Annapurna Studios is an Indian film studio facility founded in 1976 by the Telugu actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao. It is located on a 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 College of Film and Media. The family serves as directors on the company board.

Annapurna Studios

Background Telugu film industry was originally based in Madras (now Chennai) before the industry started moving to the capital of Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana), 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 7,5008,000 per acre, totaling approximately 1.51.8 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). Visual effects

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 Details2026LeninMurali Kishor AbburuAkhil Akkineni Bhagyashri BorseProduced in association with Sithara Entertainments2026Dacoit: A Love StoryShaneil DeoAdivi SeshMrunal ThakurAnurag KashyapProduced in association with S. S. Creations and Suniel Narang Production2022BangarrajuKalyan KrishnaNagarjuna Naga ChaitanyaRamya KrishnanKrithi ShettyA sequel to Nagarjuna's Soggade Chinni Nayana (2016) Produced in association with Zee Studios 2021Anubhavinchu RajaSreenu GavireddyRaj Tarun2021The Baker and The BeautyJonathan EdwardsSantosh SobhanWeb series with 10 episodes2020LoserAbhilash ReddyPriyadarshi Pulikonda Kalpika Ganesh

Shashank SiddamsettyWeb series with 10 episodes2019 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 Prasad2016 Soggade Chinni Nayana Kalyan Krishna NagarjunaRamya KrishnanLavanya Tripathi 2014 Oka Laila Kosam Vijay Kumar Konda Akkineni Naga Chaitanya Pooja Hegde 2014ManamVikram KumarAkkineni Nageswara RaoNagarjunaAkkineni Naga ChaitanyaFirst time starring three generations of heroes acting together. Got rave reviews from Critics and Audience.

Won Santosham Best Film Award2013Uyyala JampalaVirinchi VarmaRaj TarunAvika Gor2013BhaiVeerabhadramNagarjunaRicha Gangopadhyay Produced in association with Reliance Entertainment2011RajannaV. Vijayendra PrasadNagarjunaSnehaWon 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)2005SuperPuri JagannadhNagarjunaAyesha TakiaSonu SoodAnushka ShettyWon 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)2004MassRaghava LawrenceNagarjunaJyothikaCharmy KaurWon CineMAA Award for Best Actor (Nagarjuna), Nominated for Santosham Best Actress Award (Jyothika), Filmfare Best Actor (Nagarjuna). Filmfare Best Actress (Jyothika)2003SatyamSurya KiranSumanthGenelia D'Souza2002ManmadhuduK. Vijaya BhaskarNagarjunaSonali BendreWon Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Gold)1999Prema KathaRam Gopal VarmaSumanthAntara MaliWon 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)1996Ninne PelladataKrishna VamsiNagarjuna AkkineniTabuWon National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu1993RakshanaUppalapati Narayana RaoR. R. ShindeNagarjuna AkkineniShobhana1990 Iddaru IddareA. Kodandarami ReddyAkkineni Nageswara RaoNagarjuna AkkineniRamya Krishnan1989ShivaRam Gopal VermaNagarjunaAmalaProduced in association with S.S.Creations Won Nandi Award for Best Director (Ram Gopal Varma)1987Agni PutruduK. Raghavendra RaoNagarjuna AkkineniAkkineni Nageswara Rao SaradaSivaji GanesanFirst film starring two generations of the Akkineni family1986VikramV. Madhusudhana RaoNagarjunaShobhanaDebut Film of Nagarjuna1983Sri Ranga NeethuluA. Kodandarami ReddyAkkineni Nageswara RaoSridevi1983Prem TapasyaDasari Narayana RaoJeetendraRekhaReena RoyRemake of Premabhishekam1982YuvarajuDasari Narayana RaoAkkineni Nageswara RaoJayasudhaSujatha1981Prema KanukaK. Raghavendra RaoAkkineni Nageswara RaoSrideviMohan Babu1980PremabhishekamDasari Narayana RaoAkkineni Nageswara RaoSrideviJayasudhaThe film has completed 100 days in 30 centres1980Pilla ZamindarSingeetam Srinivasa RaoAkkineni Nageswara RaoJayasudhaMohan Babu1979KalyaniDasari Narayana RaoMurali MohanJayasudha Great India Entertainments Year Film Director Cast Details2000YuvakuduA. KarunakaranSumanthBhumika Chawla1999Seetharama RajuY. V. S. ChowdaryNandamuri HarikrishnaNagarjuna Akkineni1998AahaaSuresh KrissnaJagapati Babu1998ChandralekhaKrishna VamsiNagarjuna AkkineniRamya KrishnaIsha Koppikar1998Sri Sita Ramula Kalyanam Chootamu RaarandiY. V. S. ChowdaryAkkineni Nageswara RaoVenkatChandni1995SisindriSiva Nageswara RaoAkhil AkkineniNagarjuna Akkineni AS Combines Year Film Director Cast Details1990 Shiva (Hindi)Ram Gopal VarmaNagarjunaAmala 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 Aatmiyulu 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 AA Combines Year Film Director Cast Details1980Buchi BabuDasari Narayana RaoAkkineni Nageswara RaoJaya Prada

Digital Intermediate Source: Year Film Director Producer Details2025Good Bad UglyAdhik RavichandranMythri Movie Makers

Distribution 2022 Sardar - Telugu (Dubbed) 2023 Japan - Telugu (Dubbed) 2024 Premalu - Telugu (Dubbed) 2024 Kalki 2898 AD - Telugu 2026 Karuppu - Telugu (Dubbed) 2026 Sardar 2 - Telugu (Dubbed)

Television production Source: Television show Genre Channel Telecast status NotesMuddha MandaramDramaZee TelugucompletedPasupu KunkumaCompletedNandi Television Award 2011Pelli PandiriStar MaaCompletedTheenmarDance showZee TeluguCompletedYuvaDramaStar MaaCompletedLoveCompletedSasirekha ParinayamCompletedNandi AwardAudiographyM.Rakesh (2015)

Nandi AwardBest Script WrittenNetaje (2016)

Nandi AwardTitle SongDinakar (2016)Puttinti PattucheeraCompletedNandi AwardFirst Film DirectorSri Ramoju VenkatSaviraheCompletedGeetanjaliZee TeluguCompletedNandi AwardBest Playback SingerPranavi (2015)

Makeup DepartmentK. Rambabu (2015)

Nandi AwardBest Leading ActressB. Roopa (2016)

Nandi AwardBest Negative Role, MaleBramar (2016)PunnagaCompletedKathalo RajakumariStar MaaCompletedBigg Boss 2 TeluguReality showCompletedBigg Boss 3 TeluguCompletedBigg Boss 4 TeluguCompletedBigg Boss 5 TeluguCompletedBigg Boss Non-StopDisney+ HotstarCompletedBigg Boss 6 TeluguStar MaaCompleted Amma Kosam DramaGemini TVCompletedNinne PelladathaZee TeluguCompleted Kumkuma Puvvu Star Maa CompletedTrinayaniDrama Supernatural fictionZee TeluguCompleted Intti GuttuDramaCompleted Malli Nindu JabiliStar MaaCompletedBigg Boss 7 TeluguReality showStar MaaCompletedNagapanchamiDrama Supernatural fiction Star MaaCompleted

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.

References

External links

Annapurna Studios on IMDb