Sri Sarathi Studios is a film studio facility located in Ameerpet, Hyderabad, India. Established in 1956, it was the first film studio facility in Hyderabad and was built by Yarlagadda Sivarama Prasad, the Raja of Challapalli.[2] The first film shot in the studio was Maa Inti Mahalakshmi (1959), which also holds the distinction of being the first Telugu film entirely shot in Hyderabad.[3]
Before Sarathi studios, Telugu cinema was based out of Madras (now Chennai) and most Telugu films were made in Madras. Hyderabad was known for Hindi film releases. Rojulu Marayi (1955) was released in Hyderabad and it ran for 100 days.[2] At an event celebrating the film's success, the then Revenue Minister of Andhra Pradesh K. V. Ranga Reddy asked Telugu filmmakers to shift to Hyderabad from Madras.[2][4]
In March 1956, Raja of Challapalli, Yarlagadda Sivarama Prasad, the producer of Rojulu Marayi heeded to Ranga Reddy's call and acquired 11.5 acres of land with a building in Hyderabad.[4][5] The building was originally built in 1936 for Kishen Pershad, then prime minister of Hyderabad State. It was designed by architect Mohammad Fayazuddin. Fayazuddin later went on to design the State Bank of Hyderabad, Ravindra Bharathi and several other iconic public buildings.[2][6]
Sivarama Prasad had also provided other facilities required for film shoots and established Sri Sarathi Studios as the first film studio complex in Hyderabad.[7] The art deco building designed by Fayazuddin in 1936 is now at the heart of the studio complex. Sivarama Prasad's brother Yarlagadda Rama Krishna Prasad acted as the managing director and chairman of the Studio. He took the technical inputs of famous cinematographer and technician CVVR Prasad in constructing Saradhi Studios.[5] In 1959, the first film made at the studio Maa Inti Mahalakshmi released in theatres.[2][8] It was also the first Telugu film to be completely filmed in Hyderabad.[8][3]
Change in management
In 1966, the management of the studio was passed over to Katragadda Srinivasa Rao, the head of Navayuga Films.[9] He managed the studio for over 40 years.[10]
The studio is now being managed by MSRV Prasad who took it over in 2006.[10][2] At the time of its purchase in 1956, the area was 11.5 acres; it has shrunk to about six acres by 2018.[1] It serves as a location for television shows, serials, post-production work, dubbing and other aspects of filmmaking. The studio was modernised with a new animation studio, digital intermediate lab, editing suits, and digital marketing division. The renovated Sarathi Studios was inaugurated in March 2016 with attendance from veteran filmmakersDasari Narayana Rao, K. Viswanath, and K. Raghavendra Rao.[10]
It was reported in October 2016 that a part of the Sarathi Studios will give way to a commercial mall, multiplex and hotel spread over 97,442 square metres built up area. Murali Krishna Raju, the COO of the studio said that while the original building with floors for indoor shooting will be intact, the outdoor area will be converted into a thematic mall.[1]
Sarathi Films produced the debut directorial ventures of noted directors L. V. Prasad and Tapi Chanakya. Waheeda Rehman and singer Master Venu were introduced to Telugu cinema by Sarathi Films.[5] Rama Krishna Prasad produced many films on Navayuga banner in association with Katragadda Srinivasa Rao.[5]
