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.^[1] 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.^[4] 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.^[1]

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.^[5][6] According to a Deccan Herald report, the land was secured at a nominal price of ₹7,500–8,000 per acre, totaling approximately ₹1.5–1.8 lakh for the entire plot.^[6]

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.^[1]

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.^[1]

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.^[2]

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.^[2] In 2012, Akkineni Nagarjuna unveiled five advanced, integrated production floors within the facility. These floors are touted as modern climate-controlled movie production facilities.^[7] 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.^[7]

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).^[7]

Visual effects