Chhollywood refers to the film industry of Chhattisgarh state, central India, or to cinema in the Chhattisgarhi language.
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History
In 1965 the first Chhattisgarhi film [Kahi Debe Sandesh] ("In Black and White") directed and produced by Manu Nayak was released. It was a story of intercaste love and it is said that former Indian Prime minister Indira Gandhi watched the movie. Dr Hanumant Naidu wrote the lyrics for the film, and two songs of the movie were sung by Indian singer Mohammad Rafi. Then came the next, Niranjan Tiwari's directed Ghar Dwar in 1971, produced by Vijay Kumar Pandey. However, both movies did not do well at the box office, and disappointed the producers. No Chhatisgarhi movie was produced for nearly 30 years thereafter.
Modern cinema
In 2000, the Chhattisgarhi film industry was reborn with Satish Jain's produced and directed Mor Chhainha Bhuinya, released on October 27, 2000. Three days later, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced the creation of Chhattisgarh state. It is said that film was a mega-blockbuster as the film was produced at just Rs 20-30 lakh, but earned back over Rs 2 crore. In 2005, Lata Mangeshkar sung a song for a chhattisgarhi movie called Bhakla. All this progress revived the producers' interest in Chhattisgarhi cinema. Then came the next three super hit films Like Mayaa, Tura Rikshawala, and Laila Tip Top Chhaila Angutha Chhap, produced by Rocky Daswani and directed by Satish Jain.
Future
There used to be a time when a movie with a budget of 20-30 lakhs used to earn over a crore. Movies like Maya De De Maya Le Le, Pardeshi Ke Maya, Jhan Bhulao Maa Baap Laa and many more did very well at the box office. Today almost the complete film work is done in Chhattisgarh; film is sent to Mumbai only for the censor certificate. Digitization of Cinema benefited local cinema by cutting the film cost in terms of shooting and distribution of films. UFO Moviez was given as "Best Digital Cinema Solution Award" in Award Ceremony held in Raipur on 20 January 2013.