The book represents his 25 years of research and presents the history of South Indian cinema to the readers. Published by Emesco Publications, the book launch was held at the Boi Vijaya Bharti venue, in the 37th Hyderabad Book Fair.

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Tollywood eminent director Trivikram Srinivas on Thursday unveiled the ‘Mana Cinema… First Reel’ book and said book is a must read book.  

Renowned journalist-writer, Nandi awardee as best 'Cine Critic' Dr Rentala Jayadeva, the man who unearthed the correct release date of the first full-length Telugu talkie 'Bhakta Prahlada' with his meticulous research, now authored the book, 'Mana Cinema... First Reel'.

The book represents his 25 years of research and presents the history of South Indian cinema to the readers. Published by Emesco Publications, the book launch was held at the Boi Vijaya Bharti venue, in the 37th Hyderabad Book Fair.

After unveiling the book, Trivikram Srinivas handed over the first copy to IRS officer Krishna Koundinya and the second copy to the co-chairman, 'Emesco' Vijay Kumar. Mamidi Harikrishna, Director of Telangana Language and Culture Department, Acharya D Chandrasekhar Reddy, the man who taught Jayadeva journalism lessons, noted poet-critic Afsar, writer Kalpana Rentala, director Dasharath, senior journalist Indira Parimi and others participated in this event.

Trivikram Srinivas speaking at the event after the book launch remembered the time when he met Rentala Jayadeva for the first time. He remembered that he met Jayadeva, for the first time in Chennai, when he was a struggler. He stated that he loved the way, Jayadeva passionately writes about the movies and at that time.  

“The book is titled 'First Reel'... because it talks about the early days of Telugu Cinema. I read only 200 pages of the book and I got to know there are people who read it entirely, so, I won't go into the details. 

This book is as interesting as the first reel of a film, like how the first reel takes you into the story within ten minutes of the movie, this one also takes into the history of cinema within the first ten pages," said Trivikram Srinivas.   

"I have never seen a person as passionate about movies as Jayadeva. Jayadeva has proved how authentic a person who loves cinema can write a book about cinema. I sincerely wish he spends more time writing books before he becomes a film writer.

In one word, Jayadeva did not write a book called 'First Reel'. Jayadeva told the story of the first talkies in South Indian languages like Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam. This book is like a novel. If you start reading in the morning, you will read three-quarter pages in two to three hours.

It doesn't feel like a 500 page book," said the eminent director.