The Tollywood crisis is real. The entire ecosystem — from producers and production banners to distributors and exhibitors — is genuinely worried. The concern isn’t just about films failing; it’s about the alarming reality that people aren’t even showing up for the very first show of a new release.
If you look at the period post-Sankranti, only two small films have actually worked: Court and Mad Square. Apart from those, the only film that had a somewhat decent run is Thandel. That’s it. Take away those three, and no other film has made any impact since Sankranti.
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Now look at the recent string of disasters: Arjun Son Of Vyjayanthi, Odela 2, Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi, Jack, Robin Hood, Dilruba, Mazaka, Laila — the list just keeps growing. Audiences rejected most of these films from the trailer stage itself.
These production houses and directors couldn’t even cut an engaging trailer to give the audience a reason to step into a theatre. Yet now, the industry is in panic mode, wondering why audiences aren’t showing up.
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As always, the blame game has begun — pointing fingers at OTT platforms streaming films within three weeks, or at reviews that supposedly kill films. But the real question is: did any of these films genuinely deserve the audience’s money? The answer, looking at these titles, is quite clear.
The Telugu film industry already has a success rate of less than 10%. In such a fragile ecosystem, the blame also falls on actors who were expected to deliver — and failed.
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One name that stands out here is Siddu Jonnalagadda.
Why him? Because if Siddu had delivered ‘Jack’ with even half the impact of his previous blockbuster, the industry would have gained some much-needed momentum. His success could have drawn audiences back to theatres, building interest not just for his film but also for others that followed. Instead, his latest outing fell flat on every front. He couldn’t generate even the bare minimum interest to bring audiences to the theatres. Given the expectations on him, he becomes one of the key disappointments in this ongoing crisis.
To an extent, even Vishwak Sen with Laila carries some blame. Had he delivered a successful or even moderately successful film, it could’ve contributed positively. But he, too, dropped the ball.
In an industry with such a low success rate, what keeps the fire alive is a handful of films — and a handful of actors — that draw people in. These are the ones who keep the theatre ecosystem ticking and motivate audiences to come back for the next release.
At this critical juncture, the blame falls on actors like Siddu and Vishwak to deliver — and they didn’t.
On the flip side, all eyes are now on Nani, who is arriving at a crucial moment. If he delivers, the momentum can shift again. A successful film from him could uplift the theatre business, spark audience interest, and create anticipation for upcoming releases.
That’s how this industry works. And in this scenario, Siddu Jonnalagadda definitely deserves some of the blame.
