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Sarathi Studios

Sri Sarathi Studios is a film studio facility located in Ameerpet, Hyderabad, India. Established in 1956, it was the first film studio facility in Hyderabad and was built by Yarlagadda Sivarama Prasad, the Raja of Challapalli.[2] The first film shot in the studio was Maa Inti Mahalakshmi (1959), which also holds the distinction of being the first Telugu film entirely shot in Hyderabad.[3]

Sri Sarathi Studios
Company typePrivate
IndustryEntertainment
Founded1956[1]
FounderYarlagadda Sivarama Prasad
Headquarters
Ameerpet, Hyderabad
,
India
Key people
MSRV Prasad (chairman)
Murali Krishna Raju (COO)[1]
OwnerSri Sarathi Studios Pvt Ltd

In addition to its studio facilities, Sarathi also operated a film production division named Sarathi Films, founded in 1937. The division produced several notable films, including Mala Pilla (1938), Raithu Bidda (1939), Mayalokam (1945), Rojulu Marayi (1955), Kalasi Vunte Kaladu Sukham (1961), Aatmiyulu (1969), Annadammula Savaal (1978), Radha Kalyanam (1981), Moodu Mullu (1983).

Sarathi Studios

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Founding

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Before Sarathi studios, Telugu cinema was based out of Madras (now Chennai) and most Telugu films were made in Madras. Hyderabad was known for Hindi film releases. Rojulu Marayi (1955) was released in Hyderabad and it ran for 100 days.[2] At an event celebrating the film's success, the then Revenue Minister of Andhra Pradesh K. V. Ranga Reddy asked Telugu filmmakers to shift to Hyderabad from Madras.[2][4]

In March 1956, Raja of Challapalli, Yarlagadda Sivarama Prasad, the producer of Rojulu Marayi heeded to Ranga Reddy's call and acquired 11.5 acres of land with a building in Hyderabad.[4][5] The building was originally built in 1936 for Kishen Pershad, then prime minister of Hyderabad State. It was designed by architect Mohammad Fayazuddin. Fayazuddin later went on to design the State Bank of Hyderabad, Ravindra Bharathi and several other iconic public buildings.[2][6]

Sivarama Prasad had also provided other facilities required for film shoots and established Sri Sarathi Studios as the first film studio complex in Hyderabad.[7] The art deco building designed by Fayazuddin in 1936 is now at the heart of the studio complex. Sivarama Prasad's brother Yarlagadda Rama Krishna Prasad acted as the managing director and chairman of the Studio. He took the technical inputs of famous cinematographer and technician CVVR Prasad in constructing Saradhi Studios.[5] In 1959, the first film made at the studio Maa Inti Mahalakshmi released in theatres.[2][8] It was also the first Telugu film to be completely filmed in Hyderabad.[8][3]

Change in management

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In 1966, the management of the studio was passed over to Katragadda Srinivasa Rao, the head of Navayuga Films.[9] He managed the studio for over 40 years.[10]

The studio is now being managed by MSRV Prasad who took it over in 2006.[10][2] At the time of its purchase in 1956, the area was 11.5 acres; it has shrunk to about six acres by 2018.[1] It serves as a location for television shows, serials, post-production work, dubbing and other aspects of filmmaking. The studio was modernised with a new animation studio, digital intermediate lab, editing suits, and digital marketing division. The renovated Sarathi Studios was inaugurated in March 2016 with attendance from veteran filmmakers Dasari Narayana Rao, K. Viswanath, and K. Raghavendra Rao.[10]

It was reported in October 2016 that a part of the Sarathi Studios will give way to a commercial mall, multiplex and hotel spread over 97,442 square metres built up area. Murali Krishna Raju, the COO of the studio said that while the original building with floors for indoor shooting will be intact, the outdoor area will be converted into a thematic mall.[1]

Films shot at Sarathi Studios

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Sarathi Films

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Sarathi Films
Company typePrivate
IndustryEntertainment
Founded1937
FounderYarlagadda Sivarama Prasad
Yarlagadda Rama Krishna Prasad
Gudavalli Ramabrahmam
Headquarters
India
ProductsFilms
ServicesFilm production

Sarathi Films was a film production company set up by Raja of Challapalli, Yarlagadda Sivarama Prasad in partnership with his brother Yarlagadda Rama Krishna Prasad and Gudavalli Ramabrahmam in 1937.[4][5] Rama Krishna Prasad acted as the managing director for Sarathi Films.[5] It produced many notable films like Mala Pilla (1938), Raithu Bidda (1939), Mayalokam (1945), Rojulu Marayi (1955), Kalasi Vunte Kaladu Sukham (1961), Aatmiyulu (1969), Annadammula Savaal (1978), Radha Kalyanam (1981), Moodu Mullu (1983).[2][6][4][11][5]

Sarathi Films produced the debut directorial ventures of noted directors L. V. Prasad and Tapi Chanakya. Waheeda Rehman and singer Master Venu were introduced to Telugu cinema by Sarathi Films.[5] Rama Krishna Prasad produced many films on Navayuga banner in association with Katragadda Srinivasa Rao.[5]

Films produced by Sarathi Films

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Reddy, U. Sudhakar (13 October 2016). "Hyderabad: Part of Sarathi studios to make way for new mall". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Nanisetti, Serish (2 April 2018). "A house for Maharaja Kishen Pershad in Hyderabad". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Telugu cinema Biography: 1950 - 1960". TotalTollywood. Archived from the original on 22 November 2009. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Saradhi Studios AV | Saradhi Studios Relaunch | TFPC, 12 March 2016, retrieved 11 September 2022
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Telugu Cinema Celebrity Bio Data - Yarlagadda Rama Krishna Prasad". Idlebrain.com. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d Narasimham, M. L. (2 April 2019). "Rhythm of rural mileu: Kalasi Vunte Kaladu Sukham". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  7. ^ Yojana - Volume 39. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. 1995. p. 123.
  8. ^ a b Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (25 April 2017). "History of cinema through 24 frames". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020.
  9. ^ అమీర్ పేటలోని సారథి స్టూడియో మాదే..! GV Narayana About Saradhi Studios History & His Movies Entry, 13 May 2019, retrieved 11 September 2022
  10. ^ a b c "Saradhi Studios gets a new look". The Hans India. 12 March 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  11. ^ a b Damodaran, Harish (25 November 2018). India's New Capitalists: Caste, Business, and Industry in a Modern Nation. Hachette India. p. 111. ISBN 978-93-5195-280-0.
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