Electrifying performances of 2024

The year 2024 was a cinematic whirlwind for Telugu cinema, a feast of contrasts that left audiences both satiated and yearning for more.

- ADITYA DEVULAPALLY

On one hand, the industry delivered pan-Indian behemoths like Kalki 2898 AD, starring Prabhas, that shook the nation with their scale and ambition. On the other hand, smaller, writing-driven films like 35 quietly took over the audience's pulse.

A report suggests that a staggering 311 films, including dubbed releases, hit the screens last year. Amidst this avalanche of stories, certain performances stood out, leaving us in awe. It's been a while since we've seen Mahesh Babu this hungry to sink his teeth into a character. As Ramana Gaadu in Trivikram Srinivas's Guntur Kaaram, he carried the weight of an otherwise skeletal plot on his shoulders. Particularly unforgettable is his "Dance of depression" in the song 'Mawaa Enthaina,' an entertaining yet oddly liberating sequence that became a cultural touchstone on social media in 2024. Ramana, the character evolved into a symbol for collective venting—a mirror reflecting the silent struggles of an entire generation.