Director Anil Ravipudi Advocates for Balance in Film Industry Amid Prabhas' The Raja Saab Failure
In the wake of the box office disappointment of Prabhas' highly anticipated film The Raja Saab, acclaimed director Anil Ravipudi has issued a compelling call to action for pan-India stars. Ravipudi, the creative force behind the Sankranti hit Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, argues that the current trend of chasing pan-Indian glory is harming regional cinema and single-screen theatres, urging a return to smaller, more rooted films.
The Stark Contrast Between Two Telugu Releases
The recent Sankranti season highlighted a dramatic divide in the Telugu film industry. On one hand, The Raja Saab, touted as the biggest Telugu release of the year with an estimated budget of Rs 450 crore, opened with over 5,000 shows nationwide. However, by its 15th day, domestic collections had stagnated at a mere Rs 143 crore, marking it as a significant financial letdown. In stark contrast, Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, made on a modest production budget of Rs 28 crore and aimed squarely at Telugu audiences, went on to collect an impressive Rs 300 crore globally.
Ravipudi's Critique of Pan-India Obsession
Speaking to Great Andhra, Ravipudi observed that the pan-India market has expanded dramatically, with budgets soaring to Rs 1,000-2,000 crore. He noted, "Heroes now have global exposure, and that creates a dilemma when it comes to doing smaller films after appearing in a large pan-India project." He added that inflated budgets and heightened visual standards further complicate decision-making, making stars hesitant to return to regional cinema.
Ravipudi believes the solution lies in striking a balance. "If these stars take the risk of returning to smaller films and strike a balance by doing both pan-India and regional cinema, the bubble around pan-India status will burst. The question is, who will burst it first?" He argued that such a move could revitalize the industry's health, preventing the current pattern where all top stars release films in January, followed by a six-month dry spell that forces single-screen theatres to shut down.
Industry Echoes and Financial Realities
Veteran filmmaker Thammareddy Bharadwaja echoed similar concerns, revealing that The Raja Saab was originally conceived as a small, charming Telugu project. He stated, "As the project progressed, they started reworking it as a pan-India film. Nearly two years were spent on reshoots and changes, drifting away from the original story." Bharadwaja highlighted that had the budget been restricted to Rs 100 crore, the film could have been profitable, instead of becoming a cautionary tale.
The box office numbers further underscore this argument. On its 15th day, The Raja Saab earned just Rs 22 lakh across nearly 400 shows, a steep decline from its opening. Meanwhile, Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu continued to perform strongly, earning Rs 2.6 crore on its 12th day with around 1,500 shows.
Ravipudi's Openness and Personal Stance
When asked about collaborating with pan-India stars, Ravipudi clarified that he holds no reservations. "I don't have anything against them. I would be happy to work with them at a regional level. If they approach me and give me a slot, I will adapt the story and execute it." However, on his own aspirations for global filmmaking, he was candid: "I have no idea. I am very happy with my current success making films for Telugu audiences. If my content organically becomes global, that's different, but I won't plan it."
This discussion comes at a critical juncture for Indian cinema, as the industry grapples with the balance between ambition and authenticity. Ravipudi's insights highlight the urgent need for a course correction to ensure the sustainability of regional film ecosystems and the survival of single-screen theatres across the country.
