In the world of Telugu cinema, a peculiar trend is emerging – heroes, who have been facing a string of flops, are boldly demanding huge remunerations. This has become a cause for concern among producers as the industry is already grappling with financial challenges.
Take, for instance, a hero who hasn’t tasted success in the last three to four years. Despite a series of flops, the hero is now demanding a staggering 10 crores as remuneration for an upcoming project. What adds to the dilemma is the lack of a substantial theatrical market for this particular hero.
In a typical scenario, with a 20 crores production budget, including the director’s and other cast members’ remuneration, the total expenditure reaches an astronomical 40 crores. The question that looms large is how such an investment can be recovered, especially considering the dwindling market conditions.
The disconnect between the heroes and the ground reality is making heads turn. Even in the face of a struggling market, these heroes continue to quote whopping figures. Not only established stars but even lesser-known heroes are demanding no less than five crores for their dates.
As both the non-theatre and theatre markets face challenges, the industry is witnessing an unsettling scenario where numerous mid and small-range heroes might find themselves without projects by the end of 2024. It becomes imperative for these actors to reassess their remuneration demands and align them with the current market dynamics for the sustainability of the Telugu film industry.
