Best Debut Telugu Film Actor and Director Movies The Telugu film industry has its own share of legendary stars and directors, some of whom...

Best Debut Telugu Film Actor and Director Movies

The Telugu film industry has its own share of legendary stars and directors, some of whom begin their careers with movies that become classics themselves. In this article, we will take into consideration a closer look at the best debut performances by top heroes and directors in Telugu cinema, a look at how those films launched some of the most breathtaking careers.

1. Allu Arjun – Gangotri (2003)

Allu Arjun, notorious for his flawless dancing abilities and strong performances, debuted acting in Gangotri in 2003. Directed by K. Raghavendra Rao, the movie unveiled his strong screen presence and introduced him as a familiar face as a promising young actor in Telugu cinema. Allu Arjun's performance in the movie resulted in a highly successful career, with Arya, Desamuduru, and Race Gurram soon to follow.

2. Jr. NTR – Ninnu Choodalani (2001)

Grandson of the great Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, Jr. NTR began his career with Ninnu Choodalani in 2001, directed by V.R. Prathap. The film flopped at the box office, but Jr. NTR's performance and larger-than-life image on screen were admired from the start. With films like Student No. 1 and Aadi, his career soared high as one of the top stars of Telugu cinema.

3. Mahesh Babu – Raja Kumarudu (1999)

Mahesh Babu entered Telugu films as a lead in Raja Kumarudu, the romantic comedy made by K. Raghavendra Rao. His boy-next-door persona, charm, and understated acting earned him great popularity. Mahesh Babu emerged as one of the biggest stars and the most popular among Telugu film actors, and his box hits are Okkadu, Pokiri, and Srimanthudu.

4. Pawan Kalyan – Thiagaraju (1998)

Pawan Kalyan's first movie, Thiagaraju, was directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. Although the movie did not become a super success, Pawan Kalyan's appearance, the way he used to deliver dialogues, and his rugged presence on screen made him a different one. Pawan Kalyan's other movies, particularly Tholi Prema and Gabbar Singh, made him one of the biggest Telugu superstars.

5. Nani – Ashta Chamma (2008)

Actor Nani began his career with critically acclaimed movie Ashta Chamma in 2008. As directed by Mohan Krishna Indraganti, the movie was a new representation of love and relationships and received appreciation for real-life narration. Nani's own sense of humor and amazing acting abilities saw him settle well into the film industry, earning blockbuster hits Jersey and Bhale Bhale Magadivoy.

6. Samantha Ruth Prabhu – Ye Maaya Chesave (2010)

Samantha's career in films started with the romance drama Ye Maaya Chesave, which was directed by Gautham Menon. Her performance as a young woman embroiled in a complex love affair won her international recognition. Her success with the film catapulted her career, and Samantha became one of the most popular actresses in both Telugu and Tamil cinema, with Rangasthalam and Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu soon to come.

7. Ram Charan – Chirutha (2007)

Ram Charan, the son of Megastar Chiranjeevi, debuted with the action movie Chirutha, which was directed by Puri Jagannadh. His raw energy, presence on screen, and action-oriented performance impressed both the audience and the critics. Ram Charan soon became a renowned star in Telugu cinema, with cult movies such as Magadheera and Rangasthalam further solidifying his position in the industry.

8. Trivikram Srinivas – Nuvve Nuvve (2002)

Debut director Trivikram Srinivas launched the romantic drama Nuvve Nuvve with Tarun and Shriya Saran. The screenplay and dialogues of the film were outstanding for their emotional quotient as well as wit. Trivikram established himself as one of the most successful directors of Telugu, famous for his own brand of storytelling as well as pick-upable dialogues in movies like Attarintiki Daredi and A. Aa.

9. S. S. Rajamouli – Student No. 1 (2001)

While S. S. Rajamouli is known for directing epic blockbusters like Baahubali and RRR, his directorial debut was the film Student No. 1 starring Jr. NTR. The film was a success and established Rajamouli as a talented director with a flair for storytelling. Rajamouli’s career skyrocketed after that, and he became one of the biggest filmmakers in India.

10. K. Viswanath – Aatma Gauravam (1982)

K. Viswanath, whose movies never wandered away from the realms of human emotions and traditional virtues, started his directorial career with the movie Aatma Gauravam. The movie was widely acclaimed by critics for its sensitive handling of subject material, and K. Viswanath became a familiar name in Telugu cinema, followed by classics like Sankarabharanam and Swathi Muthyam.

