# Annapurna Studios

Annapurna Studios is an Indian film studio facility founded in 1976 by the Telugu actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao. It is located on a 22-acre (8.9 ha) site in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. The studio provides comprehensive production and post-production services.
It is also a film production and distribution company, previously known as Annapurna Pictures. Registered in 1951 as Annapurna Pictures (P) Ltd., it was founded by Nageswara Rao and his mentor Dukkipati Madhusudana Rao. The first film made on the banner was Donga Ramudu (1955). It has produced over 60 feature films till date.
In 2011, Akkineni family launched a non-profitable educational institute called the Annapurna International School of Film and Media. The family serves as directors on the company board.

## Annapurna Studios
### Background

Telugu film industry was originally based in based in Madras (now Chennai) before the industry started moving to the capital of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, in the late 1970s, largely due to the influence of Akkineni Nageswara Rao. Nageswara Rao was one of the first to move his film business entirely to Hyderabad, motivating others to follow suit and contributing significantly to the industry's relocation. He made it clear to the film producers that he would work in their films only if they were produced in Andhra Pradesh, except for Vauhini and Venus Studios, for which he used to work in Madras.
In 1976, the Andhra Pradesh government allocated 22 acres of land in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad to Akkineni Nageswara Rao for the purpose of building a film studio, aimed at promoting the Telugu film industry in Hyderabad. According to a Deccan Herald report, the land was secured at a nominal price of ₹7,500–8,000 per acre, totaling approximately ₹1.5–1.8 lakh for the entire plot.

### Foundation

Annapurna Studios was established by Akkineni Nageswara Rao in 1976 on the 22-acre site allotted to him by the Andhra Pradesh government in Banjara Hills. It was inaugurated by the then President of India, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed.
The first film to be made in the studio was Secretary (1976), starring Nageswara Rao and Vanisri, and produced by D. Ramanaidu. This move helped Hyderabad develop into a major centre for Telugu cinema.

### Facilities

The studio mainly provides services for films, including sound stages for set construction, outdoor sets, floors, back-lots, data storage, editing, dubbing, sound effects, visual effects, digital intermediate, Dolby Vision/HDR, stereo and near field mixing, Dolby Atmos sound mixing, 5.1/7.1/9.1 sound mixing, conforming and mastering, HD/UHD/DCP mastering, and screening theatres, among other amenities.
Annapurna Studios' expansive post-production division was established in 2011, under the auspices of C. V. Rao, starting with a small NLE and audio recording facility. In 2012, Akkineni Nagarjuna unveiled five advanced, integrated production floors within the facility. These floors are touted as modern climate-controlled movie production facilities. The new ₹100 crore facility includes shooting floors alongside luxurious five-star make-up rooms, dance rehearsal spaces, a canteen, and reliable diesel generator power. These complement the existing shooting floors, which range from 10,000 to 15,000 square feet, and include outdoor filming areas and backlots.
Annapurna Studios then claimed to offer comprehensive post-production amenities, including editing, dubbing, animation, computer graphics (CG), digital interface, and sound mixing rooms. This was claimed as allowing for the entire film production process, from concept to release, to be completed within the studio. The facilities were tested during the shooting of the film Rajanna (2011).

## Annapurna Pictures

By the turn of the 1950s, Akkineni Nageswara Rao was a sought-after star. His friend and mentor from his theatre days, Dukkipati Madhusudana Rao, felt it was the right time to launch their own production company. Thus was born Annapurna Pictures (P) Ltd., named after Madhusudana Rao’s stepmother. Besides Madhusudana Rao and Nageswara Rao, Katragadda Srinivasa Rao, Koratala Prakasa Rao and T. V. A. Subbarao were its partners. The company was registered in 1951 with Nageswara Rao as chairman and Madhusudana Rao as Managing Director.
The first film made on the banner was Donga Ramudu (1955). The film was co-written and directed by K. V. Reddy. It starred Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri, and Jamuna, with music composed by Pendyala. The film was archived in the curriculum of the Film and Television Institute of India.
Later Annapurna Pictures produced films like Thodi Kodallu (1957), Iddaru Mitrulu (1961), Chaduvukunna Ammayilu (1963), Doctor Chakravarty (1964), Aatma Gowravam (1965), and Aatmiyulu (1969). Annapurna Pictures has produced over 60 feature films till date.

