Is Alludu Adhurs getting a shabby treatment?
Nallamalappu Bujji alleges favouritism in the industry, stating a producer guild is side-lining his nephew’s film
Young actor Bellamkonda Sai Srinivas and new producer Gorella Subramanyam have been experiencing some sleepless nights of late. Their upcoming big-ticket flick Alludu Adhurs has been facing several hurdles in its release, which was planned for 14 January. Unfortunately, the concerns once again point to favouritism in the industry.
Filmmaker Nallamalappu Bujji, who is also Bellamkonda Sai Srinivas’s uncle, shares his thoughts. “The producer has spent Rs 27 crore on the movie, and we are naturally hoping for good openings. However, the Active Telugu Film Producer’s Guild (ATFPG) has been setting unprofessional conditions, making it difficult for its smooth release as they want to give more theatres and advertising space to the other film, Red, because it has been produced by Sranvathi Ravi Kishore who is a Guild member,” he states.
Nallamalappu Bujji further states that despite paying Rs 9 lakhs to the Guild for advertisements on various channels, Alludu Adhurs was given limited slots. “Now, they have suspended promotions of the film a day before its release, which is unethical. Just because Gorella Subramanyam is a new producer, he’s been taken for a ride, which is why we stepped in to handle the onslaught,” he reveals.
MONOPOLISTIC KILLJOYS
The filmmaker alleges that a monopoly-kind situation exists in the industry, with producer-distributor Dil Raju calling the shots.
“Dil Raju decides which film has to be released, and the Guild listens to his diktats blindly because he holds the cards. They are willing to give more theatres to Tamil-dubbed film Master but not for a straight Telugu film such as Alludu Adhurs, which stars Bellamkonda Srinivas who has delivered a blockbuster with the 2019-film Rakshasudu and is a rising star in Telugu,” he points out.
Nallamalappu Bujji sees nothing new in releasing big films on the same day during the Sankranthi festival. “Sankranthi is the biggest festival for Telugus, and many actors have clashed at the box office in the past.
Even last year, Mahesh Babu’s Sarileru Neekevvaru and Allu Arjun’s Ala Vaikunt ha purr a mu loo released on Sankranthi, and both films minted money. We’d also hoped to cash in on the festival crowds this year, but we have been deprived of a good number of theatres and promotion time in the Telangana State,” explains the filmmaker, adding, “Then there is the concern of the 50%-occupancy guideline as well. And more importantly, the first three days’ collections are crucial these days because of piracy, so we have to fight hard.”
Dil Raju decides which film has to be released, and the Guild listens to his diktats blindly because he holds the cards. They are willing to give more theatres to Tamil-dubbed film Master but not for a straight Telugu film such as Alludu Adhurs
— Nallamalappu Bujji