Producers Guild Strong Counter To Theatres Association

For the past few days, an unwanted controversy unfolded between the Theatres Owners Association and the producers of Tuck Jagadish. The remarks and the tone of some film exhibitors at a media interaction snowballed into a major issue as it directly hit the hero Nani and producers of Tuck Jagadish.

Though the Theatres Owners Association quickly responded and apologized for its behavior and words, this issue was taken quite seriously by the Producers Guild who came forward in support of producers of Tuck Jagadish and its film’s lead actor Nani.

In a long and detailed press statement, Producers Guild condemned the statements of the film exhibitors against Nani and producers Sahu Garapati and Harish Peddi. “We, The Active Telugu Film Producers’ Guild strongly condemn the statements made by various people in the presence of officer bearers of the Associations insulting other members of our Film Fraternity.”

The Guild opined that producers have a full say and control over their product and they have full right to release their movie on whichever platform they would like to depending on the conditions.

“We reiterate that it is first a Producer who starts the process of making a film. The foundation of the film is laid by the Producer along with Artists/Technicians. Our principal partners in the exhibition and exploitation of the film have always been theatres. With the entry of satellite TVs earlier and various digital platforms now, a Producer recuperates his investment through all these avenues. It is the right of a Producer to decide when and what he chooses to do with his film.”

Finding fault with the verbal attack on Nani and Tuck Jagadish producers, the Guild said, “To personally attack a Producer and an Artist on a public platform because they choose to release their film on a digital platform is neither correct nor acceptable. It is the sole and vested right of the Producer to do whatsoever he wishes with his film. The Telugu film Industry has a large number of marketable artists and this has made our Industry thrive. Singularly targeting one artist by any sector damages the healthy eco- system prevailing in our Industry. Producers/Artistes/Technicians should not be singled out or arm twisted by any one sector.”

The Guild asked the Exhibitors to help producers in these tested times and asked not to dictate or threaten any individual sector. “We have on various occasions appealed to Exhibitors to help producers address the various issues faced by the Industry. Exhibitors have taken a high handed approach and have not helped address the concerns of Producers. Today, exhibitors are interested only in high demand films. Mid to small range films do not get their due and remain neglected. Most films are ten to recuperate their investment from the other sources. The Guild reiterates that a Producer’s survival cannot be dictated / threatened by any individual sector.”

“We point out that our Industry is interdependent and built along with Distributors, Exhibitors and our various business partners. We have all suffered individually and jointly due to the Covid pandemic. We understand that all sectors are facing difficulties and we sympathise with them and expect reciprocal support. We believe that it is time all stakeholders come together to find amicable, time bound solutions for the various issues we face at the earliest. We need to work together for the betterment of the Telugu Film Industry.”