The Cinema of Andhra Pradesh also known as ‘Tollywood’, Telugu Film industry is a part of Indian cinema based in Hyderabad, India. Raghupati Venkaiah Naidu involved in Indian cinema since 1909, is known as the father of Telugu cinema. He produced first silent film ‘Bhishma Pratigna’ in the state in 1921. On 15th September 1931, first Telugu film with audible dialogue, ‘Bhakta Pralhada’ was produced by H.M.Reddy. This day is observed as Telugu Cinema Day every year commemorating its release. In 1951 ‘Pataal bhairavi ‘was first south Indian film which was showcased in the India International Film Festival, held in Mumbai on 24th January 1952. Telugu cinema has been known for being commercially consistent, having an influence over commercial cinema in India. The industry is one of the largest producers of folklores, fantasy, mythological and melodrama films. Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, as the largest film studio in world, was opened in 1996 with in an area of 674 hectares, with 47 sound stages it has permanent sets ranging from railway stations to temples. The Ramoji Film City is awarded a Guinness record.
Tollywood have a long cast and crew member line, which includes many celebrities who have initiated their career from the Telugu industry. One of these is ‘Vishakha Singh’ an Indian film actress and producer. She was born in Abu Dhabi on 5th may 1987. She did start her career with television and print commercials. Telugu movie ‘Gnaapakam’ in 2007 was her debut. After being featured in movies of Hyderabad she made her debut in Hindi films by a film ‘Hum Se Jahan’ but she was noticed in an award winning film ‘Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se’ directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. The film earned Vishakha a nomination for Stardust Award for Breakthrough Performance-Female. In 2012 Vishakha ventured into film production. She co-produced Peddlers; the film was selected at Cannes Critic Week at Cannes Film Festival 2012. Vishakha have been featured in four films this year of which three were Hindi films ‘Fukrey’, ‘Ankur Arora’s Murder Case’ and ‘Bajate Raho’ and a Tamil film ‘Kanna Laddu Thinna Asariya’ and with a forth coming film in Tamil ‘Motorcycle Diaries’.
Vishakha have act in many Kollywood and Bollywood films she didn’t always wanted to be an actor, but the bug of acting hit her when Ashutosh Gowariker spotted her in 2003. It’s been six years since the actress made her debut in Telugu movies and after Bollywood and Kollywood movies she was seen to be ready for the T-Town again. Vishakha’s return in Tollywood with a rowdy fellow, opposite Nara Rohit in a film directed by the lyricist Krishna Chaitanya. The actress was reported to be happy and nervous at the same time as she was worried about not knowing the language which would cost her extra time to complete the movie, but happy for the work with Krishna Chaitanya as the director needs a perfect shot in a single take no cuts and rolls. The movies of Hyderabad welcome the old friend with a warm heart with the ever increasing audience. The film city with the best technicians and the largest studio of world never has been stone hearted to any of the actor or cast and crew. The reports said only about the cast while the film still holds a mystery in it.