The year saw some big budget movies and some modest ones.

While most of the big budget films couldn't win over the audience, some of the smaller ones did. Rooted in reality and drawing on contemporary themes, these critically acclaimed small films had a decent run at the box office as well. Here's a look at the top five this year:

Vedam

Cast: Allu Arjun, Manchu Manoj, Anushka, Manoj Bajpayee

Director: Radhakrishna (Krish) Jagarlamudi

Stories of five different people coalesced seamlessly in a climax made Vedam a spectacular watch.

Perhaps one of the true multi-starrers of Telugu cinema today, Vedam stood out for its subject matter inspired by real life and dispelling certain stereotypes in the Telugu film industry.

With it's emphasis on life and human relationships, the movie, starring Allu Arjun, Manoj Manchu, Anushka, Manoj Bajpai, Lekha Washington, Deeksha Seth, Saranya and Siya Gautam, was touching. 

Nagayya, who acts as the hapless weaver in penury who comes to the city with his daughter-in-law Padma (Saranya) is actually a real weaver who was picked up by the director to act in the film.

M M Keeravani's music (two songs Malli Puttani, Eechekati Cherani) added poignancy to the movie while the meaningful lyrics linger in the mind.

What made Vedam a visual treat is Gansekhar's excellent cinematography, Shravan's editing and Rajiv Nair's art direction. All in all, Vedam, directed by Krish, is a beautiful confluence of writing (by Krish) and technical excellence.

Cast: Saikumar, Sharwanand, Sandeep Kishan

Director: Devakatta

This gripping human drama with a political backdrop is based on the father-son and father-stepson relationship which looks at the greed for power with a bit of philosophy woven in.

Prasthanam was the only Telugu film screened at the International Film Festival of India in Goa this year.

Deva Katta scripts a saga which is engrossing and riveting with a brilliant screenplay.

On one level it was a human drama exploring familial relationships while on another, it looked at the avaricious greed for power.

Prasthanam was just a tad too long. Otherwise, it had outstanding performances by Saikumar, Sharwanand and Sandeep Kishan. It was captured on camera well by Shamdutt. Prasthanam was certainly worth a watch.

Cast: Naga Chaitanya, Samantha, Krishnudu

Director: Gautham Vasudev Menon

This love story with a realistic screenplay by Gautham Vasudev Menon, brilliant music and background score by A R Rahman and picturespque locales, was one of the earliest hits of the year.

Gautham Menon based his characters from real life and chose Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu to do so.

Manoj Parahamsa's spellbinding cinematography, Anthony's superb editing, Rajeevan neat art work and Gautham Vasudev Menon's deft screenplay and direction coupled with good performances from Naga Chaitanya and Samantha made this a lovely watch.

Cast: Rana Daggubati, Richa Gangopadhyay, Priya Anand, Suhasini, Subbiraju

Director: Sekhar Kammula

Sekhar Kammula introduced Rana Daggubati, (grandson of D Rama Naidu, son of Suresh Babu and nephew of Telugu superstar Venkatesh) in this film produced by AVM.

He chose a contemporary theme -- the lack of a leader and explored the political scenario in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The crux of the film was avineeti nirmoolana (eradication of corruption) and scripts the saga of Arjun Prasad, a son of a chief minister who by dint of circumstances is forced to assume political office.

Even the timing was perfect as it was released at a time of political uncertainty.

Rana Daggubati was quite impressive as the leader. He was ably complemented by Richa Gangopadhyay and Priya Anand. Suhasini is elegant and graceful, while Harshavardhan makes his presence felt.

Mickey Meyer's music was mellifluous.

Cast: Sharwanand, Padmapriya

Director: Chandra Siddhartha

Chandra Siddhartha invariably gives the audience something to take home with his films.

He did it again with Balabhadrapathruni Ramani's story which he developed into Andhari Banduvayya where he talks of a world where people who need each other are there for each other.

The film spoke of human values and morals which are fast diminishing in the world today. Without sermonising, he puts this across through the character of Sharwanand who is selfless and sacrificing.

Padmapriya provides perfect support to Sharwanand.