Ram Gopal Varma felt that Telugu cinema must continue to innovate and deliver exceptional content to sustain its momentum.
Published Aug 08, 2024 | 5:58 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 08, 2024 | 5:58 PM
Telugu cinema is driven by egos of its heroes, says Ram Gopal Varma. (X)
Ram Gopal Varma, known for his provocative statements, recently took a dig at Telugu cinema, claiming it’s driven by the egos of top heroes. He claimed this places a heavy financial burden on producers and buyers.
The director, who recently did a cameo in Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD, also alleged that a top Telugu star used his own money to keep a failing film in theatres, despite its poor performance.
In a recent interview with Galatta Plus, Ram Gopal Varma stated that producers largely vanished from Bollywood and Hollywood, though not yet in Telugu cinema.
He noted, “Individual producers are rare now. Maybe a few still exist in the South, but in Bombay, they’re gone. In Hollywood, I can’t even name one. Bombay producers now rely on pre-deals with corporate entities.”
Ram Gopal Varma further said individual producers continue in Telugu cinema because the egos of its heroes drive it. He provided an example to support his point.
“A Bombay-based corporate produced a major film with a Telugu star. When the film started losing money, the company wanted to pull it from theatres. Concerned about the star’s reputation, his fans urged him to fund the screenings to keep it running. The corporate agreed since the star covered the costs. However, this wasn’t communicated to the distributor, who stopped placing ads due to unpaid costs and ongoing losses.”
Ram Gopal Varma noted that Telugu heroes are put off by the professionalism of corporate entities.
“These companies don’t produce films; they acquire them. Burdened by huge budgets, producers rely on selling films at high prices, which creates financial strain for buyers. This is unique to the Telugu industry. In Bollywood, I’ve never seen buyers protesting outside a producer’s house.”
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The filmmaker, further, praised Malayalam cinema’s transformation from being stereotyped for adult content to becoming a global powerhouse with widely appealing films.
He noted, “A few unexpected films released in quick succession can change everything. Malayalam cinema was once known for its sex films. When I was studying in Vijayawada, we avoided them for this reason. But now, the best films are coming from the Malayalam industry. It’s not that good films didn’t exist before, but factors like the types of films distributors brought in shaped perceptions.”
When asked about the future of Indian cinema over the next decade, Ram Gopal Varma replied that with the industry evolving so quickly, it’s challenging to predict what will happen even in the next six months.
While other industries are struggling, the Malayalam film industry achieved significant success this year, reportedly surpassing the ₹1,000 crore mark globally, with three films—Manjummel Boys, Aadujeevitham, and Aavesham—contributing about 55 percent of the total gross.
Ram Gopal Varma attributed this rapid change to a series of unexpected hits that have transformed the industry. He highlighted the influence of technical advancements and the Baahubali franchise (2015 & 2017) in fostering an environment for big-budget films.
He also observed the exceptional stardom of Telugu actors Ram Charan and Prabhas, who outshone many Bollywood stars. He sees this as a sign of the industry’s evolving dynamics, where geographic boundaries are diminishing and content is the key driver.
However, the director cautioned that despite the surge in film production, capturing and retaining audience attention remains a formidable challenge. Telugu cinema must continue to innovate and deliver exceptional content to sustain its momentum, Ram Gopal Varma observed.
“Success hinges on timing and the ability to produce and release films effectively. While making a film is one challenge, standing out in the crowded content landscape is another. With more films being produced, the biggest challenge will be attracting viewers amidst the growing number of projects.”
(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)
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