11. Vijay Deverakonda – Nuvvila (2011)

Vijay Deverakonda, as an actor with varied talent and untapped potential, made his debut with the romance drama Nuvvila. Although the film flopped at the box office, it set the tone for Vijay's personal taste and style. His actual breakthrough was with Pelli Choopulu (2016), which rekindled the rom-com genre in Telugu cinema. Vijay Deverakonda then became one of the most reliable stars of the film industry with Arjun Reddy and Taxiwaala.

12. Rakul Preet Singh – Kerata (2014)

Rakul Preet Singh made her entry into the Telugu film world with Kerata in 2014. Kerata was a romance drama and did not gain much popularity initially, but Rakul's performances in subsequent superhits such as Venkatadri Express and Loukyam made her a popular actress. She was a star heroine in Telugu cinema and also in Hindi cinema, playing lead roles in blockbuster films such as Spyder, Dhruva, and De De Pyaar De.

13. Nithiin – Jayam (2002)

The break came with his debut in Teja's Jayam (2002). The romantic drama turned out to be a hit and made Nithiin a new star hero. His career had had its ups and downs, but Nithiin came back with Shresth, A.Aa, and Rang De. His flexibility to try a mix of genres and roles made him a very versatile actor in Telugu films.

14. Sai Pallavi – Fidaa (2017)

Sai Pallavi, already a name to be reckoned with in Malayalam cinema, entered the Telugu cinema with Fidaa, directed by Sekhar Kammula. Sai Pallavi's naturalness, her infectious on-screen presence, and chemistry with Varun Tej made the film an overnight success. She has since emerged as one of the most popular actresses in Telugu cinema, and one of her best performances has been in films such as Middle Class Abbayi and Love Story.

15. Sree Vishnu – Needi Naadi Oke Katha (2018)

Sree Vishnu's first film, Needi Naadi Oke Katha (2018), was a milestone in his career. Directed by Venu Udugula and it being a social cause-film showing the stress of student life in the current era of India, the film was well appreciated by all. Sree Vishnu's natural and simple act earned him a broad acceptance. Brochevarevarura and Ardhangi made people cry, and Sree Vishnu proved himself to be a good actor who could talk on his own.

16. Sukumar – Arya (2004)

Director Sukumar's directorial venture with the film Arya (2004) featuring Allu Arjun was a box-office success upon release. With his own script, presence, and emotional investment, Sukumar's direction brought a new wave of storytelling to Telugu cinema. Sukumar went on to experiment with films such as Jagadam and 1: Nenokkadine to prove himself as a director who could mix action, drama, and suspense together. His latest release, The Kerala Story, made him one of the industry's leading directors.

17. Director Vamsi Paidipally – Munna (2007)

Vamsi Paidipally made his directorial debut with Munna (2007) featuring Prabhas and Ileana. Although the box office reception of the film was ordinary, it provided an insight into the directorial prowess of Vamsi Paidipally. His subsequent films such as Brindavanam, Yevadu, and the blockbuster Oopiri cemented his master story-telling capabilities. Vamsi's talent to blend family emotions with commercialism enabled him to create a niche for himself in Telugu cinema.

18. Anushka Shetty – Super (2005)

The award-winning and best Telugu actress, Anushka Shetty, entered with Puri Jagannadh's Super (2005). She was not originally cast as the heroine but was found due to screen presence and charm. She became a star when she did work in Arundhati and Baahubali, where she showcased her multi-faceted talent as an actor. Anushka's contribution to the world of cinema has made her one of the highest-grossing female actresses of her era.

19. Director K. Raghavendra Rao – Raghavendra (1999)

K. Raghavendra Rao is the most influential Telugu cinema director of all time. His directorial debut, Raghavendra (1999), was the start of a winning streak of movies. The versatile director is renowned for his off-beat visual treatment and mass entertainers' treatment. He directed Criminal, Baahubali, and Sye, which revolutionized the look of Telugu cinema. His debut film was the beginning of his successful directorial career.

20. Vijay – Naalaiya Theerpu (1992)

Tamil actor Vijay made his entry into Telugu films with Naalaiya Theerpu in 1992. Directed by Selva, the film didn't make much of a buzz in the early stages but paved the way for Vijay to emerge as a Telugu and Tamil film hero. Vijay became one of the top heroes of the film industry, and films like Thuppakki and Mersal, which were renowned for their action performance and mass appealability, became blockbusters.

