Tollywood

/ ˈtɒlɪˌwʊd /

noun

1. the Telugu-language film industry, based in the state of Andhra Pradesh in SE India
2. the Bengali-language film industry, based in Tollygunge in E India

Word History and Origins

Origin of Tollywood¹

C20: a blend of Telugu (or Tollygunge ) + Hollywood ; compare Bollywood

Example Sentences

Despite her experience, Gottlieb incorrectly referred to “RRR” as a “Bollywood” rather than “Tollywood” film, as the Telugu-language industry is known, drawing ire on social media.

From Los Angeles Times

Oh, and the award for best original song went to “Naatu Naatu” from the epic “RRR,” a product of the huge Indian movie industry — not “Bollywood” but “Tollywood,” referring to films in the Telugu language, which is spoken in southeastern India.

From Washington Post

It pairs two of Tollywood’s biggest stars, N.T.

From Seattle Times

The lyricist Chandrabose, who is known for his work in Tollywood, that is, Telugu cinema, has said he wrote most of the words in about an hour.

From New York Times

Hailing from the South Indian Telugu-language film industry known as Tollywood, distinct from the Hindi-language films of Bollywood, “RRR” boasts breathtaking action sequences and musical numbers including the viral “Naatu Naatu,” a catchy Ukraine-shot song-and-dance sequence featuring an anti-colonialist message and fleet-footed moves by Charan and Rama Rao.

From Los Angeles Times