6 famous Tollywood actors who have ventured into film production

Setting up a film production banner has become a trend among actors in the Telugu film industry, as a way of retaining creative and financial control. If some of the actors aren’t fulfilled with acting, they are attracted to other roles that make them happy. However, let’s have a look at some of the Tollywood actors who ventured into film production.

Having taken on various roles in front of the camera so far, Akkineni Nagarjuna has certainly accumulated many Tollywood praises through the years. What is lesser known about the talented actor is his extremely successful career as a producer and co-owner of Annapurna Studios, which was established in 1975. The company regularly focuses on romantic family entertainers, including the last releases ‘Ra Randoi Veduka Chudham’ and ‘Hello’, in which his both sons starred. Raj Tarun starrer ‘Rangula Ratnam’ (2018) was also his production venture.

Becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of filmmakers in the Tollywood, Nandamuri Kalyanram decided to establish his own production company. Using much of his own funds, he launched NTR Arts named after his grandfather Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao. Since he’s consistently produced big, money-making films that have received several accolades and critical acclaim, many of which he also starred in. The production company has produced films, including ‘Athanokkade’, ‘Hare Ram’, ‘Pataas’, ‘Kick 2’, and ‘Jai Lava Kusa’ so far.

Ram Charan made his debut with the film ‘Chirutha’ in 2007. His big breakthrough came when he starred in the SS Rajamouli directorial film ‘Magadheera’ in 2009, shortly followed by romantic love story ‘Orange’ (2010), which was an all-time musical hit. He got his start as a producer when he brought 'Khaidi No 150' to the screen. This is his star father Chiranjeevi’s come back film. He founded Konidela Production Company and its latest effort, ‘Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy’, will be released in theatres this year.

Beginning his acting career in ‘Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi’ (1997), Pawan Kalyan’s resume went from strength to strength, starring in blockbuster hits like ‘Gokulamlo Seeta’ (1997), ‘Suswagatham’, ‘Tholi Prema’ (1998), ‘Thammudu’ (1999), ‘Badri’ (2000), and ‘Kushi’ (2001). This year Pawan Kalyan and his beloved director friend Trivikram friend are all set to produce ‘Chal Mohan Ranga’, a romantic comedy entertainer that will come out via Shresht Movies and Pawan Kalyan Creative Works. The production company was behind his 2016 film ‘Sardaar Gabbar Singh’, which was performed poorly at the box office.

Boasting his acting career that began with the Teja directorial film ‘Jayam’ in 2002, Nithiin has continued to capture audiences’ hearts with his boy-next-door persona. He took a pragmatic turn to production in 2013, creating Shresht Movies with his father, Sudhakar Reddy, who was a distributor. The actor produced Akhil Akkineni’s debut film ‘Akhil’, which was directed by VV Vinayak. The company was also behind films like ‘Gunde Jaari Gallanthayyinde’ and ‘Chinnadana Nee Kosam’.

After making a name for himself as an actor, Mahesh Babu took matters into his own hands and launched production company MB Corporation. The company has produced all of the actor’s films since, including, ‘Srimanthudu’ and ‘Brahmotsavam’. The Koratala Siva directorial film was a blockbuster hit and the Srikanth Addala’s film bombed at the box office. Mahesh Babu has four projects in his kitty. He will team up with Vamshi Paidipally, Sukumar, Sandeep Reddy Vanga and SS Rajamouli.