National award winning director Neelakanta, who carved a niche for himself with varied movies like ‘Missamma' and 'Maaya’ is returning with an emotional thriller ‘Circle’ on July 7. He is not worried about competition from new-age directors and claims OTTs have expanded the market in an interview with BVS Prakash of Deccan Chronicle.
What is your next film ‘Circle’ all about?
I would describe it as an emotional thriller which marks the face-off between protagonist (Sai Ronak) and antagonist (Baba Bhaskar) and how love, fate and death gets intervened into their lives. It will be a roller coaster ride for the viewers. I thank my producers for giving me creative freedom which helped me to churn out a good film.
New-age directors are making waves? Aren’t you worried about competing with them?
Firstly, I am very happy that young directors are exploring new ideas and techniques to make Telugu cinema more interesting and exciting. I was never in this rate race so the point of competition doesn’t arise. I have followed my own path of doing content-driven films like ‘Missamma’, 'Mr Medhavi’ and “Maaya’ and following the same track.
Do you admit that OTT platforms have reduced footfalls in theatres?
No doubt OTT platforms are easy tools to watch and enjoy movies but theatres will survive since people haven’t given up the idea of walking into theatres to watch a movie along with other movie buffs. Many recent hits have proved that theatrical collections are still alive and kicking but only films with ‘good content’ are scoring big. Whereas, OTTs have opened up opportunities for many makers and good time for creative thinkers.
Do you think you should have done more commercial films over content-based stuff?
I have no such regrets because content-based films have their own place and people still remember films like “Missamma’ and 'Mr Medhavi'. I didn’t get an opportunity to work with big stars, although some offers came closer, but my friends say that my stories were ahead of their times and my time has come only now. Let's wait and see.
