Filmmakers at loggerheads
Raj Kandukuri upset with Vivek Athreya
Producer Raj Kandukuri seems to be an upset man these days! Director Vivek Athreya seems to be the cause of his distress.
It was Raj Kandukuri who launched Vivek Athreya as director with Mental Madhilo in November 2017. The latter had agreed (in writing) to collaborate with Raj for his second film too. But he subsequently failed to honour this commitment.
According to Raj, Vivek told him that he would be able to team up with him only for his third film. “So I said OK,” shares Raj.
But now, another production house has announced that Vivek is working with them for his third film.
“I was stunned. I tried to reach out to him, but he wasn’t available, and I was livid,” explains Raj. He brought the matter to the notice of Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce secretary, K.L. Damodar Prasad, in November 2020.
“I have not given any written complaint; I just discussed the matter with Damodar garu orally because I wanted this matter to get resolved privately. I have great respect for Vivek,” reveals Raj.
When we reached out to Vivek Athreya, the director said he is in touch with the producer to resolve the matter. “I guess these things are pretty common in the industry, but I am constantly in touch with Raj garu and both of us are working to resolve the issue smoothly. I think the media is blowing up the issue,” Vivek said, and expressed confidence that the matter would be sorted out in a few days.
I have not given any written complaint; I just discussed the matter with Damodar orally because I wanted this matter to get resolved privately. I have great respect for Vivek Athreya. He is like my family
— Raj Kandukuri