Bollywood might be known for its charismatic romantic movies with the most enchanting plots but Tollywood is no less. It’s high time we stop overlooking the magical movies produced by the South Indian film industry. Characterised by subtle and realistic storylines, Telugu romantic movies are the best way to dig into the world of South Indian romance. Here’s a list of some evergreen Telugu romantic movies that will make you believe in love again.
1. Sagara sangamam (1983)
Sagara Sangama is one of the hidden gems of Indian cinema. A directorial masterpiece of K. Vishwanath, it s a musical romance with Kamal Hassan and Jaya Pradhan in the lead roles. The beautiful portrayal of the love for art and also the old-school romance between the leads make this movie a piece of art itself. Isaingani Ilayaraja’s songs are another reason to watch the movie. The movie has proven to be an all-time classic and is a must-watch for all cinephiles. It is available to watch on Voot.
2. Manmadhudu (2002)
Starring Nagarjuna and Sonali Bendre, Manmadhudu is another Telugu Romantic movie that you should add to your watch list. It follows our very favourite enemies-to-lovers trope wherein the male lead who’s a misogynist and often mistreats women seems to fall in love with the assistant manager of his agency. The movie was widely appreciated for its witty and humourous dialogues and its songs and is still watched by audiences worldwide. You can watch Manmadhudu on Hotstar for free.
3. Kalyana Ramudu (2003)
Kalyana Ramudu is an interesting watch containing many plots and twists. It follows the story of Kalyana Ramudu (played by Venu Thottempudi), a wedding planner, whose life takes an unexpected turn when he falls in love with the sister of the bride for whom he was supposed to plan the wedding. The story might sound simple but there is more chaos that ensues. The movie also stars Prabhu Deva which means that entertainment is guaranteed. Overall, the movie is a suitable watch if you’re craving some playful romance.
4. 7G Rainbow colony (2004)
The movie will make you have multiple opinions on the protagonist simply in a span of 2 hours. It is again a kind of enemies-to-lovers trope where the male lead’s perspective on life and on love shifts drastically. It is a simple love story showcasing how love can change a person. It’s not just the plot of the movie that deserves appreciation but also the music and above all the actors’ performances. It is not a very family-friendly movie but it is definitely worth a watch.
5. Bommarillu (2006)
Siddarth might just be the King of Romance in the Telugu Film industry. Bommarillu is an ideal watch for all from com lovers. It follows the cute love story of Siddarth, a rich guy who goes against his controlling father and falls in love with Hansini (Genelia D’souza). It’s a movie that transcends the language barrier and is liked and rewatched by many till now. Bommarillu is available on Voot.
6. Oy! (2009)
I never understood how watching movies could make someone cry. Watching Oy! answered all of my questions. the emotions that this movie evokes are truly one of a kind. The romantic dynamic between Siddarth and Shamlee who are the main leads throughout the movie will make you smile but you will have to brace yourself for the ending. This directorial debut of Anand Raga continues to have a huge following. You can watch the movie on youtube for free.
7. Ye Maaya Chesave (2010)
The movie stars Naga Chaitanya and Samantha and is known for their onscreen chemistry which also translated into them being an offscreen couple. Ye Maaya Chesave is a story of forbidden love, of how a boy crosses all notions of conventionality to be with the girl he loves the most. It is one of the Best Telugu Romantic Movies to date. You can watch it on Amazon Prime or Zee5
8. Pelli Choopulu (2016)
Pelli Choopullu is again one of the most recommended romantic movies. It was also remade in Hindi by the name of “Mitron”. However, Mitron did not have the charm that Pelli Choopullu carried. With Vijay Devrakonda, Ritu Varma and Priyadarshi Pullikonda, the movie’s screenplay and its songs are what make it an amusing watch. It also contains bits of comedy and portrays how love, especially with the right person can change your life for good.
9. Arjun Reddy (2017)
Calling this movie a romantic movie would be a little controversial but we are gonna do it anyway considering how much the audience loved the movie and also its Hindi remake Kabir Singh. Arjun Reddy follows the story of a possessive lover whose life turns into a complete mess after being rejected by his girlfriend’s parents for marriage. Both films were highly controversial for portraying a negative and toxic image of love but we have to give credit where it’s due. Vijay Devrakonda’s performance in the movie is beyond compare. The director too was lauded for doing an incredible job with the movie. This movie was one of the highest-grossing movies of its time and is available to watch on several platforms like Amazon prime and Hotstar.
10. Ninnu Kori (2017)
Ninnu Kori is another beautiful movie with a bittersweet message. It stars Nivetha Thomas, Aadhi and Murali Sharma in the lead roles and tells the story of how an ex-boyfriend tries his best to win back his former lover who is now married by creating a rift between the couple. The movie sends a strong message of how letting go and moving on is also an act of love in its own way. The music suits the background and the plot well and aids in the smooth flow of the story. You can watch Ninnu Kori on Amazon Prime.
11. Majili (2019)
Another Naga Chaitanya and Samantha movie, Majili does not follow a conventional love story. It shows the power of unrequited love and makes us reflect on whether we are looking in the right place for love. It is the work of Shiva Nirvana who also happens to be the director of Ninnu Kori. Both these movies are characterized by simple and realistic characters which are relatable. This is what made the movie one of the best Telugu Romantic Movies. Majili is available on Hotstar
12. Sita Ramam (2022)
There’s no way we could miss adding this movie to the list of Telugu romantic Films. Sita Ramam proved to be the embodiment of perfectly crafted old-school romance. Dulquer Salmaan is everyone’s favourite and watching him in such a remarkable yet poignant love story made even the toughest ones cry. Mrunal Thakur and Rashmika Madanna’s performances too surpassed the audience’s expectations. The story is beautiful yet simple with the purest form of love one could find in current romantic movies. To conclude, Sita Ramam which is available on Amazon Prime is a must-watch.
13. Vinaro Bhagyamu Vishnu Katha
Vinaro Bhagyamu Vishnu Katha is a romantic thriller movie with a modern love story. It stars Kiran Abbavaram, Kashmira Pardeshi, Murali Sharma, Subhalekha Sudhakar. It revolves around the concept of “number neighbours” and contains tons of twists that keep the audience in suspense. This combination of thrill and romance which is very rarely explored by directors could be a reason for the film’s success. It is an entertaining movie that will soon be available on streaming platforms.
Valentine’s day is long gone, but we could all make use of these Telugu Romantic movies to invoke some sense of romance in our lives!
Also Read: 12 Must Watch South Indian Movies Based On College Life