Idlebrain.com is proudly announcing a series of articles on the evolution of Telugu movie theatres from 1921 to the current date. Mr. Vijaya Bhaskar, an ardent fan of Telugu movies, provides the content in these articles. We have chosen this time period, as we believe this is a highly significant period in the history of Telugu cinema. It was the period that saw the rising of the first generation stars like NTR, ANR etc. Each article will cover a theatre and the successful movies run information and box office fate at those theatres.

Reminiscence of Durgakalamandir @ Vijayawada

Durgakalamandir is one of the oldest and prestigious theatres in Vijayawada.

ANR's first picture as a hero "Seetharama jananam" was released in this theater in 1944. Durgakalamandir is a lucky Mascot for NTR, where he has several tremendous records in this theater. NTR's association with this theater will never be surpassed by another hero-theater combination.

• NTR's first ever film Mana Desham was released in Vijayawada Durgakalamandir on Nov 24, 1949.
  
  
• Dr NTR's last film Srinatha Kavi Sarvabhoumudu was released in Vijayawada Durgakalamandir on Oct 10, 1993.
  
  
• A total of 62 films (as a hero) excluding Mana Desam in which NTR played a guest role were released which is a record for any hero in a single theater especially in a big center like Vijayawada.
  
  
• NTR's 58 films achieved minimum respectable run (i.e. if a film released on 1st of a month, it should at least run even on the 1st of the next month), which is a record for any hero in a single theater throughout A.P.
  
  
• NTR's 55 films ran for 50 days or more, which is a record for any hero in a single theater throughout A.P.
  
  
• Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam first released on January 13, 1966 and ran for 113 days. It was re-released on November 1st, 1968 and ran for 50 days. It is a record for not only Vijayawada but for any other center.
  
  
• NTR has Eight 175 days films in Vijayawada Durgakalamandir, which is a record for any hero in a single theater throughout A.P.
  
  
• NTR has 27 100 days films in Vijayawada Durgakalamandir, which is a record for any hero in a single theater throughout A.P.
  
  
• For 23 years, every year NTR had at least one 100 days film in Vijayawada Durgakalamandir, which is a record for any hero in a single theater throughout A.P.
  
  
• NTR had 13 nonsocial 100 days films (2 historical films, 4 janapada films, 7 pouranika films) which is a record for any hero in a single theater throughout A.P.
  
  
• NTR had 9 movies, which ran for 22 weeks, 10 movies that ran for 21 weeks, 11 movies that ran for 18 weeks, 15 movies that ran for 16 weeks in this theater, which is also a record.
  
  
• ANR had 4 100 days movies at this theater; incidentally all those are multistarrer movies with NTR.
  
  
• Hero Krishna had 3 movies that ran for 100 days at this prestigious theater.
  
  
• Shobhan Babu had 2 movies that have 100 days and Balakrishna and Chiranjeevi had one 100's each at this theater.
  
  
• He-Man Shobhan Babu's Jeevana Jyothi is the first film in Durgakalamandir to be housefuls for 42 days and is the first film to get 16 weeks run in any color film in that theatre.
  
  
• Dr. NTR's Vetagadu is the first film in Durgakalamandir to be housefuls for more than 50 days (57 days).
  

Below is the list of all Silver Jubilee, 100 days and 50 days movies of top heroes that were exhibited in Durgakalamandir

