Akkineni Nagarjuna and young producer Dheeraj Mogilineni have highlighted the challenges faced by small-budget films as release-date uncertainty and last-minute changes in big-ticket projects disrupt theatrical plans, forcing smaller producers to spend more on marketing and distribution.

Nagarjuna recently expressed his displeasure over the lack of clarity in release planning while presenting the small film Itlu Arjun. The film was initially scheduled to hit theatres on October 2 but was postponed to October 30 amid changes in the release plans of other projects. His remarks triggered speculation about whether he was indirectly referring to Venkatesh’s upcoming film, though he did not name any project.

The issue has resurfaced following the postponement of Adarsha Kutumbam, starring Venkatesh and directed by Trivikram Srinivas. Produced by Naga Vamsi, the film was initially scheduled for October 2, then moved to October 9 and subsequently to October 30. The changes have affected other releases, including Dheeraj’s Summer Holidays, which was planned for October 30 but has now been pushed to November 6.

Speaking at an event, Dheeraj explained how such uncertainty hits smaller producers disproportionately. “A film like Adarsha Kutumbam, carrying the names Venkatesh and Trivikram, can pull crowds to theatres even if its release date is announced just four days before the release. But it is never the case with small films,” he said.

Dheeraj added that he had already invested heavily in marketing and spoken to distributors to secure a good release for Summer Holidays. The postponement has forced him to reschedule the film and prepare for another round of promotional expenses, potentially requiring him to take a loan. Despite the challenges, he is ready to compete with Ramayana on November 6, saying competition has become inevitable.

The producer also urged the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments to reconsider issuing GOs permitting ticket-price hikes for big films. He argued that higher ticket prices could encourage theatres to prioritise big-budget productions, leaving smaller films struggling to secure screens.

Summing up the argument, producer Lagadapati Sridhar says, "Definitely, small films need more support from the industry as they are 80% of the films made in Tollywood and I am also against ticket hikes," he concludes

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