Do you really think that way? Bollywood has always played a larger part in the Indian Cinema Industry and it has completed its 100 years way back in 2013 and Tollywood is just around 90 years old only, with the first film released in the year 1932. However, we shouldn’t compare it, with respect to its establishment but, we have to consider the difference between the two according to the various parameters. Read below to know which industry is bigger.
The first Telugu-language full-length sound film, Bhakta Prahlada (1932) (transl. Prahlada, the Devotee), is based on Prahlada and Narasimha in Hindu mythology. It is directed by H. M. Reddy, an Indian cinema industry pioneer.
According to producer-director Tammareddy Bharadwaj, “Bollywood films that enjoy both national and worldwide markets make around Rs 200 crore. And here these regional films, released in just one state, have grossed so much already.” The average cost of a Tollywood film featuring a well-known actor is around Rs 45 crore, which adds to the sense of revenue pride. Profit is the only consideration.
It will be an unfair competition between the two as with only a few of the Tollywood films like Robot, Bahubali 1 and 2 have been tremendously successful films on the world stage. But, we cannot deny the fact that there was a contribution from Bollywood as well, in some way or the other.
Tollywood filmmakers admire Bollywood actresses for their fair skin and the glitz and glam they bring to films about Telugu heroes. Tollywood has also imported Bollywood villains, such as Sayaji Shinde, Ashish Vidyarthi, Rahul Dev, and Milind Soman, who have exercised their muscles here and charge up to Rs 20 lakh for each film, in a new trend.
Hence, it is to unjustified to claim that the Regional film Industry, Tollywood is bigger than Bollywood.