Producer C Kalyan of CK Entertainments is one of the senior most film personalities. In this birthday interview, he talks about his dream to produce another movie with Nandamuri Balakrishna, the success of 'Akhanda' amid tough times, the unresolved issues plaguing the Telugu film industry, his future film projects, and a theme park that he is building in Chennai.
Excerpts:
Since I have had a strong bonding with the media, I decided to meet them on the eve of my birthday.
The government has taken a certain decision with respect to ticket prices (in Andhra Pradesh). The void left by Late Dasari Narayana Rao garu has been felt in the film industry. With the huge success of 'Akhanda', it has been proven that the audience, if they want to watch a movie, will do it, making rules irrelevant. That said, I sincerely request the Chief Minister to reconsider the ticket rates. It's the producer who brings out a product and it is legitimate on his part to decide its price. Jagan garu knows the film business. As a producer, I don't want any decision to be taken that ails cinema.
'Akhanda' could be released in theatres only because producer Miryala Ravinder Reddy gave distributors discounts. The lack of benefit shows and other norms must have hit the revenues hard. Hats off to the producer for going ahead with the release despite the stumbling blocks.
The likes of Chiranjeevi garu, Nagarjuna garu and others did request the government to bring in an online ticketing system to ensure transparency. Extra shows were possible before because the government itself encouraged them.
In the old days, the governments used to see the film people as a family. After NTR garu entered politics, groupism took roots. YSR garu was willing to go the extra mile to help out the film industry.
Hyderabad is a home of Tollywood. At the same time, Andhra Pradesh is a distant home. It's not easy for the people here in Hyderabad to constantly be in touch with the government of AP. There is an absence of a leading personality to act as a bridge between the AP government and Tollywood.
I have made dozens of movies. I know the difficulties involved in producing a movie. These days, nobody understands what a small film is about. A small film is supposed to be content-oriented. The likes of Jandhyala knew it. Sekhar Kammula made a film like 'Anand' and secured a hit.
In the old days, the race among producers was not that cut-throat. Today, the situation has changed a lot. The race is about figures. Even producers are not aware of the expenditures spent on a shooting day. It's becoming difficult to keep a tab.
After 'Ruler', I had to team up with Nandamuri Balakrishna garu again. But since he has got a bevy of films lined up, I have not been able to firm up anything. My intention is to produce a movie that is Balakrishna garu's dream project. I am ready for it anytime. He treats me like a family member.
Plans are afoot to release 'Godse' on January 26 next year. I will have another film with its director. Another film with actor Satyadev Kancharana will be there. I am proud of having produced a superb film like 'Godse'. The response to the film is going to be terrific. It deals with everyone's problems. The titular character's characterization will be novel.
Tamil Nadu has given me a gift. I am going to make it official soon. It is a theme park in Chennai.
