What is happening with the Sankranthi 2021 releases in Telugu? We are now less than a month away from the festival season, but there seems to be a deafening silence from the makers on their next promotional strategies. It is leading to an absolute lack of buzz around their projects.
Usually, it isn’t much of a problem, but remember we are now looking at the revival of Telugu cinema post the long shut down due to corona. It will require some effort to make the audience come out in numbers (outside the usual cinema loving junta).
As many as six to eight films had announced Sankranthi arrival, previously, but so far only a couple seems to show any inclination regarding promotions. Only they have some buzz going on, currently. The others are at zero.
What we have seen so far is Krack and Red going about their plans to have a Sankranthi release. However, the others like Rang De, Most Eligible Bachelor, Aranya, Uppena etc. are mum in this regard.
As it is, we don’t know how the audience will react to so many movies. And then coming to cinemas with minimal promotions could prove to be more harmful.
Is the lack of promotion a wait and watch policy or are there going to be further shake-ups in releases (read as postponements)? The on-going issue of producers versus the exhibitors (multiplexes and digital service providers) may be a key factor here. It could be that the producers are waiting for a concrete development on that score.
However, it is only going to delay the inevitable as sooner, or later the cinemas all over will be open. If then a movie joins the competition in the last minute, it could be a wrong step. Let’s see what is in the store ahead as the time for sure is ticking fast.
