The 10 Best Telugu Film Performances of 2024: Dulquer Salmaan, Amitabh Bachchan, And More

Telugu cinema bustled with activity in 2024. From ultra-big releases that set the box office on fire, to understated niche narratives that tugged at the heartstrings—along with everything in between—the industry churned out a superb succession of films by banking on its wide spectrum of storytelling talent, paving the stage for actors to put on performances that were as vibrant and diverse as the films.

So, as we draw curtains on a rather eventful year, here’s a light on all the acting performances that made a mark. The list, in no particular order, includes film titles only—even though the web-series space sprung many good surprises of its own too.

Nivetha Thomas (35 Chinna Katha Kaadu)

Actors often tend to overreach when tasked with playing characters deemed mature for their age. Nivetha Thomas, though, takes on the challenge with elan and delivers a delightful, measured performance in Nanda Kishore Emani's comedy-drama.

Thomas plays a mother who has gladly accepted that her job — for many years to come — is to look after her two young boys and her affable, supportive husband (played by a superb Vishwadev). But when an opportunity to pursue a goal of her own knocks on the door, the beaming face of that mother makes way for an unyielding demeanour, and Nivetha Thomas sees through this arc with minimum fuss and maximum effect.

Allu Arjun (Pushpa: The Rule) 

In Sukumar’s hugely successful second instalment, Allu Arjun unflinchingly dials up the theatrics, and at no point seems worried about going overboard. He struts through his performance in a self-aware manner that allows all the vagaries—the raised shoulder, the mumbling speech, the flashy wardrobe, etc—to be inherently part of the character's personality, all the while simultaneously imbuing it with his trademark ease.

Beyond all this, what makes the portrayal strike a chord is his deep understanding of the emotional journey of the character in the story.

Dulquer Salmaan (Lucky Baskhar)

Venky Atluri's film sees Dulquer Salmaan in a role that the actor has already played a version of: a charming gentleman from a period setting, whose earthy-toned formal attires speak a lot about his simplicity. Yet, in Lucky Baskhar, Dulquer manages to lend a playful, slightly caustic edge to that congenial personality, and makes him a larger-than-life hero who pulls off daring cons, yet gets away in a whisker every single time.

What makes this performance tick is the actor’s commendable awareness that he must always remain likeable, even if the scenario paints him in a bad light.

Amitabh Bachchan (Kalki: 2898 AD)

As the cursed immortal warrior Ashwatthama in Nag Ashwin's epic, Amitabh Bachchan wades through a whole lot of on-screen maquillage to put on a show that oscillates between fiery and reflective. The 82-year-old actor holds his own amidst a spectacle of visual effects and star power, while simultaneously defying his age and giving everyone around him—including Prabhas—a proper run for their money with his stoic, emotionally stirring performance.

Naresh (Veeranjaneyulu Vihara Yatra)

In Vivek Athreya's Ante Sundaraniki (2022), Naresh portrayed a father who has put his life on hold to focus on trivial matters. In contrast, in Anurag Palutla’s Veeranjaneyulu Vihara Yatra, he plays a middle-aged man who is constantly on the move, trying to escape the inner pain he’s struggling with. There is very little that separates these two characters in terms of their archetypes, but Naresh masterfully makes two distinct individuals out of them.

He might not be the only pivotal character in Palutla’s film, but the magic lies in how he makes the essence of his character linger.

NTR Jr. (Devara: Part 1)

It goes without saying that NTR Jr. gives everything he’s got for a performance—even if the film around him isn’t entirely working. In Koratala Siva’s first of his two-part magnum opus, the 41-year-old superstar fires from all cylinders and renders a dual role of starkly contrasting personalities with all heart and signature intensity. NTR has played the angst-filled leading man countless times in the past, but he looks like a seasoned beast in Devara: Part 1—having evolved immensely through his stint under S.S. Rajamouli in RRR (2022).

Sharanya Pradeep (Ambajipeta Marriage Band)

From playing a nurturing sister to an empathetic friend to a goofy, wise-cracking partner-in-crime, Sharanya Pradeep has proven over the years that she is one of the most reliable actors around. However, a role worth her range and talent eluded her for many years until Dushyanth Katikaneni’s Ambajipeta Marriage Band came around. As Padma, Suhas’ on-screen twin sister, Sharanya Pradeep takes on a challenging role that stands tall as a symbol of resilience and autonomy in the face of patriarchy. 

Even when the character is tokenistic, and the writing feels heavy-handed in parts, Sharanya commits to the task with great conviction and renders Padma as a person you recognise and empathise with.

Nani (Saripodha Sanivaaram)

Vivek Athreya’s inventive attempt at a mass film comprises not one, but two exciting central performances.

While Nani leads the way with his assured rendition of a boy-next-door with an anger problem, SJ Suryah almost steals the show with his trademark unchecked charisma on the screen. Yet, it is the Natural Star who makes a compelling case for himself by incorporating relatability into his violent, intense character, delivering a performance that is both raw and refined.

Vishwak Sen (Gaami)

Vidyadhar Kagita’s Gaami is a rare, audacious experiment in Telugu cinema that was likely to have slid under the radar, had it not been for Vishwak Sen headlining it.

That isn’t to say that the actor gets the credit for the film, but his desire to participate in such an outlier effort speaks volumes about his willingness to learn and grow as an actor. In Gaami, he tests himself both physically and mentally to deliver an emotionally charged anchor role that binds the adventurous story together.

Not to forget, he is ably supported by the rest of the cast including Mohammad Samad, Abhinaya and Chandni Chowdary—along with a superb technical team.

Satya (Mathu Vadalara 2)

Comedic actors in Telugu cinema are no longer the ancillary ingredients, and actor Satya proves this with a lot of verve in Mathu Vadalara 2.  He returns as the bumbling charlatan Yesudas in Ritesh Rana’s sequel, and runs quite the riot in a plot brimming with schemes, twists and characters. Satya’s comic timing is at its best here, and helped by Rana’s script which gives him ample time to shine and sizzle—not just as the comic-routine guy, but also as one of the central characters.