Dil Raju is one producer who has scored the highest number of hits in 2017: Six hits in total. Every hit is special in one respect or another.

'Shatamanam Bhavati', a feel-good, albeit cliched, family entertainer starring Sharwanand, Anupama Parameswaran, Jayasudha and Prakash Raj in key roles, thrived in an ecosystem dominated by 'Khaidi No. 150' and 'Gautamiputra Satakarni'. A National Award and a Nandi followed, not surprisingly.

In less than a month, Sri Venkateswara Creations had another colossal hit for a medium-range star. It's Nani's 'Nenu Local'. Trinadha Rao Nakkina is no high-range director, much like Satish Vegesna, but he knows the audience's pulse. The result is a popcorn comedy where the Natural Star and Keerthy Suresh cackled up the screen.

'Duvvada Jagannadham' fetched profits for Raju like a few films would have. Allu Arjun's BO prowess was most evident in Nizam territory. Harish Shankar delivered a formulaic story in such a way that we couldn't take our eyes off Bunny's bipolar act.

Sekhar Kammula was waiting in the wings to score a blockbuster. In Raju he believed. 'Fidaa' is no 'Bommarillu', but SVC should put it on a high pedestal. It's a universal hit for sure. With no superstar face, it made a humongous share that crossed Rs. 45 Cr. Sai Pallavi has arrived, the audience cheered. Varun Tej reversed his hitherto limp career with this rom-com.

When Ravi Teja had to make a mini-comeback, it had to be with a 'Raja The Great'. Raju and Anil Ravipudi knew it. Here was a comedy plus actioner most of them fell in love with. Quirky characters and zany situations trumped the formulaic storyline. The blind hero did spin magic.

In December has come 'MCA'. Venu Sriram was no director in full form. Like Kammula, he was down. But the Nani-starrer has romped home with spectacular collections thus far. Raju's second hit with both the Natural Star and Sai Pallavi, this one saw him teaming up with Devi Sri Prasad for the third time in the year, the first two being 'NL' and 'DJ'.