S. No.	Year	Movie Name	Hero(es)	Days
Silver Jubilees
1	1951	Pathala Bhairavi	NTR	183
2	1952	Pelli Chesi Chudu	NTR	182
3	1957	Maya Bazaar	NTR, ANR	175
4	1962	Gundamma Katha	NTR, ANR	175
5	1967	Ummadi Kutumbam	NTR	197
6	1968	Ramu	NTR	181
7	1970	Kodalu Diddina Kapuram	NTR	177
8	1979	Vetagadu	NTR	175
100 days Movies
1	1959	Appu Chesi Pappu Kudu	NTR	106
2	1960	Sri Venkateswara Mahaatyam	NTR	153
3	1961	Jagadekaveeruni Katha	NTR	128
4	1963	Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddham	NTR, ANR	147
5	1963	Bandipotu	NTR	100
6	1964	Ramudu Bheemudu	NTR	112
7	1965	Naadhee Aadajanme	NTR	103
8	1965	C.I.D	NTR	105
9	1966	Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam	NTR	113
10	1966	Sri Krishna Thulaabhaaram	NTR	112
11	1969	Varakatnam	NTR	100
12	1970	Thallaa Pellaama	NTR	106
13	1971	Rythubidda	NTR	101
14	1971	Sri Krishna Sathya(Color)	NTR	104
15	1973	Deshoddharakulu	NTR	105
16	1977	Dana Veera Sura Karna	NTR	100
17	1977	Chanakya Chandraguptha	NTR, ANR	100
18	1979	Driver Ramudu	NTR	115
19	1984	Brahmamgari Charithra	NTR	100
20	1980	Maama Allulla Sawal	Krishna	100
21	1995	Amma Donga	Krishna	106
22	1973	Puttinillu Mettinillu	Shobhan Babu, Krishna	100
23	1975	Jeevana Jyothy	Shobhan Babu	111
24	1986	Anasuyamma Gaari Alludu	Balakrishna	100
25	1991	Kodama Simham	Chiranjeevi	100
50 days Movies
1	1950	Shavukaru	NTR	76
2	1954	Chandraharam	NTR	63
3	1954	Sangham	NTR	83
4	1955	Missamma	NTR, ANR	72
5	1955	Rechukka	NTR	77
6	1958	Bhookailas	NTR, ANR	63
7	1958	Karthavarayani Katha	NTR	56
8	1959	Rechukka-Pagati Chukka	NTR	56
9	1960	Vimala	NTR	83
10	1961	Intiki Deepam Illale	NTR	64
11	1962	Gaalimedalu	NTR	77
12	1964	Babhruvahana	NTR	55
13	1965	Sathya Harischandra	NTR	69
14	1966	Srikakulaandhra Maha Vishnuvu Katha	NTR	68
15	1967	Punyavathi	NTR, Sobhan Babu	53
16	1968	Umaa chandee Gouree shankarula Katha	NTR	50
17	1968	Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam(rerelease)	NTR	50
18	1969	Gandikota Rahasyam	NTR	69
19	1969	Kadaladu-Vadhaladu	NTR	65
20	1969	Bhale Thammudu	NTR	57
21	1970	Chitti Chellelu	NTR	71
22	1974	Thatamma kala	NTR	50
23	1975	Kathaanayakuni Katha	NTR	62
24	1982	Anuraga devatha	NTR	70
25	1983	Chanda Shasanudu	NTR	61
26	1944	Seetharama Jananam	ANR	56
27	1951	Manthra Dandam	ANR	63
28	1954	Chakrapani	ANR	70
29	1955	Vadina	ANR	56
30	1961	Bhaktha Jayadeva	ANR	78
31	1964	Murali Krishna	ANR	70
32	1982	Gopala Krishnudu(color)	ANR	50
33	1973	Ganga Manga	Shoban Babu, Krishna	62
34	1974	Kode nagu	Shoban Babu	63
35	1977	Jeevitha Nouka	Shoban Babu	56
36	1978	Nayudu Baava	Shoban Babu	54
37	1978	Kalanthakulu	Shoban Babu	50
38	1990	Doshi Nirdoshi	Shoban Babu	50
39	1976	Sri Rajarajeswari vilas coffee club	Krishna	50
40	1983	Ramarajyam lo Bheemaraju	Krishna	78
41	1987	Muddayi	Krishna	70
42	1988	Rowdy No 1	Krishna	55
43	1985	Pattabhishekam	Balakrishna	50
44	1987	President gaari abbayi	Balakrishna	50
45	1988	Thallithadrulu	Balakrishna	50
46	1987	Srinivasa Kalyanam	Venkatesh	50
47	1972	Kula Gouravam	NTR	48
48	1981	Sathyam Shivam	NTR, ANR	49

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