Telugu cinema continues to thrive and generate significant excitement with highly anticipated releases. This year has already seen a surge of entertainment with several Telugu movies, and many more projects are lined up. This promises a feast for viewers.
With the rise of digital platforms, many fans have found it convenient to enjoy their favorite movies from home digitally. Among the numerous OTT platforms, Netflix stands out as a prominent choice with a large subscriber base. Moreover, Netflix is actively expanding its collection of Telugu movies, catering to the diverse tastes of the audience.
As Telugu cinema continues to grow, this list looks at the best projects available to watch on Netflix.
Tillu Square
Tillu Square, the latest romantic comedy, premiered in theaters on March 29, 2024. It is a sequel to the 2022 film DJ Tillu. Directed by Mallik Ram, this film was produced by Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas. It stars Siddhu Jonnalagadda as Bala Gangadhar Tilak, aka DJ Tillu, and Anupama Parameswaran as Lilly Joseph. The supporting cast includes Muralidhar Goud, Murali Sharma, Prince Cecil, and Anish Kuruvilla.
The plot revolves around Tillu, whose life turns unexpectedly after he meets Lilly and becomes entangled in a mysterious murder. In an interview with The Hindu, Siddhu Jonnalagadda revealed it is not based on a true story. However, he drew inspiration from his real-life observations to create the character of DJ Tillu.
With a runtime of 2 hours and 17 minutes, Tillu Square promises a mix of romance, comedy, and crime. It is currently available on Netflix in Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu. Additionally, English subtitles are also available for the film.
Guntur Kaaram
Mahesh Babu’s latest Telugu action drama, Guntur Kaaram, was released on January 12, 2024. The film competed with three other releases—HanuMan, Saindhav, and Naa Saami Ranga—at the box office. Director Trivikram Srinivas had officially announced it in May 2021 under the tentative title SSMB28. It also marks the third collaboration between Trivikram and Mahesh Babu, after Athadu and Khaleja.
The film follows the story of Ramana, who was abandoned by his mother at an early age. His mother leaves him and his father for reasons known only to her. As Ramana grows up, his grandfather, Venkataswamy, forces him to separate from his mother permanently.
The Telugu film stars Mahesh Babu in the lead role alongside Sreeleela, Meenakshi Chaudhary, and Prakash Raj. Currently, Guntur Kaaram is streaming on Netflix and is available only in Telugu with English subtitles.
Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire
Following the success of the K.G.F franchise, director Prashanth Neel brought the action back to the big screen with Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, which premiered on December 22, 2023. The film not only achieved commercial success at the box office but also became the third-highest-grossing Telugu film of all time. Due to its intense action and violent sequences, the Central Board of Film Certification awarded the film an ‘A’ certificate.
Salaar: Part 1 stars Prabhas, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Shruti Haasan, Easwari Rao, Jagapathi Babu, and others. The Netflix synopsis reads, “The fate of a violently contested kingdom hangs on the fraught bond between two friends-turned-foes in this saga of power, bloodshed, and betrayal.”
With 2 hours and 55 minutes of runtime, it is currently streaming in Telugu only with English subtitles. However, the story does not conclude in its first part. The makers are scheduled to release its sequel in December 2024, titled Salaar Part 2: Shouryanga Parvam.
Hi Nanna
Directed by Shouryuv, the Telugu romantic drama made its theatrical debut on December 7, 2023. Produced by Vyra Entertainments, the film features Nani as Viraj, Mrunal Thakur as Yashna, and Kiara Khanna as Mahi in the lead roles.
Hi Nanna follows the story of aspiring photographer Viraj and his daughter, Mahi. Their lives take a turn when Yashna enters their lives. Unknown to both Mahi and Yashna, the latter is actually Mahi’s mother—a fact that only Viraj is aware of. The film delves into the loving relationship between father and daughter, as well as the romantic chemistry between Viraj and Yashna.
Upon its theatrical release, the film received mostly positive reviews from the audience and critics. Meanwhile, this film also marks Nani’s 9th film to collect over $1 million and his 3rd project to cross the $1.5 million mark. The film is currently streaming on Netflix in Telugu with English subtitles.
Anweshippin Kandethum
Anweshippin Kandethum is a gripping crime thriller set in the 1990s in Kottayam. It premiered on the big screen on February 9, 2024. Directed by Darwin Kuriakose, the film follows the story of a police officer engaged in solving a high-profile murder case. It further delves into the lives of local police officers and the challenges they face during the investigation.
The film cast includes Tovino Thomas, Siddique, Indrans, Shammi, Thilakan, and Baburaj in crucial roles. Initially released in Malayalam, it is now available for streaming on Netflix in multiple languages, including Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu, with English and Hindi subtitles.
In the meantime, Telugu cinema is gearing up for the release of the upcoming Telugu movie Kalki 2898 AD, set to premiere on June 27, 2024. It will be interesting to see if this film leaves a considerable mark on the box office.
