In New Delhi for a literary program, writer and media professional Renta Jaydev handed over a copy of his Telugu book Mana Cinema – First Reel, Published by Hyderabad-based Imesco books, for a writer-friend who is known for his doubt towards film literature. This friend believed that most of the books on cinema attract attention for the wrong reasons. A few days later, after reading the book, he admitted that he was pleasant with his depth and passion.
Nandi Award winner (2011) Jaydev for the film criticism said, “I am happy that the book gave him its views about film literature.” This year has been incidental for him – the book has received a review, and he was awarded the Ugadi Puruskram for his contribution to journalism and literature by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Mana Cinema – First ReelSolving the long-standing myths about Tamil and Telugu Talky Aars, the Telugu film Chamber of Commerce also motivated to declare ‘Telugu Cinema Foundation Day’ on 6 February, which marks the release of the first full-length Telugu Talkie. Devotee Prahlad In 1932.
The book charts the development of visual medium in a century, from silent films to sound, gives it details with trivia. This challenges misinformation and urges readers not to visually accept ‘facts’.
This is a hearty call that is a heartfelt call to identify the Pivatal Roll Telugu-box personalities-like LV Prasad, HM Reddy, Pedi Jayaraj, and YV Rao Rao-Indian cinema is played.
Edited excerpt from a conversation:
How was the seed sown for the book?
The book takes shape from my research. My father, Renta Gopalakrishna, was a theater artist, translator, journalist and writer. Despite more than 200 literary contribution, he was never honored with an honorary PhD. He was called ‘Renta’ by colleagues. I wanted to bring visibility to his name through academic work.
Initially, I planned my doctorate on the development of dialogue in Telugu cinema, from silent films to the talkies. My guide was not thrilled, but I extended it for seven years. Eventually, when the deadline was reduced and I had to register again, I was advised to switch the subjects for my father’s poetry. I complied, but the original idea never left me. Over the next 14 years, it increased in a book. By December 2024, the manuscript was done, and the book was published.
The idea of ​​detecting the development of cinema is ambitious. How do you reach its structure?
I started by detecting the silent film era globally, then moved to its origin in India, which was focusing on infection for interaction, began. Alam AraI then discovered the development of cinema in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam. Even though I focused on dialogues, the manuscript was more than 500 pages.
The silent film era was eventful – the obstacles of sound design, the need to import technical equipment, the rise of Calcutta, Bombay, and as Madras Powerhouse. What did your attention attract?
Everything about that era fascinated me; The challenge was keeping it brief. They were attractive times. How can you convert to a distributor, how to make the theater of Raghupati Venkaiah Naidu, a photographer at Mount Road, Madras, produce a studio and direct movies?
One aspect that hurts me is the ignorance of South Indians to record our history. Why did no one attempt to verify the release dates Kalidas Or Devotee PrahladHow Narayanan shot a talkie film, Srinivas Kalyanam, In 1934 in Madras? One story gave the other.
How did you verify the deadline around the early Tamil and Telugu films?
In the 90s, I spent the early part of my career in Chennai. I became eager about cinematic history. After work, I attended the screening of world cinema in film clubs and cultural centers. In an example, a conversation with a film historian gave the book a new direction.
Historian, while revealing the evidence around the release Kalidas (Which was wrongly declared as Tamil Talkie for the first time) In 1931, challenged me to tell me that Devotee Prahlad (Telugu film) was released a few months ago. His tone harassed me. This inspired me to find out that later only released in 1932.
A scene of ‘Bhakta Prahlad’. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Revote around Devotee Prahlada Release (February 6, 1932) created a wave in the industry. In this process, I found some stranger – that Kalidas There was no Tamil film in the first place. I stumbled on an interview (since 1931) where prominent actor Kalidas, TP Rajalakshmi spoke of rehearsing the Telugu dialogues in the Tamil script in the shooting. How can our history be wrong? I had to find an answer.
The book first busts myths around Tamil and Telugu talkies …
I drowned myself in research for 13 years. By Alam Ara Success, a Telugu talkie was conceived and had to direct HM Reddy KalidasWho scouted for new talents in Madras. Popular writer K Subramanyam suggested that he believes for a silent film actress, TP Rajalakshmi.
HM Reddy
Around the strength of Rajalakshmi – some sections were shot in Kuruthi dances and songs (in Tamil), after which she filmed Kalidas (In Telugu). It was primarily a four-reel Telugu film, including Tamil songs, dance, Tygaraja Critis, which included as part of the package. A Tamil Review by Kalki Krishnamurthy (in the magazine Anand Vikatan) It validate it. I could not wrap my head around the fact that Telugus did not bother to certify it for so long.
Why do you think that no one has questioned the claim?
We may have to write journalists on Telugu cinema, but most of them were lost in their day-to-day commitments. In addition, we have very few quality historians. Even my initial intention was not to compete with historical claims. When historian challenged me to find evidence Devotee Prahlada Release, science student was restless in me.
I ran from Pillar to post documents, newspapers clippings, images and photocopies from Pillar. I was directionless for a long time. This was a painful discovery for the truth.
Trivia breed the book. On the segment Alam Ara (1931), Devotee pole (1937), Balan (1938) Riveting.
I was clear that I did not want it to be a thesis. If I am to make an average reader aware of facts, deadlines and different history of industries, the book needs a strong hook.
My intention is to throw light on the contribution of the Telugu people to the 1900s industries. I want readers to know about Kannada (actress Lakshmi’s father, director, actress Lakshmi’s father Sati SukochanFirst Kannada Talki), Popularity of Sarda in Malayalam, HM Reddy’s leading appearance in early Talky years. To make history alive, it must be personal. I consider myself as a reader first and then, as a writer.
If i read about Devotee poleI would like to know how he used a dummy tiger to film a scene with a child artist. Can you imagine an action sequence in Kannada film Sati Sukochan Was shot using three cameras in 1934? As a fond Chawla film fond, if these stories encourage me, I am sure that the reader will feel the same. Perhaps, my journalism experience has a role in it.
How did films become a large medium in India?
Cinema has always wooed the public, in the early 1910s, on time Raja Harischandra (1913). with Lanka Dahan (1917), there were examples of people coming to theaters in bull vehicles. Imagine the crowd, for one of the early silent films, paid to see a train trick on the screen.
Whenever there is a paradigm change in storytelling, from the stage plays to cinema, there were hiccups, but the mob embraced the change.
Film review is a touching theme today. How was the situation back then?
The first Telugu Talkie film review, Kalidas, Kalki Krishnamurthy, invited criticism from another publication, claimed that his review was harsh. Like this example of the 1930s, reviews can invite a lot of plays equally from media and film fraternity. The criticism of the film has not changed much in more than 100 years.
(Mana Cinema – First Reel price is ₹ 750; leading bookstores and online.)
Published – May 15, 2025 03:14 pm IST
