Last year was almost a wretched one for Tollywood.

Trade figures now suggest that only Vrasham and Arya could be classified as genuine hits. There were some decent grossers but nothing in the league of above two.

This being the case Tollywood honchos were hoping that at least 2005 would be different.

The success of NVNV for Sankranthi sent out all the positive signals.

But as we enter the second week of February, the mood is already decidedly downcast.

Except MS Raju's NVNV nothing has clicked at the box office. Pandhem is doing okay.

But among the failures are Naa Alludu, Dhairiyam (on initial estimates), Manasu Mata Vinadu, Ore Pandu and several others.

The list looks big considering the number of releases.

Tollywood sources say that the worrying factor is there are no real stories or story ideas emerging. Further, the other issue most of the heroes do not want take any risks. "They just want to play up to the gallery. A film like Sivaputrudu (that won Vikram the national award) cannot be made in Telugu these days," says a leading director whose unconventional film ideas have been rejected by actors.

The industry is now looking up to Radha Goplam and Sankranthi. If they click, something could be salvaged.

But if they don't, Tollywood would again be looking down the barrel of disaster.