Top Telugu actors, 2008

Top Telugu actors, 2008
Telugu star Chiranjeevi began his political party this year, and kept away from films. Venkatesh had only one release -- the very average Chintakayala Ravi -- while Nagarjuna's King is expected to hit theatres on December 24. Mahesh Babu did not have any releases, Prabhas had one -- Bujjigadu: Made in Chennai -- and NTR Jr had Kantri. So the shining Telugu actors this year, were mostly the younger lot of stars. We take a look:



Jagapathi Babu
Films: Kathanayakudu, Swagatham, Homam
Jagapathi Babu has had a bright year with three 2008 releases: Swagatham, Homam and Kathanayakudu. The latter, where he co-starred with Tamil superstar Rajnikant, was highly appreciated.
He played a doting husband and loving father in the family saga Swagatham.



His barber character perhaps even overshadowed Rajni's. The last few minutes were brilliant. As the cop in Homam, Jagapathi proved his credentials again. He will be seen in its sequel, Moksham too.

Gopichand
Film: Ontari, Souryam Gopichand is inching his way up in the industry, and has become a bankable actor. This year, he had two releases -- Ontari and Souryam.
Souryam, helmed by cinematographer-turned director Siva, was a hit. He acted effortlessly in this commercial entertainer, fighting and dancing with panache.
Ontari did not do as well as Souryam but Gopichand put in a respectable performance. Gopichand is slated to do Siva's second film shortly.

Uday Kiran
Film: Viyyalavari Kayyalu, Gunde Jhallumandi Uday Kiran made a comeback with Viyyalavari Kayyalu last year, and consolidated his position with Madan's Gunde Jhallumandi -- a love story set against a college backdrop. The film fared decently at the box office. The film had all the elements of a commercial hit, thanks to a good script by writer-director Madan.
Uday Kiran carried the film on his shoulders, and played the lover boy convincingly. However, his second release Ekaloveyudu fared badly.

Allari Naresh
Film: Gamyam Naresh has had many 2008 releases like Gamyam, Visakha Express, Blade Babji and Dongala Bandi. But he will be best remembered as Gamyam's Gaali Seenu, the motorcycle thief who mends his ways.
Naresh was also impressive as the scheming man in Visakha Express, who sends shivers down the spine. He was entertaining in Blade Babji and Dongala Bandi as well. The lanky son of director EVV Satyanarana is slowly carving a niche for himself in the industry.

Ram
Film: Ready Ram is one of the upcoming heroes of the industry. His only release of the year, Ready, was a superhit. He shared good chemistry with Genelia, and both ably carried Ready and Brahmanandam on their shoulders.
Ram is lucky to have his uncle 'Sravanthi' Ravi Kishore to guide him in the industry. Ram's next project Maska, being produced by M S Raju with Hansika and Sheela, is currently being filmed.