa Completed
Bigg Boss 2 Telugu Reality show Star Maa Completed
Bigg Boss 3 Telugu Reality show Star Maa Completed
Bigg Boss 4 Telugu Reality show Star Maa Completed
Bigg Boss 5 Telugu Reality show Star Maa Completed
Bigg Boss Non-Stop Reality show Disney+ Hotstar Completed
Bigg Boss 6 Telugu Reality show Star Maa Completed
Amma Kosam Drama Gemini TV Completed
Ninne Pelladatha Drama Zee Telugu Completed
Trinayani Drama Zee Telugu On Air
Intti Guttu Drama Zee Telugu Completed
Malli Nindu Jabili Drama Star Maa On Air
Bigg Boss 7 Telugu Reality show Star Maa Completed
Nagapanchami Drama Star Maa On Air

Annapurna International School of Film and Media

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Annapurna International School of Film and Media is the only privately managed, non-profit film and media school in India.[22]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "ANR inspired Telugu film industry's shift from Chennai". The Hindu. 22 January 2014. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Colorfront Transkoder delivers a masterful performance at Annapurna Studios" (PDF).
  3. ^ a b c d "Production". Annapurna Studios Official Website. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  4. ^ a b Kamineni, Rajeev; Rentschler, Ruth (13 May 2020). Indian Movie Entrepreneurship: Not just song and dance. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-429-68612-2.
  5. ^ Nadendla Bhaskara Rao (2008). Walking with Destiny. Sarvadharma Nilayam. p. 160.
  6. ^ a b "Akkineni Nageswara Rao's Annapurna Studios' Land, Bought At Rs 1.5 Lakh, Is Now Worth Rs 650 Crore". News18. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  7. ^ a b c "New facilities at Annapurna Studios". The Hindu. 16 April 2012. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  8. ^ a b c రావి, కొండలరావు (2 September 2018). "ఆణిముత్యాలు - 'ప్రమాణాలు' వద్దనుకుంటే... 'దొంగరాముడు' వచ్చాడు". సితార (in Telugu). Eenadu. Archived from the original on 2 September 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  9. ^ "నేటితో అరవై ఏళ్ళు పూర్తి చేసుకున్న 'దొంగరాముడు'". Andhra Jyothi (in Telugu). 1 October 2015. Archived from the original on 12 June 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  10. ^ a b Narasimham, M. L. (3 July 2014). "Donga Ramudu (1955)". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  11. ^ Sashidhar AS (13 August 2012). "Donga Ramudu was included in FTII". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  12. ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (11 May 2020). "Priyadarshi is an air rifle shooter in the web series 'Loser'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  13. ^ "Annapurna Studios announces sport drama Loser - Telugu Movie News". Xappie.com. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  14. ^ "Nagarjuna to act next in 'Manmadhudu' sequel". The News Minute. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  15. ^ "Nirmala Convent (Production)". Telugu 360.com. 2 July 2016.
  16. ^ "Akkineni multi-starrer movie Manam". timesofap.com. 2 February 2013. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  17. ^ "Reliance in tie-up with Annapurna Studios for two films in 2013". idlebrain.com.
  18. ^ "Nagarjuna's Bhai release date confirmed". Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  19. ^ "Sonu Sood joins the cast of Nagarjuna's Bhai". 123telugu.com. 25 December 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  20. ^ "ANR's 100 days films list". idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  21. ^ "Pasupu Kunkuma bags Nandi TV Award". The Hindu. 12 November 2012.
  22. ^ "Annapurna Studios launches International Film School". The Hindu. 30 June 2011.