Directors like Ram Gopal Varma, Puri Jagannadh, Krishna Vamsi, K. Raghavendra Rao and Vamsy, who once created their own mark in the Telugu film industry, are now struggling to find success.
These veteran directors with their old school formula of storytelling are no match for young directors like Sandeep Vanga, Tharun Bhascker, Nag Ashwin, Venky Kudumula and Ravikanth Parepu among others, who are coming up with new ideas. Even the big stars are keen to work with the younger lot, making it perhaps the right time for the older ones to hang up their boots.
RGV who created many trendsetters from his debut film Shiva to Sarkar is struggling today. Even his latest film Officer, starring Nagarjuna, created a ‘new record’ at the box-office by earning zero revenues in the Nizam area.
His protégé Krishna Vamsi, who directed some trendsetters like Gulabi, Ninne Pelladutha and Chandamama made Nakshatram last year, which was the worst film of his career. Similarly, Senior Vamsy who made films like Manchu Pallaki, Ladies Tailor, Anveshana and Avunu Valliddaru Ishtapaddaru seems to have lost his golden touch.
Talking about the debacle of Fashion Designer s/o Ladies Tailor directed by Vamsy, producer Madhura Sridhar says, “That was a big blunder.” He adds, “I still believe in his talent as I like many of his films, but he has completely lost his touch and should probably retire from directing. It’s time to encourage young directors and produce films for them.”
Director Puri Jagannath’s last hit was Temper starring Jr NTR. Since then, all his films have bombed at the box-office. “Varma and Krishna Vamsi made some really good films in the ’90s, but they are offering nothing new. Instead of directing films, they should retire gracefully,”says film critic Jalapathy Gudelli.
Meanwhile, senior director K. Viswanath has almost retired from direction and is focusing on acting after his last few films flopped, but K. Raghavendra Rao is still trying his hand at mythological or devotional films.
“I don’t want to produce a film with RGV, but I will produce a film with his protégé,” says Bekkem Venugopal, adding, “It is time to encourage new talent.” Madhura Sridhar shares that senior directors everywhere do retire gracefully once their career wanes. “Look at Stephen Spielberg who is now producing films instead of directing. Even Karan Johar is concentrating on producing films,” says Madhura Sridhar, adding that our seniors should take a cue from them.
