Expect no records

The week starting from January 13 is all set to become one of Tollywood’s biggest, this year. A total of four films, starring major names, will release back-to-back and filmmakers are trying to create hype claiming films will generate huge collections at the BO.

That, however, will not be possible this Sankranti. A major reason behind this “collection control” is the fact that all four films releasing during the three days have had to split these theatres between them. There are nearly 1,700 screens in both the Telugu-speaking states. Generally, a big-banner film releases in over 1,000 screens but this time around, only Jr NTR film has that advantage as his, Nannaki Prematho, is coming out first on January 13.

“So, he is going to occupy as many as screens on the first day but will be forced to reduce to half of them from the second day onwards,” says a source.

The industry has even put in place a group to implement theatre control but the pressure from producers has been so immense, the committee itself is now defunct. Sources claim a few top producers chose to completely ignore the committee’s recommendations and preferred releasing on their own.

“We are trying to control screenings and give everyone equal opportunity. Jr NTR’s film is releasing in nearly 350 screens in the Nizam area on the first day and it will be reduced to 200 to 250 from the second day. Dictator, too, may get around 200 followed by Nagarjuna’s film which will receive around 110 screens. And then Sharwanand will get a margin of 40 to 50 screens in Nizam,” added the source.