December 18th, 2020

One of the most important parts of a film is the Production Design. This basically means how the sets will be constructed in accordance to the script. In Tollywood specifically, Art Directors have to work overtime because not only do they have to make realistic sets for scenes, but they also have to create sets for extravagant and visually stunning songs. In this article we will talk about the best Art Directors in Telugu Cinema. 

Madhavapeddi Gokhale: This legend worked on some of our greatest movies such as Paatala Bhairavi, Maya Bazaar, and Missamma. Who can forget SVR's house set in Missamma and of course all the elaborate palaces and grandeur of Maya Bazaar and the Sorcerer's lair in Paatala Bhairavi. He may be gone but his work will live on for ages to come. 
 

Thota Tharani: Another absolute legend, he's worked on countless Telugu movies such as Arjun, Athadu, Life is Beautiful, Mass, Leader, Life is Beautiful, Brahmotsavam, and Khaidi No. 150. The pinnacle of his work in Telugu has to be for Mahesh Babu's Arjun where he recreated the entire Madurai Meenakshi temple from SCRATCH just for the film and the result was just absolutely amazing. Two songs were filmed there and he also designed and built the iconic family house in Athadu which was used again in countless Telugu movies after specifically Chandamma and Sreenu Vaitla's Ready. The phase colonies in Life is Beautiful were also fantastic and a special mention to the movie SIvaji. The Babylonian palace created for Vaaji Vaaji and the greenhouse created for Sahana were visual feasts and delights to witness on screen. His upcoming movie is Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan. 

Sabu Cyril: The master art director shot to fame with Shankar's Robot and is the highest paid Art Director in the country but his work for SS Rajamouli's Baahubali is what has fetched him international glory and accolades, The now iconic Mahismasthi sets and the quarry where Katappa kills Baahubali were designed by him and he also worked for Saaho, Yuva and Ra, One. His next movie is Rajamouli's RRR and the two teasers released so far have proved to be visual masterpieces already especially what looks like a British fort set in Komaram Bheem's teaser. 

AS Prakash: My favorite art director of all time, AS Prakash is from Vizag and completed his fine arts degree before entering the industry. He worked in Ramoji film city under renowned art director Nitish Roy and drew sketches for him and assisted him throughout his tenure. That's when Sukumar saw his sketches and offered him Arya and the rest is history. He's worked for so many classic movies in the past and has basically done all our favorite movies (except Agnythaavasi and Aagadu) which include Bommarillu, Dubai Seenu, Kantri, Ready, Kotha Bangaru Lokam, King, Namo Venkatesa, Simha, Don Seenu, Ragada, 100% Love, Dookudu, Bodyguard, SVSC, Mirchi, Baadshah, Balupu, Masala, Aagadu, Mukunda, Srimanthudu, A Aa, Janatha Garage, Nenu Local, Jai Lava Kusa, Agnythaavasi, Aravinda Sametha, F2, Sarileru Neekevvaru, and Ala Vaikunthapurramlo. His work specifically for movies like SVSC, Sarileru, and AVPL are just outstanding. The movie might fail but Prakash garu's work never does. His upcoming movies are Sarkaru Vaari Paata, Krack, and F3. 

Anand Sai: Remember in Tholi Prema where there was a Taj Mahal in the movie? Yup that was Art Director Anand Sai's idea for the now romantic classic which shot Pawan Kalyan to fame. Once the highest paid art director, Anand Sai has done so many iconic movies and done movies exclusively with Pawan Kalyan and Jr. NTR due their rapport together. His work includes the masterpiece Brindavanam house set from Brindavanam, Badrinath Temple set in Allu Arjun's Badrinath, Thammudu, Simhadri, Vaasu, Sye, Ashish Vidyarthi's house in Gudumba Shankar, Balu, the Warangal Fort recreated in Mahesh Babu's Sainikidu, Munna, the iconic contemporary mansion of Sanjay Sahu in Jalsa, Parugu, Khaleja, Adhurs, Shakthi, Dhammu, and Yevadu. He's since retired and has been working on the Yadadri Temple in Bhuvanagiri. 

