Small filmmakers gear up for big fight
Stop stepmotherly treatment: Producers to lessees
Over 200 producers in Tollywood are set to boycott the 1,600-odd theatres in Andhra Pradesh from February 20 and screen their films via DTH or satellite channels instead.
The Producers’ Sector of the AP Film of Commerce will convene an emergency general body meeting on January 23 to discuss the decision to stop bigscreen releases as well as the shoddy treatment being meted out to small films by theatre owners.
Even though 70 to 80 of the 120 Telugu films released every year are “small” films, they are not given due respect by theatres. This Sankranti, as has been noticed before, a bunch of films like Yamudiki Mogudu, Ko Ante Koti, Sevakudu, and Genius were abruptly discontinued in theatres to accommodate two star- studded movies, Naayak and Seethamma Vakitlo… “Naayak and Seethamma… were screened in 1,200 theatres across the state and festival crowds were forced to watch only these two films. As a result, a bunch of small filmmakers had to suffer huge financial losses. We will not tolerate this monopoly anymore, will complain to Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy. We will also file a complaint with the Competition Commission of India,” informs Nattikumar, president of Producers’ Sector, Andhra Pradesh Film Chamber of Commerce.
With the two big films garnering over Rs 60 crore at the box office in eight to nine days and viewers exhausting their entertainment budgets, the smaller films were left in the lurch.
Leading producer Dhanaiah says that this is not just a Tollywood phenomenon. “Even in Hollywood and Bollywood, big stars’ films are released in as many theatres as possible as fans are eager to watch them in the first week itself, especially during festivals. Besides, the threat of piracy and huge cost of production make grand openings even more crucial for us,” he reasons.
But surely, it can’t be at the cost of other films? For instance, Allari Naresh’s Yamudiki Mogodu was cancelled in 35-odd theatres in the twin cities, severely denting its collections. “It was doing very well but was abruptly discontinued. I should have been counting my profits now, instead I am facing a `3-crore deficit,” complains producer Addala Chanti, ruling out chances of a revival even though his comic caper is back in 10 theatres. “It’s difficult to regain the momentum, ” he laments.