User:Kedarshankar/sandbox

KEDAR SHANKAR

The twenty first century saw a flood of non Telugu actors in Telugu films. Most of them are character actors. It was not a surprise when the imports are actresses especially heroines. Just for the glamour quotient or for the mythical crazy combination or of course the word professional, they are professional compared to Telugu girls (the discussion is for another day), is thrown at.

The 1990s was the last decade when Telugu character artists dominated the Telugu film landscape. Kota Srinivasa Rao is last of such species. Now a days the only assured Telugu quotient in Telugu films is comedy actors.

Why speak of this thing as if it's a very new phenomenon? Isn't it happening for a long time? Most of the Villains are imported. Character artists like Sayaji Shinde, Mukhesh Rishi, Pradeep Rawat and the like. They came into light as Villains. Unknown quantities. To give a couple of shivers down the spines. But there's a catch. After a couple of powerful roles, they are relegated to one of the numerous Villains or a run of the mill father.

Late in the first decade, hope glimmered in the form of Rao Ramesh, son of legendary Rao Gopala Rao. The ease with which he portrays typical characters, his dialogue delivery made a mark. And he was embraced with both hands by many filmmakers.