## Film production

Source:
| Year | Film | Director | Cast | Details |
| 2022 | Bangarraju | Kalyan Krishna | Nagarjuna Naga Chaitanya Ramya Krishnan Krithi Shetty | A sequel to Nagarjuna's Soggade Chinni Nayana (2016) Produced in association with Zee Studios |
| 2021 | Anubhavinchu Raja | Sreenu Gavireddy | Raj Tarun | |
| 2021 | The Baker and The Beauty | Jonathan Edwards | Santosh Sobhan | Web series with 10 episodes |
| 2020 | Loser | Abhilash Reddy | Priyadarshi Pulikonda Kalpika Ganesh Shashank Siddamsetty | Web series with 10 episodes |
| 2019 | Manmadhudu 2 | Rahul Ravindran | Nagarjuna Rakul Preet | A sequel to Nagarjuna's Manmadhudu (2002). |
| 2018 | Rangula Ratnam | Sree Ranjani | Raj Tarun Chitra Shukla | |
| 2017 | Hello | Vikram Kumar | Akhil Akkineni Kalyani Priyadarshan | |
| 2017 | Ra Randoi Veduka Chudham | Kalyan Krishna | Akkineni Naga Chaitanya Rakul Preet Singh | |
| 2016 | Nirmala Convent | G. Naga Koteswara Rao | Nagarjuna Roshan Meka Shriya Sharma | Co-produced with Nimmagadda Prasad |
| 2016 | Soggade Chinni Nayana | Kalyan Krishna | Nagarjuna Ramya Krishnan Lavanya Tripathi | |
| 2014 | Oka Laila Kosam | Vijay Kumar Konda | Akkineni Naga Chaitanya Pooja Hegde | |
| 2014 | Manam | Vikram Kumar | Akkineni Nageswara Rao Nagarjuna Akkineni Naga Chaitanya | First time starring three generations of heroes acting together. Got rave reviews from Critics and Audience. Won Santosham Best Film Award |
| 2013 | Uyyala Jampala | Virinchi Varma | Raj Tarun Avika Gor | |
| 2013 | Bhai | Veerabhadram | Nagarjuna Richa Gangopadhyay | Produced in association with Reliance Entertainment |
| 2011 | Rajanna | V. Vijayendra Prasad | Nagarjuna Sneha | Won Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Silver), Nandi Award for Best Child Actress (Baby Annie), Nandi Award for Best Character Actor (Gandhi), Nandi Award for Best Art Director (S Ravinder), Nandi Award for Best Female Playback Singer (Malavika), Nandi Special Jury Award (Nagarjuna) |
| 2005 | Super | Puri Jagannadh | Nagarjuna Ayesha Takia Sonu Sood Anushka Shetty | Won Filmfare Best Comedian in Telugu(Ali), Nominated for Filmfare Best Film in Telugu, Filmfare Best Director (Puri Jagannadh), Filmfare Best Actor (Nagarjuna). Filmfare Best Music Director (Sandeep Chowta), Filmfare Best Actress (Ayesha Takia) |
| 2004 | Mass | Raghava Lawrence | Nagarjuna Jyothika Charmy Kaur | Won CineMAA Award for Best Actor (Nagarjuna), Nominated for Santosham Best Actress Award (Jyothika), Filmfare Best Actor (Nagarjuna). Filmfare Best Actress (Jyothika) |
| 2003 | Satyam | Surya Kiran | Sumanth Genelia D'Souza | |
| 2002 | Manmadhudu | K. Vijaya Bhaskar | Nagarjuna Sonali Bendre | Won Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold) |
| 1999 | Prema Katha | Ram Gopal Varma | Sumanth Antara Mali | Won Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Bronze), Nandi Award for Best Director (Ram Gopal Varma), Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actress (Radhika), Nandi Award for Best Male Dubbing Artist (P.Shankar) |
| 1996 | Ninne Pelladata | Krishna Vamsi | Nagarjuna Akkineni Tabu | Won National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu |
| 1993 | Rakshana | Uppalapati Narayana Rao R. R. Shinde | Nagarjuna Akkineni Shobhana | |
| 1990 | Iddaru Iddare | A. Kodandarami Reddy | Akkineni Nageswara Rao Nagarjuna Akkineni Ramya Krishnan | |
| 1989 | Shiva | Ram Gopal Verma | Nagarjuna Amala | Produced in association with S.S.Creations Won Nandi Award for Best Director (Ram Gopal Varma) |
| 1987 | Agni Putrudu | K. Raghavendra Rao | Nagarjuna Akkineni Akkineni Nageswara Rao Sarada Sivaji Ganesan | First film starring two generations of the Akkineni family |
| 1986 | Vikram | V. Madhusudhana Rao | Nagarjuna Shobhana | Debut Film of Nagarjuna |
| 1983 | Sri Ranga Neethulu | A. Kodandarami Reddy | Akkineni Nageswara Rao Sridevi | |
| 1983 | Prem Tapasya | Dasari Narayana Rao | Jeetendra Rekha Reena Roy | Remake of Premabhishekam |
| 1982 | Yuvaraju | Dasari Narayana Rao | Akkineni Nageswara Rao Jayasudha Sujatha | |
| 1981 | Prema Kanuka | K. Raghavendra Rao | Akkineni Nageswara Rao Sridevi Mohan Babu | |
| 1980 | Premabhishekam | Dasari Narayana Rao | Akkineni Nageswara Rao Sridevi Jayasudha | The film has completed 100 days in 30 centres |
| 1980 | Pilla Zamindar | Singeetam Srinivasa Rao | Akkineni Nageswara Rao Jayasudha Mohan Babu | |
| 1979 | Kalyani | Dasari Narayana Rao | Murali Mohan Jayasudha | |
AA Combines
| Year | Film | Director | Cast | Details |
| 1980 | Buchi Babu | Dasari Narayana Rao | Akkineni Nageswara Rao Jaya Prada | |
AS Combines
| Year | Film | Director | Cast | Details |
| 1990 | Shiva (Hindi) | Ram Gopal Varma | Nagarjuna Amala | |
Great India Entertainments
| Year | Film | Director | Cast |
| 1995 | Sisindri | Siva Nageswara Rao | Akhil Akkineni Nagarjuna Akkineni |
| 1998 | Sri Sita Ramula Kalyanam Chootamu Raarandi | Y. V. S. Chowdary | Akkineni Nageswara Rao Venkat Chandni |
| 1998 | Chandralekha | Krishna Vamsi | Nagarjuna Akkineni Ramya Krishna Isha Koppikar |
| 1998 | Aahaa | Suresh Krissna | Jagapati Babu |
| 1999 | Seetharama Raju | Y. V. S. Chowdary | Nandamuri Harikrishna Nagarjuna Akkineni |
| 2000 | Yuvakudu | A. Karunakaran | Sumanth Bhumika Chawla |
Annapurna Pictures
* 1987 America Abbayi
* 1982 Pelleedu Pillalu
* 1978 Radha Krishna
* 1977 Prema Lekhalu
* 1974 Bangaaru Kalalu
* 1972 Vichitra Bandham
* 1971 Amayakuralu
* 1970 Jai Jawan
* 1969 AatmiyuluAatmiyulu
* 1967 Poola Rangadu
* 1965 Aatma Gowravam
* 1964 Doctor Chakravarty
* 1963 Chaduvukunna Ammayilu
* 1961 Iddaru Mitrulu
* 1961 Velugu Needalu
* 1959 Mangalya Balam
* 1957 Thodi Kodallu
* 1955 Donga Ramudu

