Prashanth Varma’s highly anticipated film, ‘HanuMan,’ gears up for an extensive pan-India release during the upcoming Sankranthi season. Scheduled strategically to align with the opening of Ayodhya Ramalayam in January, this timing promises a widespread appeal, not just in the South but nationwide.
Despite meticulous planning with an advanced reservation of the Sankranthi-2024 release date, the film encountered unexpected hurdles initiated by two Telugu producers aiming to impede its launch using influence and manipulative tactics.
Reports indicate one producer went as far as obstructing the Hindi censor certification, driven by concerns that ‘HanuMan’ might overshadow his own film slated for the same Sankranthi season release.
Prashanth Varma’s efforts eventually secured the necessary censor certification, overcoming this setback. However, the challenges persisted as another influential producer, also a distributor for three Sankranthi releases, pressured ‘HanuMan’s’ producers to vacate the season for his films.
The experienced producers of other films, having long-term ties with the distributor, proved difficult to sway. Additionally, the ‘HanuMan’ team, being NRIs and newcomers, faced vulnerability to intimidation tactics.
Amidst these struggles, the distributor’s stance reflects a harsh reality in the industry—favoring big-budget productions and established relationships. This incident marks “survival of the fittest,” indicating a skewed system favoring powerful players.
However, the essence of justice in the film industry should not be dictated by power plays. It’s crucial for this producer to understand that beyond producers, there exist audiences, media, and a higher power.
There’s a significant reminder from a film dialogue: “When the powerful oppress the weak – God does not spare the powerful.” Thus, while industry dynamics may seem weighted, acknowledging the larger audience and a higher force is imperative for lasting justice.