21. Keerthy Suresh – Ram Leela (2014)

Keerthy Suresh debuted in Telugu cinema with Ram Leela (2014), but it was her performance in Mahanati (2018) that actually established her in the industry. Her spontaneous performance in the latter earned her a National Award, and she became one of the best actresses of the past couple of years. Although her first film received no attention, Keerthy's performance ever since has made her one of the most popular actresses in Telugu and Tamil cinema.

22. Sudheer Babu – Ye Maaya Chesave (2010)

Sudheer Babu's entry in the movie Ye Maaya Chesave (2010), which was directed by Gautham Menon, marked a turning point in his life. The movie starred Naga Chaitanya and Samantha, and Sudheer Babu played the role of a supporting actor in the movie. His performance was appreciated, and his portrayal of a sophisticated lover in the movie brought him fame. Sudheer then starred in blockbuster movies like Shanam and Baaghi 2 as the lead actor and became a well-known actor.

23. Sidharth Malhotra – Student of the Year (2012)

Sidharth Malhotra entered the Telugu film industry with the movie Student of the Year (2012), a high school drama movie directed by Karan Johar. Although the movie was in Hindi, his appearance in it, along with Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan, gave him a prominent position in the industry. His introduction to the Telugu film industry started with movies such as Ek Villain and Jabariya Jodi, before becoming one of the best actors in Bollywood.

24. Anjali – Photo (2006)

Anjali established herself as a force in the Telugu film industry by starring in the family drama Photo (2006), where she portrayed a tender but strong personality. The part won over audience and critics in equal measure and earned her work on more Tamil and Telugu films. Anjali has since appeared in blockbuster movies like Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu, Geethanjali, and Oohalu Gusagusalade.

25. Naga Chaitanya – Josh (2009)

Naga Chaitanya entered the industry with the movie Josh (2009), which was directed by Vasu Varma. Though he had an inauspicious entry into the industry, Naga Chaitanya became one of the industry's bankable heroes with movies like Ye Maaya Chesave, Tamasha, and Majnu. His journey as an actor has been a mix of critical and box office success, and he is still one of the leading stars of his generation.

26. Trivikram Srinivas (Director) – Tholi Prema (2001)

Director Trivikram Srinivas made his debut with the romantic drama Tholi Prema (2001), featuring Pawan Kalyan. The film became a blockbuster hit and showcased his ability as a director who could blend romance in a smooth manner with deep emotional writing. Renowned for his dialogue barbs and quick-storytelling, Trivikram Srinivas went on to direct blockbuster films like A.Aa, Attarintiki Daredi, and Jalsa, establishing himself as one of the top directors of Telugu cinema.

27. S. S. Rajamouli – Student No. 1 (2001)

S. S. Rajamouli's initial foray with Student No. 1 (2001) was a humble college drama featuring NTR Jr., but it was a turning point in his career. Student No. 1 set the stage for his rise to become one of the most powerful filmmakers not just in Telugu cinema but in the entire Indian film industry. His visionary direction in films such as Baahubali and RRR have changed the face of cinema.

28. Ram Pothineni – Devdas (2006)

Ram Pothineni debuted in Telugu cinema with Devdas (2006), which was directed by YVS Chowdary. The film's performance was not good, yet Ram's on-screen presence and vigor helped him leave a mark early on. Ram has built a steady career with films like Ready, Vunnadhi Okate Zindagi, and iSmart Shankar over time, expanding his fan base even more.

29. Director K. V. Vijayendra Prasad – Kshana Kshanam (1991)

Prior to becoming a household name in Indian cinema with Baahubali and RRR, K. V. Vijayendra Prasad began his career as a director with the film Kshana Kshanam (1991) featuring Venkatesh and Sridevi. Although it was not a massive box office hit, the film was appreciated for the plot, and Vijayendra Prasad's efforts would later materialize in the form of being one of the most renowned screenwriters and directors of Indian cinema.

Conclusion

The debuts of these directors and actors are testament to the fact that the Telugu film industry is brimming with potential, eager to leave its mark on Indian cinema. From rags to riches, these debuts are tales of grit, ingenuity, and a desire to share great stories. As the industry keeps on flourishing, we can only imagine more legendary debuts that will chart the future of Telugu cinema.

These debuts of these actors and directors are still a part of the illustrious Telugu cinema history. The films are not only remembered for their box office hits but also for the creative path, performances, and narration which influenced the audience. With these extraordinary talents still active in the industry, all we can do is wish for even more extraordinary pieces shattering the benchmark of Indian cinema.

Best Debut Films of Actors and Directors in Telugu Cinema