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.

Read more on 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.

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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.

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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.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“RRR” is a homegrown hit straight from South India and the Telugu-language film center known as Tollywood.

Read more on New York Times