COVID-19 has changed the entire dynamics of the Telugu Film Industry. OTT Platforms came up with massive offers initially and the producers came up with films left right and center.
Since OTT platforms are covering their majority budgets, they doubled their production films and made the OTT space their dumping yard.
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In Telugu, there is a saying “పెరుగుట విరుగుట కొరకే”
There is a correction in the OTT space and the industry is on the verge of a collapse.
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The Big Producers have decided to stop making medium-budget films going forward.
The less than 10 Crore budget films carry lesser risk. In recent times, the theatrical success of films like AAY, Committee Kurrollu, and Mathu Vadalara 2 induced confidence in the filmmakers.
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At the same time, the Tier-1 heroes do not carry any risk. The Prabhas, NTRs, Mahesh Babus, Ram Charans, and Allu Arjuns despite taking home 100-200 Crore Remunerations, have theatrical and non-theatrical markets intact and do not carry any risk.
The biggest problem is with these medium-range films. The heroes are making big remuneration demands. The OTT, other non-theatrical markets and the Hindi market collapsed completely. The heroes are not understanding the reality.
Hence producers are skeptical about doing these films unless the heroes are ready for profit-sharing.
Mythri Movie Makers is making a film with Ram in the direction of Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty fame Mahesh Babu. Ram has taken 3 Crore Upfront. For his remaining remuneration, he is taking Nizam and Guntur rights.
Mythri is making the film because Ram acted maturely and reduced the risk to the producers.
Dil Raju reduced making films drastically. We have not seen a medium-range film in the banner for a while now.
GA2 Pictures is also treading the same path. They will only make event films or less than 10 Crore budget films going forward.
Sithara Naga Vamsi who used to make films left right center previously is treading carefully these days. The speed is no longer there.
People Media Factory is also facing the heat. Vishwaprasad is talking about course correction. They will fall in line sooner or later.
The Medium-range heroes who will adapt to this new normal will continue to get work. Or they will have to float their own banners and make films.
