It looks like the lines between real life and reel life in Telugu cinema are blurring, and hard-hitting stories are taking centre-stage. For many years, Telugu cinema was known for escapist movies, but new-gen directors are now serving realistic fare reflecting day-to-day problems and showcasing the achievements of ordinary people in mainstream cinema.
Recent blockbuster Uppena talked about caste discrimination destroying young lovers and Color Poto exposed the ill-treatment of dark-skinned people through the protagonist played by Suhas. Earlier, Dorasani depicted the arrogance of feudal lords, while George Reddy was about caste discrimination in college. And blockbuster Rangasthalam focussed on honour killing to score big at the box office, setting a trend for close-to-life themes. Now, young actor Sharwanand will be playing an ordinary, lungi-clad farmer in his upcoming movie Sreekaram while Akashavani realistically depicts the woes of tribal people.
“Escapist movies…