Puri Jagannadh is yet to come out of the troubles created by his previous films, and now they seem to be affecting his next project, Slumdog: 33 Temple Road. The film has completed shooting, but its release is still uncertain. The financial disputes with distributors over Liger and Double iSmart continue to cast a shadow over Puri’s plans.
Distributors who suffered heavy losses from these films have been seeking compensation for a long time. There is also talk that some of them are considering legal action if the issue is not settled. Every time a release date is discussed for Slumdog, these old disputes are likely to come back into focus. However, there is no confirmed announcement of a fresh legal move against the film.
The OTT business is another concern. Reports suggest that the makers are yet to close the digital deal, adding to the uncertainty around the film’s release. With distributors unhappy and non-theatrical business still not falling into place, getting the film into theatres may not be easy.
Puri Jagannadh has seen some of the biggest hits in Telugu cinema, but his recent films have badly affected his standing in the trade. At this point, Slumdog needs more than a good release date. Puri has to find a way to settle the old disputes and bring distributors back on board.
Otherwise, even if the film is ready, getting it to theatres could become another major challenge. And another delay would only make Puri’s comeback more difficult.
