Why is Megastar Chiranjeevi no longer doing story-based, emotional dramas such as Apadbhandavudu, Rudraveena, Challenge, and Swayam Krushi? As per him, he is trapped.
Speaking at a movie event on Friday, Chiru shared that he has been stuck with the "commercial" movie template. "In the initial days of my career, I would dare to play even anti-hero characters," he added.
After he made a comeback to movies in 2017 with Khaidi No. 150, many hoped that he would be making daring attempts like no one else. Sye Raa was a hagiographical biopic of a freedom fighter and that was somewhat of an exception. Even there, the focus was on swag and cinematic experience rather than reflection and social commentary. Films like Waltair Veerayya and the up-and-coming Kaaka are purely commercial in nature. Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu was as commercial as it could get.
Telugu cinema has long entered a money-centric zone. Gone are the days when ideas used to be discussed for the sake of it. Writers and filmmakers used to read literature; these days, they envy Jabardasth skits and the enormous bloodshed in the movies of the Prashanth Neel-Lokesh Kanagaraj duo. Superstars want to make nothing less than Rs 50 Cr per movie. Anything less than that, they think they are falling behind a Prabhas, an Allu Arjun. They believe this is the best time to make use of the thirst of the audience for instant gratification.
