Rustic Stories Make A Strong Comeback

For many years, rustic village-based films were a major part of Telugu cinema. Stories set in villages, especially in the Rayalaseema region, attracted audiences with their strong emotions, action, family drama, and local culture. Later, urban stories and modern themes became more popular, and village films slowly became less common.

Everything changed in 2018 with Rangasthalam. Directed by Sukumar and starring Ram Charan, the film was set in a village during the 1980s. It had no mobile phones, no internet, and focused completely on the lives of ordinary people. Before its release, many people were unsure about its success because of its unique style. However, the film became a huge blockbuster and remains one of the biggest hits in Ram Charan’s career.

After the success of Rangasthalam, many filmmakers started exploring similar village-based stories. Films like Dasara, Pushpa, Harom Hara, Bhairavam, and the upcoming Paradise all use rural settings and strong emotional conflicts. Some movies became blockbusters, while others did not perform well. Still, producers realized that well-made village dramas have strong commercial value.

Another interesting trend is the growing number of films set in Rayalaseema, especially around the Tirupati region. These movies are bringing local culture, dialects, traditions, and powerful characters back to the big screen. Audiences seem to be enjoying these authentic rural stories once again.

The latest film Lenin also follows this successful pattern. The story begins in 1986 and stays true to that period without adding modern-day references. It is built around a revenge story and features emotional village characters. While the film has both strengths and weaknesses, it has connected well with audiences and is performing well at the box office. It could even become a major breakthrough for Akhil, who has been waiting for a big commercial success.

Many in the industry believe Sukumar created a trend that continues to inspire filmmakers. With several more rural dramas currently under production, it looks like Tollywood’s love for rustic and Rayalaseema-based stories is far from over.