Star Telugu producer Dil Raju, a prominent figure in Tollywood and a major distributor in the Nizam region, has found himself at the center of a controversy surrounding the allocation of theatres for the upcoming film “Hanu-Man.”
Allegations of Bias and Chiranjeevi’s Comments:
Ahead of the release of “Hanu-Man,” reports surfaced online alleging that Dil Raju, who is also distributing a larger film this Sankranti season, was not providing enough theatres to the smaller production. These claims gained traction when megastar Chiranjeevi, during the pre-release event of “Hanu-Man,” shared an anecdote from 2017. Chiranjeevi recalled how Dil Raju’s smaller film “Shatamanam Bhavati” successfully released alongside his own “Khaidi 150” and Balakrishna’s “Gautamiputra Shatakarni” during the same Sankranti season. However, some media outlets misconstrued Chiranjeevi’s positive statement as a subtle dig at Dil Raju, further fueling the controversy.
Dil Raju’s Strong Response:
The misrepresented reports prompted a direct response from Dil Raju. He clarified that Chiranjeevi’s comments were in fact complimentary towards him, highlighting his past success in releasing smaller films during competitive seasons. However, he expressed disappointment that certain media outlets twisted Chiranjeevi’s words and published misleading articles aimed at creating discord. Dil Raju, known for his reserved nature, stated that he had maintained silence until now but felt compelled to respond to the false narratives being circulated.
Addressing Theatre Allocation:
While acknowledging the allegations regarding theatre allocation, Dil Raju denied any deliberate bias against “Hanu-Man.” He emphasized that he never forces any film to change its release date but instead suggests alternative dates based on market considerations and to avoid unnecessary competition. In the case of “Hanu-Man,” he indicated that he had advised the team to explore other potential release dates considering the presence of several big films during the Sankranti season.
Conclusion:
Dil Raju’s strong response to the controversy surrounding theatre allocation for “Hanu-Man” sheds light on the complex dynamics of film distribution in the Telugu film industry. While competition for screens during peak seasons is inevitable, transparency and fair practices remain crucial for fostering a healthy and supportive environment for all filmmakers, regardless of their budget or scale.
