The upcoming Telugu Sankranti season promises fireworks, not just on screen but also behind the scenes as two films, Mahesh Babu’s ‘Guntur Karam’ and Prasanth Varma’s ‘Hanu-Man’, lock horns for theater space. While the clash offers audiences diverse cinematic experiences, it has sparked a passionate debate about fair theater allocation and the challenges faced by smaller productions against established star power.
‘Guntur Karam’, a commercial action film headlined by superstar Mahesh Babu, naturally commands significant interest and is expected to grab a large chunk of theaters. However, ‘Hanu-Man’, a visually stunning superhero flick with a promising young cast, refuses to concede defeat.
Producer Niranjan Reddy, spearheading ‘Hanu-Man’, argues against the potential monopoly of single-screen theaters by ‘Guntur Karam’. He demands a fair share of screens, emphasizing the healthy competition and audience choice based on content merit. His request for 15-20 theaters, while modest considering the total pool, highlights the struggle faced by smaller films in securing optimal screen space.
The issue extends beyond single screens. Reddy acknowledges the demand-based allocation in multiplexes but points out the challenges faced by ‘Hanu-Man’ due to competing Hindi releases. This raises concerns about the limited flexibility offered to smaller films struggling to navigate complex release calendars.
Despite the hurdles, Reddy exudes confidence in his film’s content and box office potential. He believes that audiences will ultimately embrace ‘Hanu-Man’s’ unique offering, even if it takes a few days to overcome the initial disadvantage. His ambitious claim of a 5-6 week run and “ten Sankrantis on a trot” reflects the fighting spirit of the team determined to prove their mettle.
The coming days will be crucial as theater owners, distributors, and both film teams negotiate this cinematic tug-of-war. The outcome will not only determine the fate of ‘Guntur Karam’ and ‘Hanu-Man’ but also set a precedent for how the Telugu film industry handles theatrical competition in the highly anticipated Sankranti season.