## Distribution

* 2022 Sardar - Telugu (Dubbed)
* 2023 Japan - Telugu (Dubbed)
* 2024 Premalu - Telugu (Dubbed)
* 2024 Kalki 2898 AD - Telugu

## Television production

Source:
| Television show | Genre | Channel | Telecast status | Notes |
| Mudda Mandaram | Drama | Zee Telugu | completed | |
| Pasupu Kunkuma | Drama | Zee Telugu | Completed | Nandi Television Award 2011 |
| Pelli Pandiri | Drama | Star Maa | Completed | |
| Theenmar | Dance show | Zee Telugu | Completed | |
| Yuva | Drama | Star Maa | Completed | |
| Love | Drama | Star Maa | Completed | |
| Sasirekha Parinayam | Drama | Star Maa | Completed | Nandi Award – Audiography – M.Rakesh (2015) Nandi Award – Best Script Written – Netaje (2016) Nandi Award – Title Song – Dinakar (2016) |
| Puttinti Pattucheera | Drama | Star Maa | Completed | Nandi Award – First Film Director – Sri Ramoju Venkat |
| Savirahe | Drama | Star Maa | Completed | |
| Geetanjali | Drama | Zee Telugu | Completed | Nandi Award – Best Playback Singer – Pranavi (2015) Makeup Department – K. Rambabu (2015) Nandi Award – Best Leading Actress – B. Roopa (2016) Nandi Award – Best Negative Role, Male – Bramar (2016) |
| Punnaga | Drama | Zee Telugu | Completed | |
| Kathalo Rajakumari | Drama | Star Maa | Completed | |
| Bigg Boss 2 Telugu | Reality show | Star Maa | Completed | |
| Bigg Boss 3 Telugu | Reality show | Star Maa | Completed | |
| Bigg Boss 4 Telugu | Reality show | Star Maa | Completed | |
| Bigg Boss 5 Telugu | Reality show | Star Maa | Completed | |
| Bigg Boss Non-Stop | Reality show | Disney+ Hotstar | Completed | |
| Bigg Boss 6 Telugu | Reality show | Star Maa | Completed | |
| Amma Kosam | Drama | Gemini TV | Completed | |
| Ninne Pelladatha | Drama | Zee Telugu | Completed | |
| Trinayani | Drama | Zee Telugu | On Air | |
| Intti Guttu | Drama | Zee Telugu | Completed | |
| Malli Nindu Jabili | Drama | Star Maa | On Air | |
| Bigg Boss 7 Telugu | Reality show | Star Maa | Completed | |
| Nagapanchami | Drama | Star Maa | On Air | |

## Annapurna International School of Film and Media

Annapurna International School of Film and Media is the only privately managed, non-profit film and media school in India.