10 Underrated Telugu Romantic Movies You Should Watch (Hidden Gems) 10 Underrated Telugu Romantic Movies You Should Watch (Hidden ...
10 Underrated Telugu Romantic Movies You Should Watch (Hidden Gems)
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Discover some of the underrated, stunning Telugu romantic movies that overflow with heart, with enchanting performances and classic love stories. Ideal for someone seeking a heartfelt experience.
Introduction
Telugu romance movies tend to be colorful and emotionally rich in their romantic stories, but they don't always get the hype they deserve. There are quite a few understated Telugu romance movies with great love stories, sweet moments, and characters you can root for. If you're craving a romantic night in, take a look at this list of underrated Telugu romance movies you should totally add to your lineup.
1. Kshana Kshanam (1991)
Director: Ram Gopal Varma
Cast: Venkatesh, Sridevi
About:
A gripping romance thriller, Kshana Kshanam blends action, suspense, and deep romance. A girl on the run and a man who falls in love with her in unexpected circumstances—this film remains one of the best in Venkatesh and Sridevi’s career.
2. Oohalu Gusagusalade (2014)
Director: Avasarala Srinivas
Cast: Naga Shourya, Rashi Khanna
About:
A charming romantic comedy, the movie has a light but deep take on love, miscommunication, and second chances. With its sharp dialogue and authentic emotions, it is one of the finest undiscovered gems in contemporary Telugu cinema.
3. Tholi Prema (1998)
Director: Karunakaran
Cast: Pawan Kalyan, Keerthi Reddy
About:
Tholi Prema is a gorgeous romantic story of first love, heartbreak, and fate. The soft story and enchanting music of the film continue to touch hearts of fans, though it was not as well liked when it was initially released.
4. Madhumasam (2007)
Director: K. V. Anand
Cast: Sumanth, Sneha
About:
A movie that portrays the intricate patterns of love after marriage, Madhumasam is a delicate, realistic picture of relationships, the tender progression from infatuation to depth of connection, and the dilemmas of individual and emotional space.
5. Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana (2005)
Director: Prabhu Deva
Cast: Siddharth, Trisha
About:
A feel-good romantic drama set against the backdrop of rural India, this film portrays the innocence of love. It's a light and uncomplicated film with tender performances, particularly by Trisha, who splendidly gives life to her role.
6. Andhala Rakshasi (2012)
Director: Hemanth Madhukar
Cast: Naveen Chandra, Shwetha Basu Prasad
About:
Shot in the setting of the 1990s, the movie is about a tragic yet convoluted romance. Unique as its writing and emotive nature, as impressive a movie it was, received too less publicity.
7. Ee Nagaraniki Emaindhi (2018)
Director: Tharun Bhascker
Cast: Sree Vishnu, Abhinav Gomatam, Venkatesh Kakamanu
About:
A beautiful tale of love, friendship, and dreams. While it was enjoyed for the way it presented relationships and youth, the film remains a secret treasure for most people. It blends love, dreams, and the relationships within friendships seamlessly.
8. Prema Ishq Kaadhal (2013)
Director: P. S. Reddy
Cast: Sree Vishnu, Ruhani Sharma
About:
A sweet and simply narrated tale of love at various stages of life. The movie does not depend on melodramatic storylines but deals with real emotions and the way things happen in relationships.
9. Pelli Sandadi (1996)
Director: K. Raghavendra Rao
Cast: Srikanth, Ravali
About:
This 1996 romantic drama shines for its classic love story and strong performances. Even though it is slightly outdated, Pelli Sandadi aged well and stands as a good old-school classic for those who enjoy retro romance.
10. Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju (2015)
Director: Kranthi Madhav
Cast: Sharwanand, Nithya Menen
About:
A lovely love tale that takes its own time to develop, Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju is a past, lost love, and found love movie. It's understated, poetic, and just heartwarming.
Where to Watch These Movies?
BONUS MOVIES
Devadasu (1953)
Director: Vedantam Raghavayya | Cast: Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri
A poignant story of thwarted love, Devadasu is more than a film—it's a feeling ingrained in Telugu culture. Starring ANR in the lead role, based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel, this tear-jerking romance between Devadas and Parvati captures love tied by societal norms. ANR's poignant performance and evergreen songs such as "Jagame Maaya" continue to reverberate in the hearts of cinema enthusiasts.
Geethanjali (1989)
Director: Mani Ratnam | Cast: Nagarjuna, Girija
A milestone in Telugu romantic cinema, Geethanjali narrated a tale of love against mortality. Mani Ratnam's lyrical narration and Ilaiyaraaja's soulful music formed cinematic magic. The visual poetry and emotional intensity of the film turned it into a cult of romantic hearts.
Ye Maaya Chesave (2010)
Director: Gautham Menon | Cast: Naga Chaitanya, Samantha
A very introspective movie, Ye Maaya Chesave mapped love in all its hesitations and vulnerabilities. With AR Rahman's enchanting music and a light, poetic script, the movie became a landmark in modern romantic cinema. It also marked the real-life start of Naga Chaitanya and Samantha's love affair, lending it an extra charm.
Manmadhudu (2002)
Director: K. Vijaya Bhaskar | Cast: Nagarjuna, Sonali Bendre
Manmadhudu combined sarcasm, sophistication, and sentiment in a single romantic comedy. Nagarjuna's cult role as a commitment-phobic man won over hearts and had the audience laughing. Witty dialogues, banter chemistry, and wonderful soundtrack guaranteed the cult status of the movie.
Arya (2004)
Director: Sukumar | Cast: Allu Arjun, Anu Mehta
Arya is a romance movie with a twist—its lead falls in love unselfishly, never requiring reciprocation of the emotion. Devi Sri Prasad's youthful music and Allu Arjun's breakout performance engaged a generation of young Telugu youth. Quirky dialogue and the sentimental peak of Mooga Manasulu are just as good today.
Mooga Manasulu (1964)
Director: Adurthi Subba Rao | Cast: Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri
Mooga Manasulu was among the first films to delve into the theme of reincarnated love in Telugu cinema. With stellar performances and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, this classic treasure captures the richness and cultural depth of old-school romance.
Premante Idera (1998)
Orange (2010)
Sita Ramam (2022)
Kushi (2023)
100% Love (2011)
These movies also stole hearts with their own spin on love and relationships, showing that romance in Telugu cinema has infinite shades.
Conclusion
Romance may not always have to be over-the-top; sometimes, it is the subtle, understated films that make the greatest impact. These underappreciated Telugu romantic films are the best examples of how love can be depicted in simple, elegant ways. If you have not watched these treasures so far, it's high time to fall in love with them.
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