Very difficult to draw in viewers for content-based movies: Anil Sunkara

Realising that it has become quite difficult to pull in audiences for content-driven movies these days, noted producer Anil Sunkara devised a new strategy. He organized 40-odd premiers for various sections of people and tasted success on ‘word-of-mouth’ publicity. He claims to have learnt a few lessons after a dud like ‘Agent’ and now focusing on story-driven stuff. In a brief chat with Deccan Chronicle.

You managed to taste success with the small film ‘Samajavaragamana’ despite no great openings?

It wasn’t as easy as it sounds. Honestly, it has become very difficult for content-driven movies to pull in audiences for the first show, first day. I devised a plan to hold premiers for a varied section of people. We held almost 40 shows in four days before the release. With our rival movie “SPY’ triggering a lot of buzz, we had to wait a bit and finally managed to mint money at the box office. After a gap, a film relying on word-of-mouth publicity worked wonders and brought in profits.

You seem to have learnt a few lessons after a dud like ‘Agent’?

I have learnt a few lessons from the failure of ‘Agent’ and I don’t intend to repeat them. Of course, ‘Agent’ has put me in financial stress but I am focusing on small movies at this point of time to prove that only good content works.

I will make a big budget extravaganza with superstar Mahesh Babu after he completes his film with S S Rajamouli. I am willing to wait for two or three years because I have great respect for Mahesh as a star as well as a human being.

Nowadays, you become a savior for young actors like Sree Vishnu and Ashwin?

On the contrary, Sree Vishnu has come like a savior for me and gave me a much-needed hit with ‘Samajavaragamana”. It is kind of a breather for me as I was stuck in flops. I had worked with stars and young actors too, depending on the stories. My other film ‘Hidimba’ with Ashwin has already fetched me table profits, while another film “Ooru Peru Bhairavakona’ triggered a lot of buzz. Both the films have unique content and we are quite confident.