Rom-Coms Are Back: Telugu Love Stories Finding Their Charm Again
telugu romantic comedies Explore how Telugu romantic comedies are making a comeback in 2025. From heartfelt love stories to witty entertainers, discover the new wave of Tollywood romance films winning hearts again.
After years of larger-than-life action spectacles and mythological dramas dominating Telugu cinema, romantic comedies (rom-coms) are once again stealing the spotlight.
In 2025, Tollywood audiences have rediscovered their love for feel-good stories, modern relationships, and emotional simplicity. Films like Bubblegum and Kushi have sparked a wave of renewed interest in romance-driven narratives, marking a heartwarming comeback for the genre.
💞 The Lost Era of Telugu Rom-Coms
Between 2017 and 2023, Telugu cinema was defined by scale and spectacle — Baahubali, Pushpa, Akhanda, and RRR changed the industry’s direction.
While these blockbusters elevated Tollywood globally, they also pushed romantic dramas to the sidelines.
The audience began craving emotional storytelling again — stories about connection, everyday love, and relationships that felt real.
This nostalgia has now evolved into a modern revival, led by young filmmakers and fresh-faced stars.
🌸 The 2025 Rom-Com Revival: What Changed?
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels🎥 1. Younger Storytellers, Real Conversations
Filmmakers like Ravikanth Perepu (Kshanam, Krishna and His Leela) and Deepthi Ganta (Meet Cute) have brought refreshing authenticity to on-screen romance.
These directors focus on realistic dialogues, mutual respect between partners, and emotional vulnerability — far from the over-the-top dramatics of older love stories.
💡 2. OTT Influence on Storytelling
The OTT boom (Aha, Netflix, Prime Video) has reshaped audience tastes.
Viewers now prefer character-driven love stories with depth and humor rather than conventional formulas.
Films like Bubblegum (2023) and Love Me If You Dare (2025) reflect this sensibility — urban, youthful, and emotionally grounded.
💃 3. Female Voices in Love Stories
One of the most positive shifts is the rise of female-centered rom-coms.
Movies like Meet Cute, Sita Ramam, and Miss Shetty Mr. Polishetty set a trend where women have stronger, more independent arcs within love stories.
❤️ 4. Aesthetic Storytelling & Music Revival
Romance and music have always gone hand-in-hand in Tollywood.
Composers like Hesham Abdul Wahab (Hi Nanna, Kushi) and Thaman S have reignited the charm of soothing romantic soundtracks, enhancing emotional storytelling.
💘 Notable Romantic Hits & Highlights
🎬 Bubblegum (2023)
- Cast: Roshan Kanakala, Maanasa Choudhary
- Why It Worked: A Gen-Z rom-com with nostalgic college vibes and authentic performances.
- Roshan’s natural acting brought freshness reminiscent of 2000s campus hits like Happy Days.
🔗 Read: The Hindu Review of Bubblegum
🎬 Kushi (2023)
- Cast: Vijay Deverakonda, Samantha Ruth Prabhu
- Why It Worked: A mature romance exploring post-marital struggles with warmth and humor.
- The film’s sincerity, music, and chemistry resonated across demographics.
🎬 Love Me If You Dare (2025)
- Cast: Ashish Reddy, Vaishnavi Chaitanya
- Why It Worked: A paranormal twist on romance — experimental but rooted in Telugu emotional tone.
- Represents the fusion of genre innovation and love story tradition.
🎬 Hi Nanna (2023)
- Cast: Nani, Mrunal Thakur
- Why It Worked: Beautifully emotional storytelling with heartfelt performances and a father-daughter dynamic.
- One of the most streamed Telugu films on Netflix in 2024, strengthening the demand for soft romance.
🌹 Why Telugu Audiences Love Rom-Coms Again
Relatability: Modern rom-coms speak to everyday youth — friendships, self-discovery, and love beyond clichés.
Emotionally Comforting: In a post-pandemic world, audiences are drawn to lighter, hopeful themes.
Balanced Entertainment: The genre now merges humor, realism, and intimacy in ways older films couldn’t.
Fresh Faces: Actors like Roshan Kanakala, Vaishnavi Chaitanya, and Siddu Jonnalagadda bring authenticity and charm to their roles.
🎥 Industry Insight: Rom-Coms as Smart Box Office Bets
Photo by cottonbro studio on PexelsWhile mega-action films dominate budgets, romantic comedies are low-risk, high-return investments for producers.
- Average budget: ₹6–12 crore
- OTT + music rights recovery: 60–70% pre-release
- Urban multiplex audience + streaming revenue = sustainable model
In short, the rom-com genre’s business model is perfectly aligned with the evolving Tollywood ecosystem.
💬 Industry Voices
🎙️ Nani (in a recent Aha interview):
“Audiences want to smile, cry, and fall in love again. After so many intense films, they’re craving something heartfelt — and that’s what Telugu cinema is rediscovering.”
🎙️ Director Ravikanth Perepu:
“Romance is timeless, but our perspective on love changes. We’re telling the same stories differently now — more honestly, more emotionally.”
💡 Internal Link
📖 Related Reading: Inside Telugu Cinema’s New Gen Stars: Teja Sajja, Kireeti Reddy, and Roshan Kanakala
– Explore how new-age Telugu actors are redefining on-screen love and youth-centric storytelling.
🌍 Useful Links
Photo by Paul Lichtblau on PexelsFilmibeat – Upcoming Telugu Movies 2025
❓ FAQs – Telugu Romantic Comedies 2025
Q1. Are romantic comedies popular again in Telugu cinema?
A: Yes! After years of action dominance, 2025 has seen a huge revival in Telugu rom-coms.
Q2. Which recent Telugu romantic films are must-watches?
A: Bubblegum, Love Me If You Dare, Kushi, and Hi Nanna have all received audience love.
Q3. Who are the leading new-gen actors in romantic Telugu films?
A: Roshan Kanakala, Vaishnavi Chaitanya, and Sreeleela are emerging as the faces of new-age love stories.
Telugu romantic comedies are no longer outdated relics of the past — they’ve evolved into emotionally intelligent, youth-driven stories that reflect the times we live in.
In 2025, Tollywood rediscovered the magic of love — in laughter, silence, music, and everyday moments.
As audiences fall in love with romance again, one thing is clear:
💖 The heart of Telugu cinema is beating stronger than ever.
✍️ Author Block
Written by: Movishala Editorial Team
Editor: Movishala Blog
Date: October 2025
Latest Update (April 2026)
As the Telugu rom-com genre continues to flourish, several new films have recently gained significant attention. Notably, ‘Love in the Time of Technology,’ directed by a promising new filmmaker, has become a sleeper hit, drawing audiences with its unique blend of humor and heartfelt moments set against a tech-savvy backdrop. Additionally, veteran actor Nani’s latest film, ‘Second Chances,’ has been praised for its fresh take on love and relationships, resonating well with both younger and older audiences. The resurgence of rom-coms has also sparked discussions among filmmakers about reviving classic love stories with modern twists, indicating a promising trajectory for the genre in the coming years.