Raveender: Remember the Bhairavakona Set and the statue of Lord Shiva overlooking the mountain in Magadheera or Nagineedu's house in Maryada Ramanna that was used in countless Telugu movies after or the house of Upendra in Son of Satyamurthy? That was the incredible work of Raveendar. He's worked for most of Rajamouli's movies and he also did the famous Bhagamathie Bungalow set which was built in just 29 days which is unbeleivable His work includes Vikramarkudu, Chatrapathi, Okkadunnadu, Rakhi, Pourudu, Goldconda High School, Mr Perfect, Oosaravelli, Sri Rama Rajyam, Oh My Friend, Rajanna, Eega, the now iconic house set of Nadiya in Attarintiki Daredi in Ramoji Film City, Oohalu Gusagusalade, Nannaku Prematho, Soggade Chinni Nayana, Gentleman, Duvvada Jagganadham, Mahanubhavudu, and Sammohanam. His upcoming movie is Prabhas's Radhe Shyam. 

Ashok Koralath: He's worked on many famous Telugu movies, most notably the colony set in Okkadu and of course the incredible replica of the Charminar built for the movie. His other work includes Santosham, Takkari Donga, Daddy, Jayam Manadera, Gangotri, Indra, Ashok, Shankar Dada MBBS and Zindabad, Pournami, Varsham, Aata, Style, Anji, Darling, Bunny, Govindudu Andari Vadele. and the amazing sets of Arundhati. 

Chinna: The art director for the all time classic Pokiri, Chinna garu has basically worked for almost all of Puri Jagannadh's movies and is among his most trusted technicians, His work includes Venkatesh's Raja, Anandam, Pellam Oorelithe, Shivamani, Andhrawala, Amma Nanna O Tamil Ammayi, Super, Lakshmi, Happy, Yogi, Desamuduru, Chirutha, Bujjigadu, Chintakayala Ravi, Neninthe, Anjaneyulu, Arya 2, Nagavalli, Kandireega, the absurb yet hysterical Devudu Chesina Manushulu, Adhinayakudu, Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu, and Ninnu Kori. 

Rajeevan: Fresh off the appreciation of the incredible sets of Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy, Rajeevan sir got his big break when he worked on Kaakha Kaakha, the Tamil blockbuster which made Suriya a star in Kollywood. Not many know that the wooden house on the lake where Cheliya Cheliya takes place was actually built in Sri Lanka but is made to look like the wilderness. His work is extensively with Gautham Menon also having done Raghavan, Ye Maya Chesave, Surya S/O Krishnan, Yeto Vellipoyindi Manasu, Yenthavaadu Gaanie, Saahasam Swaasaga Saagipo, and the upcoming Vikram movie. His other work includes 1 Nenokkadine, Awaara, 7th Sense, Jilla, Anjaan, Masss, Oy, Deva, Nuvvu Nenu Prema, Gharshana, and Nani's Gang Leader.

Kiran Kumar Manne: Kiran Kumar has worked for many Tollywood movies such as Srirama Rajyam, Current Theega, Pataas, Radha, Tholiprema 2018 with Varun Tej, MLA with Kalyan Ram, 118 and most recently Aswathama. 

Sahi Suresh: Sahi Suresh has worked for many notable Tollywood movies such as Sarocharu, Venkatadri Express, Karthikeya, Malli Malli Idi Rani Roju, Premam, Rarandoi Vedula Choodam, Jaya Janaki Nayaka, Devadas 2018, Awe!, Krishnarjuna Yuddham and Hello Guru Prema Kosame. His biggest movies to date are Allu Arjun's Sarrainodu and his exceptional work of recreating the World War 2 era in Kanche. 

Raghu Kulkarni: The art director for masterpiece and the most accurate Telugu movie of all time Sudigaadu, he's also done Solo, Dhenikaina Ready, Doosukeltha, Rowdy Fellow, Keshava, and most recently RX100. 

Ramakrishna-Monika: This husband and wife duo were responsible for the flawless sets of Sukumar's industry hit Rangasthalam where they literally recreated an entire village and all the props and posters to transport us to back to 1985. Their other work includes Jyo Achyuthananda, Savyasachi, Yatra, and Anthariksham 9000. Their upcoming movie is All Arjun's Pushpa reteaming them with Sukumar.