Coronavirus and the subsequent lockdown sounded a death knell on all industries and Tollywood is no different. All the releases got stopped, films shootings got stalled and in the midst of all this people are getting attracted and used to OTT platforms. Under these circumstances, Tollywood is staring at a bleak future.
Uncertainty is looming large on when normalcy will be restored and how the impact will be on the films ready for release and the upcoming projects. Even high profile projects like Rajamouli’s RRR, Chiranjeevi’s Acharya, Pawan Kalyan’s Vakeel Saab and Prabhas’ upcoming projects are facing the heat.
Those days will not come when producers used to pump in huge amounts. It will become difficult for the producers to take care of the budget of the films. Analysts say Rajamouli’s RRR will also experience problem regarding film’s budget and business. Sources say it may face finance problems and they cannot repay the money as per the earlier deals. Under these circumstances, one can understand the situation of other producers.
Star producer SureshBabu asked stars to understand the ground reality and comedown on remuneration and bring down the production costs as otherwise it would be difficult for the film industry to survive. But the question is how far the stars will heed to this advice. Even if the stars consider, will the producers stop. This because producers are responsible for the increase in the astronomical rise of stars remuneration.
Situation will not be same like earlier when based on the stories combination could be set. Producers at that time used to compete for the stars dates and offer as much as they demanded. Sources say this was the reason why Mahesh Babu walked out of Sukumar’s project and did Sarileru Neekevvaru with Anil Ravipudi. Mahesh chose the easy way of getting Rs 50crs into his project rather than undergoing image transformation for Sukumar.
Heroes used to auction their call sheets depending on the craze for the producers, burden the producers the expenses of their caravans and even personal and family vacation expenses and also getting the share in the profits.
Unless until producers turn tough and change their stance in the changed circumstances and stop giving undue importance to stars and pay attention to stories , things will not change for the good. The question is will producers change?