Introduction
Telugu action movies have consistently captivated audiences with diverse genres, political themes, and social messages. The 1990s marked a turning point in Tollywood filmmaking, especially for action films. These movies featured thrilling action scenes, memorable performances, and iconic dialogues. They helped establish stars and redefine Telugu cinema.
Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari (1990)
Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari is a Telugu fantasy action movie from the 1990s directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. The movie starred veterans such as Chiranjeevi and Sridevi as the leads and Amrish Puri as the antagonist. The film title translates to The Supreme Warrior of the World and The Angel of Heaven. Considered one of the top 10 Telugu action movies of the 90s, the movie revolves around the main protagonist, Raju. He finds a ring that gives him divine powers, but the goddess who lost it wants it back to return to her world.
Highlights
The movie was iconic for merging the world-building of fantasy with action and adventure. Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari combines Chiranjeevi’s fearless and bold hero with Sridevi’s ethereal charm and beauty as a celestial being. The movie deploys groundbreaking visual effects for its time, with innovative action scenes that were a pioneer in Telugu cinema at that time. The music and background were also iconic, composed by the legendary Ilaiyaraaja, many of which became chartbusters.
Impact
The movie set standards for box office success in the Telugu film industry, becoming the highest-grossing movie in Telugu cinema for its time. It established Sridevi as a formidable leading lady while also cementing Chiranjeevi’s career. The success eventually promoted countless directors and producers to venture into the genre, leaving its indelible mark as one of the iconic 90s Telugu action films.
Karthavyam (1990)
Karthavyam is a 1990 Telugu cop action film directed by A. Mohan Gandhi, starring Vijayashanti and Vinod Kumar in lead roles. It is one of the rare action movies to have an actress in the lead role, loosely based on the life story of the police officer Kiran Bedi. In the movie, the IPS officer Vyjayanthi strives to make the world a better place through her work by standing for truth and justice. At the same time, she faces a confrontation with a local corrupt leader over his son’s atrocities.
Highlights
Karthavyam portrays a female protagonist, Vyjayanthi, as an IPS officer dedicatedly to performing her duty while facing obstacles from the corrupt system. The movie has a gritty tone, and the action sequences are realistic and hard-hitting. Vijayashanti’s performance was unanimously praised, and she won the National Award for her performance.
Impact
Karthavyam is considered among the top 10 Telugu action movies of the 90s, featuring a female lead, not a common practice in mainstream cinema at the time. It was made on a budget of 90 lakhs and made over 7 crores at the box office. The cast and crew of the movie also won multiple national and international awards. The success of the movie enabled other female-centric films to gain mainstream fame, making it one of the must-watch Telugu action movies from the 1990s.
Kondaveeti Donga (1990)
Kondaveeti Donga is a 1990 Telugu action movie starring Vijayashanti, Chiranjeevi, and Radha in lead roles. The film was directed by A. Kodandarami Reddy, which loosely translates to The Thief of Kondaveedu. The movie plot revolves around the protagonist Kondaveeti Raja, raised by a tribal chieftain who turns to a life of crime to steal from the rich and give it to the poor.
Highlights
The movie was a technical achievement, pioneering in 70 mm format with 6-track stereophonic sound. The fighting scenes were exhilarating and well-choreographed, making it one of the best Telugu action movies from the 90s. Chiranjeevi was able to display his style and agility with competent support from the other actors, such as Vijayashanti and Radha playing Sri Lekha and Sri Kanya, respectively.
Impact
Chiranjeevi’s performance as the Robin Hood-esque figure enraptured the audience, especially during the action sequences. The movie was a major success at the box office, becoming one of the highest-grossing films among 90s Tollywood movies. It paved the way for cinematic portrayals of vigilante heroes in Tollywood cinema.
Bobbili Raja (1990)
Bobbili Raja is a Telugu action romance novel directed and co-written by B. Gopal. The movie stars Venkatesh and Divya Bharati as the leading pair. The plot mainly revolves around a man seeking revenge for his father’s death. It explores the themes of political conflict, love, lost identity, and rediscovering one’s past.
Highlights
Venkatesh’s performance as Raja, who seeks justice for his father, and his romantic chemistry with Rani are unanimously praised. The film features intense emotional drama and high-octane action. The romance between Venkatesh and Divya Bharati offers respite amidst a gritty narrative.
Impact
Bobbili Raja was a pioneer in blending action and romance and is credited with solidifying the formula in the Tollywood industry. The movie was a commercial success, cementing Venkatesh as a bankable action star. The success of the film inspired other filmmakers to explore this genre to reach a wider audience.
Gang Leader (1991)
Gang Leader is a Telugu action drama starring Chiranjeevi and directed by Vijaya Bapineedu. The movie centers around the protagonist Rajaram and his run-in with the law. The film delves into themes of law enforcement exploitation and mob mentality. The music was composed by Bappi Lahiri, and the dance and action sequences were choreographed by Prabhu Deva.
Highlights
Gang Leader features a sizzling chemistry between Chiranjeevi and Vijayashanti, and garnered positive reviews. The film was also iconic for its villain, Ekambaram, played menacingly by Rao Gopal Rao. Gang Leader also features a few of the most high-octane action sequences in Telugu cinema. The performance by the leads and the villain, along with their action sequences, made it one of the best Telugu action movies the 90s had to offer.
