Prime Minister Modi has urged citizens to adopt pandemic-era habits. He suggested working from home and using online classes. This appeal stems from the ongoing West Asia energy crisis and rising fuel prices.
However, these suggestions have triggered fears of a partial lockdown. Many people remember the strict restrictions from 2020. This uncertainty is causing major stress in the film industry. Tollywood has a heavy schedule with massive investments at stake.
Peddi is particularly vulnerable. Starring Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor, it is a high-budget project with hundreds of crores at stake. The movie is scheduled for a grand worldwide release on June 4. Rumors of restricted movement could hurt advance bookings and theater attendance.
Producers fear that even a voluntary shift to remote work will keep audiences home. Big-budget films rely on packed theaters for recovery. Any drop in footfall would be a huge blow to the trade.
In June and July, Maa Inti Bangaram, Lenin, EPIC, Rao Bahadur, and Naga Bandham, among others, are scheduled to be released. Modi's appeals, which are coming out of the blue, should worry all stakeholders in these movies.
