It takes two to Tango

Actors Anushka and Prabhas
Actors Anushka and Prabhas

Commercial Telugu cinema may be all about high-octane fight scenes, foot-tapping dance numbers and powerful punch dialogues but it’s the romantic sequences that stay with the audience – long after the film releases. When you’re sitting at home watching movies on television, romantic films are the most popular bet, regardless of age-group. Hyderabad Express gives you a lowdown on some of the most popular on-screen pairings in contemporary Telugu cinema

Venkatesh and Nayanthara

Another classic pair, the effortless ease with which the two of them work together is wonderful to watch. It’s no wonder that the two of them have worked with each other four films so far – Lakshmi (2006), Tulasi (2007), Krishnam Vande Jagathguram (2012) and the recently released Babu Bangaram. While some of these films worked and some didn’t, Venkatesh and Nayanthara registered themselves as a successful pairing in the film industry, with some of the top producers looking to cast them together.

Sai Dharam Tej and Regina Cassandra

Among modern day youngsters, this is one on-screen couple which has made people sit up and notice. Sai Dharam and Regina have been perfectly in sync, not just in the two films that they worked together in (Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitham and Subramanyam for Sale), but also during film promotions and interviews. Such was their on-screen chemistry that it immediately fuelled speculation that the two of them were seeing each other off-screen as well. While it remains to be seen if that’s true or not, it may not be long before we see this couple back on-screen again.

Naga Chaitanya and Samantha

This had to be on top of the list as far as romantic pairings are concerned, both on and off-screen (Well, if rumours are anything to go by). It all started six years ago when the duo came together in Gautham Menon’s Ye Maaya Chesaave. It was Samantha’s debut film as an actress and Chaitanya’s second film (after Josh). An out-and-out romantic film, Ye Maaya Chesaave turned out to be one of the evergreen classics of the millennial age in Tollywood. The chemistry between Chaitanya and Samantha was palpable and many believe it was the start of their real-life love story. The duo came together once again in Autonagar Surya (2014), but while the film didn’t have the same impact as their first film together, it went a long way in ensuring that the two are the most bankable on-screen couples in the industry.

Nagarjuna and Ramya Krishnan

One of Telugu cinema’s most successful pairings, Nagarjuna and Ramya Krishnan have acted together in a whopping nine films, spanning 26 years. One of the hallmark of their on-screen romance is that most of the films that they had done together, such as Hello Brother (1994), Criminal (1995) and Gharana Bullodu (1995) – turned out to be blockbusters. But what separates this pairing from the rest, is the fact they have been able to replicate their on-screen romance two decades later with this year’s Sankranthi release Soggade Chinni Nayana. The film turned out to be one of this year’s biggest blockbusters, mainly thanks to this evergreen pairing and the chemistry between these two fine actors.

Anushka and Prabhas

Tollywood’s reigning queen Anushka Shetty set pulses racing with her bikini act in Billa (2009) opposite Prabhas. The film turned out to be a huge hit and was the start of a new on-screen couple in Tollywood. Prabhas and Anushka later worked together in Koratala Siva’s debut film Mirchi, which also turned out to be a superhit. Yet again, the duo received accolades for their on-screen chemistry, prompting one of south India’s top directors SS Rajamouli to cast them together in his magnum opus Baahubali. While the first part dint feature the two of them together in many scenes, fans await with bated breath for these two star actors to rekindle their on-screen romance in Baahubali: The Conclusion.

NTR Jr and Kajal Aggarwal

In his own words, NTR Jr knows how to dance fight and even sing but romance has never been a strong suit for him. Now married and blessed with a son, on-screen romance is hardly a priority for NTR Jr. But for his fans, NTR’s most popular pairing is with Kajal Aggarwal. Their first film together was Brindavanam in 2010, which turned out to be a huge-money spinner. The duo then replicated their success with 2013 entertainer Baadshah and then made it a hattrick of hits with Temper (2015). The chemistry between these two actors was palpable and Kajal even appeared in a special song – Pakka Local – in the actor’s recent hit Janatha Garage. For fans, it was a treat to see NTR shaking a leg with Kajal and the song turned out to be one of the highlights of the film.

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