Telugu Cinema saw very less number of Theatrical releases due to ongoing pandemic and occupancy issues this year. Out of those few releases in comparison to regular times, some movies became blockbuster hits and some became superhits and breakeven hits. Here is the list of those Telugu films
Blockbuster films of 2021
Krack
Mass Maharaja Ravi Teja delivered a huge blockbuster with Krack after many flops following Raja The Great movie. Gopichand Malineni proved to be a successful director for the actor. Even though the movie did not come up with a new concept, Ravi Teja's characterisation and action parts helped the movie to become such a massive hit.
Uppena
Panja Vaishnav Tej and Krithi Shetty made a blockbuster debut in Telugu Cinema with this film. Bucchi Babu Sana debuted as director after working with Sukumar for a decade. Sukumar said that he treats Bucchi Babu as his son prior to the release and he produced the movie along with Mythri Movie Makers. Devi Sri Prasad's music for the film became a blockbuster hit and helped the movie to become such a huge hit.
Jaathi Ratnalu
Jaathi Ratnalu firmly established Naveen Polishetty as a box office star in Telugu Cinema. Anudeep returned to direction with this film after Pittagoda and tasted success. Director Nag Ashwin produced the movie.
Akhanda
Balakrishna and Boyapati Srinu combination created magic at the box office for the third time. Action sequences and Balakrishna's performance as Akhanda - Aghora turned out to be assets of the film. SS Thaman's BGM score for the film also turned out to be a huge asset.
Hit Films of 2021
Vakeel Saab
Pawan Kalyan returned to Telugu Films after a three year gap with this film. He remade Nerkonda Paarvai in the direction of Venu Sriram and Dil Raju produced the film. Movie had a huge opening and sustained a good theatrical run even though only 50% occupancy was allowed during its run.
Love Story
Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi combination earned the hearts of Telugu audiences. Naga Chaitanya further made a name for himself as a performer with this film. Shekar Kammula's guts to take up a different subject for mainstream romantic film were appreciated but climax was panned. Movie emerged a hit for all parties involved.
Most Eligible Bachelor
Akhil Akkineni delivered a hit with Most Eligible Bachelor. Bommarillu Bhaskar directed the film and Pooja Hegde acted as female lead. Movie started with a mixed talk but sustained momentum at the box office.
Naandhi
Allari Naresh delivered a performance of his life in the film and audiences accepted him in a serious role after a decade of flops in comedy films. People appreciated Naresh and director Vijay Kanakamedala for their efforts.
Pushpa :The Rise
Allu Arjun firmly established himself as a Pan India star with this film. Movie is collecting huge in the Hindi circuits without much promotions. Movie already crossed the 40 crore Nett mark and in Tamil Nadu, Kerala markets, the movie took best opening for a Telugu movie starring Allu Arjun. In Telangana state, the movie could end up being Allu Arjun's best ever crossing Ala Vaikuntapurramuloo shares. In Andhra Pradesh state, the movie is struggling due to ongoing ticket pricing issues.
Breakeven Hits
Red
Red Movie turned out to be a decent grosser for Ram Pothineni and the movie did breakeven business using Sankranthi holidays advantage.
30 Rojullo Preminchadam Ela
Neeli Neeli Akasam composed by Anup Rubens became a chartbuster and the song's popularity helped the movie to register a huge opening at the box office on the opening day. Even though the film could not sustain momentum after the opening weekend, the collections registered during the weekend helped the movie to achieve breakeven status. Anchor Pradeep debuted as leading man with this film.
Zombie Reddy
Prashanth Varma delivered a comic caper with Zombie Reddy. The team shot during the pandemic and finished on a tight budget. The unique premise helped the movie to gross the investments at theaters for all parties involved.
SR Kalyana Mandapam
SR Kalyana Mandapam turned out to be a decent grosser at the box office when no one expected it to perform well. Kiran Abbavaram and Sai Kumar were appreciated for their performances.
Pelli SandaD
Meka Srikanth's son Roshan acted in this film as a lead and Sree Leela debuted as female lead. She is an American born Indian and she managed to create a fanbase with her grace, looks and performance. Movie surprised everyone with its collections.
Seetimaarr
Gopichand, Tamanna and Sampath Nandi delivered a decent entertainer with this sports drama. Movie struggled post the first week but it collected enough to recover costs as per the reports.
Dubbed Films
Master
Thalapathy Vijay's market in Telugu increased leaps and bounds post Thuppakki. Master film proved it and the movie turned out to be profitable for all parties involved. Anirudh Ravichander's blockbuster hit music turned out to be an asset for the film.
Doctor
Doctor turned out to be a surprise hit for Sivakarthikeyan in Telugu and it helped him establish a market in Telugu states. Anirudh Ravichander's BGM and songs for the film became a massive hit.
Kurup
Dulquer Salmaan's Kurup took a decent opening for the actor's market and established to exhibitors, distributors that the actor has a recognisable market in Telugu states.
Spiderman: No Way Home
Marvel shocked the world with Spiderman No Way Home collections and Telugu markets are not left behind. Spiderman had a decent box office collection for a dubbed Hollywood film even though there is a film like Akhanda running at the theaters.
