COPYCATS IN T’WOOD
Most of the Telugu industry’s scripts are either copied, inspired or remade, and this was rightfully called out by singer S.P. Balasubramanyam
A few days ago, legendary playback singer S.P. Balasubramanyam criticised Telugu movies for their lack of nativity and originality. He requested filmmakers and stars to make films that would inspire Telugu people and the nation.
It’s true. Every other Telugu film is either an official remake of a hit from other language or lifts from English films and World Cinema.
This phenomenon is not new — the practice dates back to the 1980s and some of the top directors have been guilty of it. The difference is, earlier, even if the filmmakers were inspired by other language films, they worked on the nativity. Back then, films based on Telugu novels were successful too. In the last few years, the West has been a major influencer.
WILL THIS CHANGE?
“In the Telugu states, since the rate of literacy was low, our filmmakers depended on the regular, hit formulas to churn out films. Now that people are more educated, they don’t mind watching folk, historic and family subjects,” says Gunasekhar, who produced and directed the historic film Rudhramadevi. “When I shared the subject with a few producers, they rejected it saying people don’t watch historic subjects. That’s why I decided to produce the film myself,” he informs, adding further, “With Gautamiputra
Satakarni being a success, I am confident that Telugu cinema is slowly inclining towards nativity and coming up with more historic and local subjects,” feels Gunasekhar. Interestingly, the director is coming up with two projects Hiranyakasipa and
Prataparudrudu based on mythology and history. PLAYING SAFE
Telugu cinema depends heavily on the “success mantra”. If a horror comedy is successful, everyone makes a film in the same genre. In the last few years, half the films made were horror comedy.
“The audience never tells you what kind of films they want. If you make a good film, they’ll watch it. It’s the producers who feel if they are putting in money, the film must get returns — so they don’t want to take any risk. Only a rare breed of producers give importance to a good story.
“The shift may not happen immediately, but it will change soon,” feels Satish Vegnesa, director of
Shatamanam Bhavati . “Most of the top stars want to act in the typical action entertainers, so the directors have to oblige. It’s not only the directors but the stars too should come forward and agree to do a different genre, that’s when the writers can think of original subject that suits the local nativity,” adds Gunasekhar.
Most top stars want to act in the typical action entertainers, so directors have to oblige GUNASEKHAR, DIRECTOR