Balayya shares his personal experiences

Raghupathi Venkayya Award winner, Balayya revealed some of his very startling episodes and experiences during his tenure as a producer under Amrutha Films Banner. The film was ‘Chellelu Kaapuram’ which he had taken up with literature and poetry given top priority. Hero Sobhan Babu played the role of poet and he was least paid artist at that time. Heroine Vanisri and villain Naga Bhushanam were paid much more than what Sobhan Babu was paid. After the film was ready, distributors were taken aback at the high dose of literature in film and raised doubts on success. Balayya had put in his last penny in film and said he has no more money to spend.

Though distributors stepped back at last moment due to high decibels of literature, he released on own. The classic literature proved to be best point and film was a runaway success. After this, Balayya went on for second picture approaching same hero Sobhan Babu. He flatly rejected the offer. It was a good story and was told to Vanisri as well. She too said no citing dates. Next Balayya and director K. Vishwanath turned to Krishna who accepted the film and brought in Kannada star Bharathi. The film was ‘Neramu Siksha’, that was again a block-buster.