Small and medium budget Telugu films are gearing up for theatrical release, while many big budget and star-led films have either postponed their release to 2022 or are contemplating digital premiere.
Finalizing theatrical release dates or streaming dates for digital platforms for new Telugu movies is like playing a musical chair. The dates are announced and then later reworked due to several factors – such as competing films, the potential for revenue from US markets and other states in India, and ticket price restrictions in Andhra Pradesh. Some small and medium budget movies like Raja Raja Chora, Sridevi Soda Centre, Thimarusu, Sr Kalyanmandapam And Mad managed to garner attention, but a blockbuster-like uppen Or caste ratnalu The reopening of cinemas on July 30, after a second wave of COVID-19, is proving elusive.
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Where are the star movies?
Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi in ’Love Story’
Trade circles pinned their hopes on director Shiv Nirvana Tuck Jagdish Nani, starring Ritu Varma and Aishwarya Rajesh and directed by Shekhar Kammula love story Starring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi, which was scheduled to release in the summer.
love story In view of the Ganesh Chaturthi weekend, its theatrical release date was announced as September 10. However, with the producers of Tuck Jagdish Opting for a digital release (Amazon Prime Video) on September 10, the makers of love story Now looking for a new release date, citing “unavoidable reasons” in a press statement.
Director Sampath Nandy sithimarri Starring Gopichand and Tamannaah, which had earlier announced September 3 as the release date, will now come on September 10 for the festive weekend.
OTT Vs. Theater
OTT Vs. The theater debate reached a climax when the producers of Tuck Jagdish Opted for a digital release. Actor Nani, who had batted for a theatrical release, said in a statement that in view of the uncertainties such as restrictions in cinemas in Andhra Pradesh and abroad, his interest in watching his film in theaters and the problems faced by his producers Torn between the pressures. He said that he will abide by the decision of the makers.
movie calendar
- September 3: Dear Megha, 101 Jilala Andagadu
- September 10: Tuck Jagdish (Amazon Prime Video), Net (Zee5) and sithimarri
- September 17: artist (Disney+Hotstar)
- October 1: Republic
- 8 October: Kondapolam, Most Eligible Bachelor
- 14 October: Mahasamudram
- love story (to be announced)
Some other producers and exhibitors were quick to criticize the decision to take the digital route, but Shine Screen producers Sahu Garapati and Harish Peddi said, “The film was completed in December (2020) last year. We had planned to release it for the summer but the second wave of COVID-19 made things difficult. Even after the second wave, the situation remained uncertain due to lack of control over various issues. Moreover, in this digital age it is not easy to keep the content safe for so long. With much ambiguity about when things will return to normal, we approached Nani and convinced her for a non-theatrical release. “
A befitting reply to cinemas
When theaters opened after the first wave of COVID-19 in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in late December 2020, there was a festive atmosphere. During Sankranti 2021, the crowd gradually started increasing and the success of uppen And caste ratnalu February and March brought excitement. Pawan Kalyan-starrer lawyer saab, which released in April when the second wave was well underway, also saw halls filled.
However, the audience’s response to the movies released in theaters after the second wave has been comparatively weak. Fear of an imminent third wave and a lack of star-led films have been cited as reasons.
While Telangana allows 100% seating in cinema halls, theaters in Andhra Pradesh allow 50% seating and the ticket slabs are decided by the state government. GO MS No. 35 dated April 8, 2021, the ticket prices have been fixed on the basis of location and facilities to be offered. In rural areas, tickets cost as little as ₹5 to ₹25.
This pricing in rural areas has been cited as restrictive by film exhibitors, producers and distributors. Industry insiders say it is difficult for big budget films to recover their costs. Also, theaters are just beginning to open in other states of India.
direct digital release
Nitin and Nabha Natesh in ‘Ustad’
While some producers and distributors feel that star-led films will bring audiences back to theatres, others are not willing to take the risk.
Venkatesh-starrer narappa They were the first to opt for digital premiere after the second wave. on high heels Tuck Jagdishtelugu remake of Andhadhun Topic artistNithiin, directed by Merlapaka Gandhi and starring Tamannaah Bhatia and Nabha Natesh, is scheduled to premiere on September 17 on Disney+ Hotstar.
Meanwhile all eyes are on Virat Parmi Directed by Venu Udugula and starring Rana Daggubati and Sai Pallavi, it remains to be seen whether the makers will go for a theatrical or digital release.
look at 2022
Ram Charan and NTR in ‘RRR’
big movies like Teacher (Directed by Koratala Shiva and starring Chiranjeevi), Bhimla Nayak (Directed by Sagar Chandra and starring Pawan Kalyan and Rana Daggubati), Radheshyam (directed by Radha Krishna Kumar and starring Prabhas and Pooja Hegde) has postponed its theatrical release to 2022. Pushpa – Uday (Directed by Sukumar and starring Allu Arjun, Fahadh Faasil and Rashmika Mandanna) is scheduled for a Christmas 2021 release.
Meanwhile, SS Rajamouli’s pan-India film RRR The Dussehra which was supposed to hit the theaters during 2021 is also showing in 2022. RRR A few other films have planned their release dates in October 2021, most notably director Krish. kondapolam Starring Panja Vaishnav Tej and Rakul Preet Singh, director Bhaskar’s Most Eligible Bachelor Starring Akhil Akkineni and directed by Pooja Hegde, Devkatta Republic Starring Sai Dharam Tej, and directed by Ajay Bhupathi Maha Samudram Starring Siddharth and Sharwanand.
The film industry is hopeful that the coming third wave will not further dampen the enthusiasm of audiences to return to theaters and by 2022, and life will be back to normal.
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