The Cinema of Andhra Pradesh (also known as Telugu cinema or Tollywood) is a South Indian film industry based in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. The Telugu language film industry, being the second largest in India, in terms of market capitalization and infrastructure, holds a memorandum of understanding with Motion Picture Association of America to combat video piracy. As per the CBFC report of 2010, the industry stood third in India, in terms of films produced yearly. The industry holds the Guinness World Record for the largest film production facility in the world.

Moola Narayana Swamy and B. N. Reddy founded Vijaya Vauhini Studios in 1948 based in Chennai.Indian film doyen, L. V. Prasad who started his film career with Bhakta Prahlada has founded Prasad Studios in 1956 based in Chennai. However, through the efforts of D. V. S. Raju, the Telugu film industry has completely shifted its base from Chennai to Hyderabad in the early 1990s, during N. T. Rama Rao's political realm.

Veteran actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao was the first person to come to Hyderabad and build a studio, which he named Annapurna Studios. The Telugu film industry is one of the three largest film producers in India. About 245 Telugu films were produced in 2006, the highest in India for that year. Film producing studios in Andhra Pradesh, developed by D. Ramanaidu and Ramoji Rao are involved in prolific film production and employment.

Abdul Khader (7 April 1926 – 16 January 1989), better known by his stage name Prem Nazir (Malayalam: പ്രേം നസീര്‍), was an Indian film actor. He is considered one of the all time super stars in Malayalam cinema. He is referred to as the Nithya Haritha Nayakan (Ever Green Hero) of Malayalam cinema.

Nazir holds four acting records in the Indian film industry; for playing the lead role in nearly 610 films, for playing opposite the same heroine in 107 films (with Sheela), for acting in lead roles in thirty nine films which were released in a single year (1979), and for acting opposite eighty heroines. He is regarded as one of the most successful actors in Indian cinema, and is also known for his powerful performances in films like Iruttinte Athmavu, Kallichellamma, Dhwani, Murappennu, Anubhavangal Paalichakal, Padayottam, Vida Parayum Munpe, Azhakulla Saleena, and Nadhi. The Government of India has honoured him with the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, the third and fourth highest civilian honours respectively, for his contribution towards Indian cinema.

Vijaya Nirmala (Telugu: విజయ నిర్మల) is a South Indian actress and director. In 2002, the Guinness Book of Records named her as the female director who had made the highest number of films. She has directed 47 movies.

Vijaya Nirmala's entry into the film industry was as a child artiste in Panduranga Mahatmyam (1957) at the age of 7. In 1964, she starred opposite Prem Nazir in the landmark Malayalam film Bhargavi Nilayam. She debuted in Telugu industry through the film Rangula Ratnam. Her debut film in Tamil was Engaveettu Penn, which was followed by movies including Panama Paasama, En Annan, Gnanaoli, and Uyira Maanama. She met her second husband Krishna on the sets of Saakshi (1967), her second film in Telugu, and they starred together in 47 films. It was Saakshi, that kindled her interest in direction.

To date, she has acted in over 200 films with 25 each in Malayalam and Tamil, and the remaining in Telugu. Her small screen debut came with Balaji Telefilms Pelli Kanuka. Soon after, she launched her own banner Vijaya Krishna Movies and produced 15 films. She made her directional debut with a Malayalam film with a budget of 3 lakhs. She made her directorial debut in Telugu with Meena and directed 40 films in Telugu and one film each in Malayalam (directorial debut film) and Tamil (Kungumachimizh). Currently the actress-director is based in Hyderabad and is managing Padmalaya Studios and Padmalaya Telefilms Ltd.

She is the aunt of the famous former Telugu Super Star actress-turned-politician, Vijaya Shanthi, who as of this writing is now a Member of Parliament.

Vijayalalitha or Vijaya Lalitha (Telugu: విజయలలిత) is a Telugu / Tamil / Hindi actress.

She acted in many Telugu films in the 1960s and 70s. She also starred in a few Tamil and Hindi movies, such as Sadhu Aur Shaitan, Rani Mera Naam and Hathkadi. She was popular for her "female James Bond" roles, acting opposite major stars such as N.T.Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao and others. Her most popular movies include Rowdy Rani, Revolver Rani, Chalaki Rani Kiladi Raja, Bhale Rangadu, Manushullo Devudu, Kadaladu Vadaladu and many more.

She is very punctual to her duty and used to attend to the film shooting schedules in time. This attitude brought her many chances to act in some films.

Vijaya Lalitha at the Internet Movie Database