Chief Ministers of the Telugu States Should Hold Discussions with Small Producers – Chadalavada Srinivasa Rao

Small producers are very important to the industry – Chadalavada Srinivasa Rao
Small producers are the backbone of the industry

Under the leadership of the Film Critics Association, a Meet the Press program with prominent producer Chadalavada Srinivasa Rao was organized on Sunday at the Somajiguda Press Club. The meeting focused on the current situation and challenges faced by small films in the film industry.
Prominent producer Prasanna Kumar and noted director Ajay Kumar attended the event as chief guests, along with many senior journalists. The event was conducted in a grand manner.

As part of the program, senior journalist Prabhu, the Honorary President of the Film Critics Association, was felicitated by Chadalavada Srinivasa Rao for receiving the Gaddar Award for his book “From Zero to the Peak.”

Following this, senior journalists Uma Maheswara Rao, Mohan Goteti, Bal Reddy, Trade Guide Venkateswara Rao, along with Film Critics Association President Battula J.V. Prasad Rao and Secretary Suresh Kondeti, honored producer Chadalavada Srinivasa Rao with a grand felicitation and presented him with a citation.

Chadalavada Srinivasa Rao’s Speech
Speaking on the occasion, Chadalavada Srinivasa Rao said he was very happy to see journalists attend the event early on a Sunday morning. He congratulated senior journalist Prabhu on receiving the Gaddar Award and said the award had gone to the right person.

He recalled that when he first went to Madras, there were many respected personalities in the industry such as Uma, Mikkilineni Jagadeesh Babu, B.A. Raju, B.A. Jaya, Pasupuleti Ramarao, and Trade Guide Venkateswara Rao. He said that Uma used to call him like a younger brother and encouraged him in many good works. Because of this association, he has a close bond with Prabhu as well.

He added that Prabhu has become someone journalists can depend on at any time, even late at night, whenever they face difficulties. While Dasari Narayana Rao helped many in the industry during his time, today Prabhu stands as a support system for journalists. He wished Prabhu good health and a long life to continue helping others and congratulated him once again on receiving the award.

He also invited journalists to ask questions openly and assured them he would answer them honestly.

Question & Answer Session

What kind of support should the government provide for small films?
Digital content providers in other states charge ₹3,000–₹4,000 per film, but here companies like Qube and UFO charge up to ₹10,000. If a small producer releases a film in 100 theaters, nearly ₹10 lakh goes just for this. What is your opinion?
Answer:
He said small films need the support of the film industry itself more than government support. Support from the Film Chamber and Producers Council is also very important.

A small film, he said, is like a seed for a tree. Just as a tree cannot grow without a seed, the film industry cannot grow without small films. Many stars such as Chiranjeevi, Jr. NTR, and Vijay Deverakonda began their careers through small films. Even great directors like S.S. Rajamouli, K.

Raghavendra Rao, K. Kodandarami Reddy, and Dasari Narayana Rao started with small films.

He said if small films survive, the industry will flourish. He recalled that during N. Chandrababu Naidu’s tenure, subsidies were given to small films. He suggested that the two Telugu state governments should form a joint committee to encourage small producers.

The Film Chamber recently decided that films should release on OTT only after eight weeks of theatrical release. How will this affect small films?
Answer:
He said producing a small film is possible, but keeping it alive is becoming difficult. The biggest challenge is getting theatrical releases. Earlier, theaters used to attract large crowds, but now audiences are decreasing because of too many film releases.
High food prices in theaters also discourage audiences. Due to these factors, small producers are facing losses. He said the government should revise policies to help the industry.

You once said producers no longer have value and that heroes and directors do not respect producers. Why have producers become like cash banks?

Answer:
He said that a proper producer will never surrender to anyone. Often the mistake lies with producers themselves.
He mentioned that he has made big films earlier with stars like Akkineni Nageswara Rao, N.T. Rama Rao, Shobhan Babu, Krishna, and Krishnam Raju. Today he prefers making small films because the sincerity and honesty that existed in earlier generations are missing now.

There are 24 crafts in the film industry, and each craft has its own association. But some producers formed a separate Guild apart from the Producers Council. This is creating divisions. What are your views?

Answer:
He compared it to two families – a poor family and a rich family. In a poor family, everyone works together, but in a rich family, some members leave after becoming successful.
Similarly, some producers who grew through the industry formed the Guild for business interests. He criticized this culture and called it harmful to the industry. He urged the government not to encourage such divisions.

How do you define a small film? What budget range qualifies as a small film?
Answer:

He said a film can be completed in about 30 days if planned properly. In earlier times, music directors like M.S. Viswanathan, K. Viswanath, and Chakravarthy would complete songs quickly with good quality.

Today, modern systems have reduced quality and increased costs. With proper discipline and planning, a good film can be made within ₹3–₹5 crore, which he considers the range for a small film.

Why have small films reached such a difficult situation today?

Answer:
He said earlier producers used to recover about 90% of their investment, but now that percentage has dropped due to lack of discipline and rising production costs.

Many small films are unable to find theaters. What should producers do in such situations?

Answer:
He suggested building mini theaters. He had earlier proposed constructing mini theaters with capacities between 50 and 200 seats in communities and local areas. Such theaters would allow small films to release and encourage new stories and filmmakers.
Speech by Senior Journalist Prabhu
Senior journalist and Gaddar Award recipient Prabhu thanked Chadalavada Srinivasa Rao for his generosity and support, which brought many people together for the event.

He said he has received many honors since his first felicitation on August 11, 1993, at Ravindra Bharathi, presented by then Chief Minister Kotla Vijayabhaskar Reddy. Over the years he has received several awards including the Nandi Award and the Rajiv Ratna Award.
He expressed happiness that the Gaddar Award recognized his efforts. However, he mentioned concerns that awards meant for film journalists sometimes go to people who are not actively working in the field. He suggested that such awards should primarily go to professional film journalists.

Other Speakers

Senior journalist Mohan Goteti said the Film Critics Association is a prestigious organization and everyone should work together to take it forward. He appreciated inviting Chadalavada Srinivasa Rao to the event.

Association President J.V. Battula Prasad Rao said the situation of small producers has become critical. He said protecting small producers is essential because small films provide employment to many workers in the industry.

Secretary Suresh Kondeti thanked everyone who contributed to organizing the event successfully. He also announced that the association is preparing to conduct more programs soon and will celebrate its Diamond Jubilee in the near future.

He thanked all the attendees for their presence.

If you want, I can also shorten this into a professional press release version (media-friendly English) which is usually used for news portals and newspapers.