Adivi Sesh: Telugu Cinema Thrives Amidst Corporate Apathy
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Key Takeaways
Mumbai, March 25 (NationPress) Actor, director, and writer Adivi Sesh, who is preparing for the debut of his forthcoming film ‘Dacoit’, has shared insights on the resilience of Telugu cinema.
In an interview with IANS during the promotional campaign for his film, he pointed out that, in contrast to many other film industries in India, Telugu cinema retains a profound emotional essence as it remains largely unaffected by corporate influence.
When queried about what distinguishes Telugu cinema from its counterparts in India, he remarked, “I believe it is the sense of emotional ownership. Let me elaborate. Telugu cinema continues to be produced by individual financiers. Some might have put their house on the line to fund a film, others might have sold land, while some successful real estate investors or doctors venture into film production. Regardless of their background, these individuals are the ones behind our INR 300, 400, 500 crore projects.”
He further emphasized that Telugu films are not typically produced by studios. He reminisced about a disagreement with a studio employee regarding the significance of a particular topic. He explained, “I asked him, ‘Why can’t you understand how much this means to me?’ He eventually lost his temper and replied, ‘That’s because we work for a paycheck, Sesh.’ I was taken aback and realized my oversight. This man genuinely intended to contribute positively to the film. He explained that, irrespective of the film's success, his salary remains unchanged, with perhaps a minor bonus at year-end. To be considered for a promotion, he needed to deliver several successful films, which means that without emotional investment, the focus shifts solely to profitability.”
“The absence of such apathy in Telugu cinema is why we can envision projects like ‘Bahubali’, ‘Kalki’, or ‘Pushpa’. It all boils down to individuals risking everything for their passion. That’s the crucial distinction. I dare say, the teams in Mumbai may work even harder. My observations suggest talent is abundant everywhere. However, the experience of working for oneself is markedly different compared to working for someone else,” he concluded.