Editorial: 2025 Rewind: Telugu debut directors who created a good impact

2025 wasn’t entirely satisfactory for Tollywood, with biggies failing to live up to expectations, but certain small-budget films impressed audiences. The best thing about these films is that multiple new directors were introduced to Telugu cinema, giving a ray of hope. Let’s take a look at some of the debut directors who made their mark.
Sai Marthand (Little Hearts):
Little Hearts, featuring Mouli Tanuj Prashanth and Shivani Nagaram in the lead roles, is the biggest surprise hit of the year. At a time when Tollywood was going through a dearth of light-hearted entertainers, Sai Marthand came up with a breezy film that entertained not just the youth but audiences of all age groups. The film was made on a shoestring budget of Rs. 2 crores and went on to collect about Rs. 40 crores gross in its lifetime. The movie had a dream run at the ticket windows, and the director has reportedly been flooded with multiple offers ever since the film hit theatres. There is a sequel to Little Hearts, and it will reportedly feature Sai Marthand himself in the lead role.
Ram Jagadeesh (Court):
Court is easily one of the best films to have come out of Tollywood in recent times. The movie, backed by Nani, received critical acclaim as well as box office success. It is also among the very few films in 2025 that fetched profits for all the stakeholders involved. Court grossed about Rs. 60 crores in its lifetime. Ram Jagadeesh made a stunning directorial debut with this flick and instantly grabbed eyeballs for the way he handled a sensitive topic like the POCSO Act. Harsh Roshan, Sridevi, and Priyadarshi played the key roles. Ram Jagadeesh may soon direct another film under Nani’s banner.
Saailu Kampati (Raju Weds Rambai):
The intense romantic saga Raju Weds Rambai, set against the Telangana backdrop, shocked one and all with its hard-hitting climax and rooted storytelling. Akhil, Tejaswi Rao, and Chaitanya Jonnalagadda played key roles in this flick inspired by true events. The movie introduced Saailu Kampati to the Tollywood industry, and his neat direction took many by surprise. More than the film, Saailu Kampati’s unfiltered and genuine speeches during promotional events impressed movie buffs, who are now looking forward to his next.
Muralikanth Devasoth (Dhandoraa):
Many Telugu films have explored caste discrimination in the past, but with Dhandoraa, newcomer Muralikanth Devasoth brought a fresh dimension by showcasing that an upper-caste man can also suffer due to societal norms. The sensible direction helped the movie position itself differently in this space. Though Dhandoraa didn’t do well commercially, Muralikanth proved that he is a talent to watch out for with his narrative skills. We need to see if the OTT release can give a new lease of life to the rural entertainer.
Rahul Srinivas (The Great Pre-Wedding Show):
The Great Pre-Wedding Show, starring Thiruveer and Teena Sravya in the lead roles, received appreciation for its relatable characters, organic humor, and simple, charming small-town setup. Rahul Srinivas handled the subject quite beautifully without resorting to unnecessary comedy tracks or meme references. Along with its breeziness, The Great Pre-Wedding Show springs a surprise with heartfelt emotions. After its OTT launch, the film gained good traction, with praises pouring in for the director.
Ugandhar Muni (Shambhala):
The year ended on a very good note for Tollywood, as Aadi Saikumar’s mystical thriller Shambhala is turning out to be a superhit venture. The movie blends divine and horror elements decently and has struck a chord with audiences. The core point chosen by Ugandhar Muni is quite interesting and had not been explored before. After a string of failures, Aadi Saikumar made a solid comeback with this flick, and Ugandhar Muni caught the attention of cinephiles.The post Editorial: 2025 Rewind: Telugu debut directors who created a good impact first appeared on Latest Telugu cinema news | Movie reviews | OTT Updates, OTT.