Tollywood blamed for piracy

The call to shut down the Telugu film industry by actors, filmmakers, script writers and technicians pledging to fight video piracy, has highlighted their demand that the government pass stricter laws to fight a menace eating into their profit. But city movie buffs say that the main cause of video piracy is the high cost of movie tickets and late release of DVDs in the market.Actors Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, NTR, Bhumika Chawla, Navdeep, Ram, Allu Arjun, Naga Chaitanya have pledged their support to producer Yalamanchili Ravichand who is on a hunger strike. They have demanded the government clamp down on piracy.

Fans, however, say the film industry should do its bit to address the real cause for piracy.“I don’t support piracy at all and prefer to watch the movie in a theatre. But the onus on the industry is to reduce the cost of watching a movie in the theatre. Many people can’t afford to watch a film in theatres given the ticket price. If they reduce the price, people will not buy pirated CDs anymore says Siddharth Manohar, a movie buff and working professional.

Surpiya Jagarlamudi, a student of mass communication, says it is amusing to watch stars like NTR and Nagarjuna fight to ‘save the film industry’ while charging sky high remunerations. “These actors make one movie once every two or three years charging hefty amounts. They don’t compromise on that. They should fight to reduce movie ticket prices,” she says.However, film personalities say it is not viable for theatres to slash ticket prices.

“The ticket prices in theatres were Rs 20 a decade ago. Now the highest price in stand-alone theatres is Rs 50. The average income has gone up at least four times in the last decade but theatres only doubled the prices. The cost of producing a film has increased and ticket prices are reasonable given increasing maintenance cost,” defends Thammareddy Bharadwaja, member Telugu film producers’ council. He says nothing can justify piracy. “We provide entertainment at the most reasonable price.”

However, filmmakers acknowledge releasing DVDs earlier and at a lower cost could reduce piracy. Suresh Babu, a senior producer who runs several theatres in the state, says filmmakers are keen to release movie DVDs early at a lower cost. “But pirated CDs are released at even lower costs. We have a list of pirated CD makers and sellers in the city against whom several cases are booked,” he said. If the government arrests them immediately, filmmakers could release movie DVDs by the third or fourth week after movies hit the screen, says Suresh.

"Tollywood will remain my priority" Samantha

In an industry where directors try and launch a fresh face with every new film, 22-year-old Samantha’s impressive debut, Yem Maya Chesave has already garnered her an enthusiastic fan following and two film deals. But, she knows sustaining her success will be a challenge.

“I don’t plan for the future. I am very pessimistic and don’t want to be disappointed if my plans don’t materialise. For now my career is fine and I’m getting meaty roles. I plan to sign only those films that offer me a character I can relate to,” asserts the actress who recently signed a film with NTR Jr. and Mahesh Babu after her critically acclaimed act in YMC.
Samantha wants to meticulously craft a career that ensures a long on-screen innings in Tollywood.

She reportedly turned down an offer to act with Ram Charan Tej citing lack of dates. While most heroines are confined to glam-doll roles, she has a ‘checklist’ before she green lights a project — the script, the director’s potential, her character and the scope for performance. “It is the director who makes superstars. I didn’t even know how to carry off a sari. Gautam Menon gave me that confidence. The director’s potential is of key importance.”
But acting was never the first choice for this B.Com graduate from Chennai. “I always wanted to get into business and was interested in shares and stocks.” It was the chance to meet her favourite director that got her hurtling on the path to stardom, “I am a fan of Gautam Menon. I went for the audition just to see him. I never thought I’d be selected.”

Despite her Tamil debut, Banakathadi slated to release, Samantha is clear that Tollywood will always be her priority, “Telugu audiences have liked me. I owe a lot to these fans and it is my responsibility to act in this industry. Besides, Tollywood here is more chilled out and professional compared to the workaholic Tamil industry. I have fallen in love with Hyderabad. T’wood will be my priority.”

From the girl-next-door to overnight stardom, it’s been a daunting leap and Samantha frowns on rumours of her diva behaviour, “Since the success of my film YMC, there are a lot of expectations from me to sustain that success. Personally, I have not changed after I’ve become a star but I find it difficult to understand the things that come with stardom. Some people judge me, write things, twist words and change the meaning of what I’ve said. I am yet to understand why,” says the rising star who relies on her friends to keep her grounded.