There Is No Big or Small Film, Says Ravi Shankar Yellamanchili
He revealed that he and producer Dil Raju have together distributed over 70 small films in the last year
Members of the Progressive Panel addressed the media and assured producers of their full support to encourage more film productions. Ravi Shankar Yellamanchili of Mythri Movie Makers said that the distinction between big and small producers does not hold relevance anymore.
“There are no big or small producers,” Ravi Shankar said. “If a big film flops, it becomes a small film. If a small film succeeds like Little Hearts, it becomes a big film. So these divisions don’t hold water.”
He revealed that he and producer Dil Raju have together distributed over 70 small films in the last year. “We regularly watch films made by small producers and help them in more ways than one. We ensure their release in theatres, which is otherwise difficult for many,” he pointed out.
Ravi Shankar stated that members of the Progressive Panel are not contesting elections for positions or power. “We have no interest in posts. We are contesting only to protect the interests of the film industry. We don’t want to rule over anyone, but there is a lot of work to be done to revive the industry and help producers make more films,” he added.
He further said that both the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments have been supportive of the industry. “With the right people at the helm, things will become much easier,” he said.
Another producer and current vice-president of the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce, Ashok Kumar, criticised the rival Mana Panel. “I don’t think members of the Mana Panel have made films in the last five years. They are only giving false hopes,” he alleged, accusing them of indulging in ‘vote bank’ politics.
Producer Damodara Prasad said the Progressive Panel had planned to fix a 25 percent lesser wage structure for small films. “We didn’t get the time to implement it,” he said. He also accused rival panel members of discouraging new producers from entering the industry by citing various problems. “This is unfair. Every individual has the right to make their own decisions,” he added.
The elections for the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce are scheduled to be held on December 28.
