Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has reignited an age-old debate about filmmaking. Shooting with IMAX cameras and on film is widely considered one of the toughest ways to make a movie. Yet, The Odyssey completed its principal shoot in just 91 days. That figure is remarkable, especially when compared to how many Indian films are made today.
In India, it has become increasingly common for even basic social dramas and family entertainers to spend anywhere between six months and a year shooting. Big-budget action spectacles and VFX-heavy films often take two to three years to complete. Yet, many romantic dramas, family entertainers, and college-based stories could realistically complete principal photography in around 50 to 60 days with proper planning.
Post-production is another major issue in India, especially in Tollywood.
Hollywood treats post-production with the same importance as production itself. Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for release in December 2026, reportedly wrapped principal photography in December 2025, giving the team nearly a full year for editing, visual effects, sound design, color grading, and music. The Odyssey, which hit theatres this week, completed filming in August 2025, leaving several months to polish every aspect of the film before release.
In contrast, many Telugu films continue post-production until the final days before release. Editors, VFX artists, colorists, sound designers, and composers like Thaman and Devi Sri Prasad often work against impossible deadlines. In some cases, overseas prints are reportedly dispatched while post-production is still underway, with the domestic version getting just a few extra hours or a day for finishing touches. That kind of last-minute scramble has become an accepted part of the filmmaking process.
Post-production is where a film truly comes together. Editing sharpens the narrative. Visual effects become more convincing. Color grading enhances the visuals. Sound design and background music elevate the emotional impact. None of this can be rushed without affecting the final product. When every department is forced to race against an unchangeable release date, compromises become almost inevitable.
Perhaps it’s time for the Indian film industry to rethink its priorities. Instead of stretching production over several months, filmmakers should aim for more disciplined shooting schedules and dedicate the time saved to post-production. Better planning would give editors, VFX artists, sound designers, and composers the breathing space they need to deliver their best work. In the long run, that would reduce pressure on technicians and result in more polished films and a far better theatrical experience for audiences.