Note: Nani's Shyam Singh Roy box office status is yet to be known by the time this article has been compiled.
Blockbuster films of 2021
Krack
Mass Maharaja Ravi Teja delivered a huge blockbuster with Krack after many flops following Raja The Great movie. Gopichand Malineni proved to be a successful director for the actor. Even though the movie did not come up with a new concept, Ravi Teja's characterisation and action parts helped the movie to become such a massive hit.
Uppena
Panja Vaishnav Tej and Krithi Shetty made a blockbuster debut in Telugu Cinema with this film. Bucchi Babu Sana debuted as director after working with Sukumar for a decade. Sukumar said that he treats Bucchi Babu as his son prior to the release and he produced the movie along with Mythri Movie Makers. Devi Sri Prasad's music for the film became a blockbuster hit and helped the movie to become such a huge hit.
Jaathi Ratnalu
Jaathi Ratnalu firmly established Naveen Polishetty as a box office star in Telugu Cinema. Anudeep returned to direction with this film after Pittagoda and tasted success. Director Nag Ashwin produced the movie.
Akhanda
Balakrishna and Boyapati Srinu combination created magic at the box office for the third time. Action sequences and Balakrishna's performance as Akhanda - Aghora turned out to be assets of the film. SS Thaman's BGM score for the film also turned out to be a huge asset.
Hit Films of 2021
Vakeel Saab
Pawan Kalyan returned to Telugu Films after a three year gap with this film. He remade Nerkonda Paarvai in the direction of Venu Sriram and Dil Raju produced the film. Movie had a huge opening and sustained a good theatrical run even though only 50% occupancy was allowed during its run.
Love Story
Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi combination earned the hearts of Telugu audiences. Naga Chaitanya further made a name for himself as a performer with this film. Shekar Kammula's guts to take up a different subject for mainstream romantic film were appreciated but climax was panned. Movie emerged a hit for all parties involved.
Most Eligible Bachelor
Akhil Akkineni delivered a hit with Most Eligible Bachelor. Bommarillu Bhaskar directed the film and Pooja Hegde acted as female lead. Movie started with a mixed talk but sustained momentum at the box office.
Naandhi
Allari Naresh delivered a performance of his life in the film and audiences accepted him in a serious role after a decade of flops in comedy films. People appreciated Naresh and director Vijay Kanakamedala for their efforts.
Pushpa :The Rise
Allu Arjun firmly established himself as a Pan India star with this film. Movie is collecting huge in the Hindi circuits without much promotions. Movie already crossed the 40 crore Nett mark and in Tamil Nadu, Kerala markets, the movie took best opening for a Telugu movie starring Allu Arjun. In Telangana state, the movie could end up being Allu Arjun's best ever crossing Ala Vaikuntapurramuloo shares. In Andhra Pradesh state, the movie is struggling due to ongoing ticket pricing issues.
Breakeven Hits
Red
Red Movie turned out to be a decent grosser for Ram Pothineni and the movie did breakeven business using Sankranthi holidays advantage.
30 Rojullo Preminchadam Ela
Neeli Neeli Akasam composed by Anup Rubens became a chartbuster and the song's popularity helped the movie to register a huge opening at the box office on the opening day. Even though the film could not sustain momentum after the opening weekend, the collections registered during the weekend helped the movie to achieve breakeven status. Anchor Pradeep debuted as leading man with this film.
Zombie Reddy
Prashanth Varma delivered a comic caper with Zombie Reddy. The team shot during the pandemic and finished on a tight budget. The unique premise helped the movie to gross the investments at theaters for all parties involved.
SR Kalyana Mandapam
SR Kalyana Mandapam turned out to be a decent grosser at the box office when no one expected it to perform well. Kiran Abbavaram and Sai Kumar were appreciated for their performances.
Pelli SandaD
Meka Srikanth's son Roshan acted in this film as a lead and Sree Leela debuted as female lead. She is an American born Indian and she managed to create a fanbase with her grace, looks and performance. Movie surprised everyone with its collections.
Seetimaarr
Gopichand, Tamanna and Sampath Nandi delivered a decent entertainer with this sports drama. Movie struggled post the first week but it collected enough to recover costs as per the reports.
Dubbed Films
Master
Thalapathy Vijay's market in Telugu increased leaps and bounds post Thuppakki. Master film proved it and the movie turned out to be profitable for all parties involved. Anirudh Ravichander's blockbuster hit music turned out to be an asset for the film.
Doctor
Doctor turned out to be a surprise hit for Sivakarthikeyan in Telugu and it helped him establish a market in Telugu states. Anirudh Ravichander's BGM and songs for the film became a massive hit.
Kurup
Dulquer Salmaan's Kurup took a decent opening for the actor's market and established to exhibitors, distributors that the actor has a recognisable market in Telugu states.
Spiderman: No Way Home
Marvel shocked the world with Spiderman No Way Home collections and Telugu markets are not left behind. Spiderman had a decent box office collection for a dubbed Hollywood film even though there is a film like Akhanda running at the theaters.
Note: Nani's Shyam Singh Roy box office status is yet to be known by the time this article has been compiled.