The origins of Telugu cinema are deeply rooted in theatrical tradition. The first Telugu silent film, Bhishma Pratigna (1921), was directed by Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu, considered the "father of Telugu cinema." The first talkie, Bhakta Prahlada (1931), revolutionized the industry by incorporating dialogue and songs.
Telugu cinema, popularly known as , has grown from its mythological roots in the early 1930s into a global cinematic powerhouse. From the first talkie, Bhakta Prahlada list of telugu films