Impact
Gang Leader set the tone and the benchmark for gangster movies, both for performance and action. Its exploration of the abuse of power and the psychology of mob mentality has also earned it praise, placing it among the must-watch Telugu action movies of the 1990s.
Aditya 369 (1991)
Directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, Aditya 369 is a Telugu science fiction action movie starring Nandamuri Balakrishna and Mohini in lead roles. The movie is considered the first time-travel film in Indian cinema, revolving around a time-travel machine that transports its passengers throughout history and the future. The movie is considered iconic for its concept and is one of the must-watch Telugu action movies from the 1990s.
Highlight
The sci-fi film is considered groundbreaking for its concept and usage of special effects never seen before in Indian cinema. Aditya 369 blends concepts of history with elements of futuristic world-building. The film is a classic movie praised for its imaginative storytelling and stunning visuals. Nandamuri Balakrishna also gives a memorable performance as a person traveling through time, making it one of the most iconic 90s Telugu action films.
Impact
The movie was one of the most expensive movies made in the Telugu industry at that time. Aditya 369 was commercially successful and opened up doors for the industry in the genre of science fiction. The stunning visuals and pathbreaking story cemented this movie’s legacy of being one of the best Telugu action movies of the 90s.
Gharana Mogudu (1992)
Gharana Mogudu is a Telugu action comedy starring Chiranjeevi and Nagma, directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. The movie title translates to respected or high-class husband and revolves around a man who marries a rich woman and constantly clashes with his opinionated and headstrong wife.
Highlight
Gharana Mogudu blends humour and action and explores gender dynamics through the relationship between Raju (Chiranjeevi) and Uma (Nagma). The film also explores the theme of family values, which also captured the audience’s imagination. Chiranjeevi’s action, dance moves, and comic timing are spot on.
Impact
The movie has grossed more than 10 crores at the box office, the first Telugu movie to do so. The film also won the Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu and featured at the Indian International Film Festival.
Gaayam (1993)
Gaayam is a Telugu action thriller, directed by Ram Gopal Varma and starring Jagapathi Babu, Revathi, and Urmila Matondkar. The film is a regional adaptation of the Hollywood classic “The Godfather,” blending action with elements of a political thriller. The movie explores themes of gang violence and the issue of political corruption. Gaayam is written by Ram Gopal Varma and co-written by Mani Ratnam.
Highlight
The movie is considered one of the best adaptations of The Godfather, with its gritty action and graphic portrayal of violence on screen. Gaayam is emblematic of how politicians use manipulation and violence to win elections and abuse their power. Jagapathi Babu as Durga is effective in playing a character wronged by the system and society. The film was also praised for its cinematography for gritty realism, making it one of the landmark Telugu films of the 1990s.
Impact
Gaayam was a commercial hit and critically acclaimed, with six Nandi awards under its belt. The movie opened doors for remakes in the Telugu industry. It also inspired other filmmakers to make movies with darker shades and graphic violence.
Samarasimha Reddy (1999)
Directed by B. Gopal, Samarasimha Reddy is a landmark film and one of the best Telugu action movies of the 90s. The film stars Nandamuri Balakrishna in the lead role, with Anjala Zaveri, Sanghavi, and Simran in supporting roles. The story follows the protagonist as he defends his village against injustice and villains.
Highlights
Samarasimha Reddy is filled with high-octane action mixed with family values and sentiments. Nandamuri Balakrishna lands his role with charisma and magnetism, and captures the audience’s attention.
Impact
The movie grossed over 20 crores at the box office on a budget of 6 crores. Samarasimha Reddy is a cult classic that brought a refreshing change to Telugu cinema, which was then dominated by romantic comedies.
Anthahpuram (1998)
Anthahpuram is a Telugu action-drama directed by Krishna Vamsi, starring Soundarya, Prakash Raj, and Sai Kumar. The movie is one of the rare female-led films that portrays a woman escaping a patriarchal society. It won multiple awards and was remade in Tamil, with the same name, and in Hindi as “The Shakti: The Power.”
Highlight
The movie holds an iconic status for its portrayal of female power, breaking the shackles of patriarchal society. Inspired by the film “Not Without My Daughter,” the movie revolves around an Indian-origin woman married in Malaysia who gets entangled in a feudalistic society. Soundarya was praised for her performance as Bhanumati, breaking norms and traditions. The cinematography and music also received critical acclaim.
Impact
The movie was critically acclaimed and won prestigious awards from the Filmfare Awards South to the National Awards. In the National Awards, Prakash Raj received a special mention at the ceremony. The movie was commercially successful.
Conclusion
These iconic 90s Telugu action films are remembered not only for their action or spectacle but also for their bold stories, impactful performances, and ambitious themes. The 1990s Telugu films featured a diverse mix of topics, from political thrillers to romantic action dramas to sci-fi action. They also tackled bold topics such as gang violence, political corruption, and feminist issues. These movies are highly recommended for capturing the audience’s imagination. With so many incredible classic Telugu movies out there, wouldn’t it be great to watch them all on one platform? Here’s where DHOOMDB comes in. At DHOOMDB, we offer movies across all genres and in multiple languages, including the films mentioned above. There’s no need to manage different subscriptions. Simply sign up for DHOOMDB and continue watching.
