Veteran actor Murali Sharma said Telugu cinema has entered a new phase, with even its biggest stars taking up stories built around socially relevant themes. He said this change in scripting has altered not only the kind of films being made, but also the way audiences respond to them.
Speaking to India Today about his Netflix series Super Subbu, Murali reflected on the show’s subject, his role in it, and the changes he has seen in Telugu storytelling over the years. He said when major stars choose such subjects, their films can have a wide impact, and pointed in particular to Nandamuri Balakrishna.
On Super Subbu
Murali said he was happy to be part of Super Subbu because of the story and the character, rather than the platform or the attention around the show. “I wasn’t surprised, but I was very happy for the show because it’s such a beautiful story the way it’s written. And the fact that I get to play Kukateshwar Rao, the father – it’s such a beautiful character. I really enjoyed doing it,” he said.
While the series touches on sex education, Murali said it does not take a preachy approach and instead treats the subject with humour. “We didn’t really think about that because we were having so much fun. As I said, it’s just a little touch-and-go. We’re not discussing sex education at length in any episode. It’s more entertainment. It’s humorous. Once you watch the episodes, you’ll agree with me,” he said.
How Telugu scripts have changed?
Looking at the wider industry, Murali said Telugu cinema has moved away from a time when films were more heavily driven by masala elements. He said there is now greater variety in scripts and that bigger stars are also willing to back subjects with stronger themes. “I think the scripts have changed. Earlier, films were a little more masala. Now there are different kinds of scripts. That change has definitely come. As you mentioned, Bhagavanth Kesari also dealt with important topics. Even the biggest heroes are experimenting with different scripts,” he said.
Murali said such choices matter when they are made by major stars because of the scale at which those films reach viewers. “When someone like Balayya garu (Nandamuri Balakrishna) does a film with a socially relevant subject, it has a massive impact. You can’t imagine the kind of influence it has. It reaches the masses, and even men start thinking differently. A lot has changed in the last few years in the way cinema has evolved,” he said.
On Hindi-Telugu collaborations
He also rejected the idea that collaborations between Hindi and Telugu cinema are new, saying such exchanges have existed for decades. “I think it’s always been there. Amrish Puri sir did Telugu films almost 30 years ago. Sharath Saxena has done so many Telugu films with Chiranjeevi. So this isn’t something new. Now it’s probably multiplied,” he said.
Super Subbu has released on Netflix and stars Sundeep Kishan and Mithila Palkar in the lead roles. Through his comments on the series and the industry, Murali said Telugu cinema’s changing scripts and its biggest stars’ willingness to experiment are shaping the way audiences engage with socially relevant stories.