Small films make a big noise in Tollywood

With ‘Baby’ drawing grand openings, it looks like the Telugu audience is game for content-based films these days. Telugu audiences equally patronized other small films like ‘Balagam’ and ‘Samajavaragamana’ to change the game in Tollywood, which was otherwise loaded with star-studded movies. With three films together collecting more than Rs 60 crores this year, Telugu producers are scouting for novel content. “It is true that some producers are chasing good scripts over running behind big stars,” says producer Abhishek Nama, who cites the success of ‘DJ Tillu’ and others. “Honestly, only story-based are working at the box office these days and fetching some money for producers and exhibitors, while star movies are turning out to be losing propositions,” he adds. He also claims that big stars have a lot of reservations about scripts and locations curtailing the freedom of directors. “Young heroes are comparatively better and allow directors to deliver the movie they envisaged so small films are connecting better with viewers,” he reasons.

It appears that the new trend even prompted leading producer Anil Sunkara who is known for making big-budget films like ‘Sita’ and ‘Agent, to take the ‘content’ route to recover his losses. “I have made both small and big films in my career, so I have not followed any trend,” he reasons and adds, “After a few flops, my recent film ‘Samajavaragamana’ fetched me good profits, while my other content-based upcoming film ‘Hidimbha’ got me table profits. Which is quite rare in my career and I wish to deliver more good stories with young heroes and directors,” he adds.

Sharing his perspective on the small vs big films debate, young director Venu of “Balagam fame, says “Big and small films will have their own place in the industry. While some makers will churn out star films to cater to respective fans, whereas young directors will try to pull in audiences with their novel content. With a top producer like Dil Raju backing our film ‘Balagam’, we could reach out to even remote corners to mint money. Our film also drew critical acclaim from international fora,” he concludes.