Is it a hit or flop? Dil Raju is confused!

Dil Raju spoke in his own style at the success meet of ‘Srinivasa Kalyanam’ held on Monday.  “Our banner has made something like 30 movies in the past 15 years, with a success rate of 75 percent.  Whenever there was a failure, we bounced back with a hit movie.  In 2017, we made 6 hits in a row.  Perhaps, this is a record of sorts in the history of cinema.  A journalist was asking me if I was considering it to be sent to Guinness Book of World Records.  I never think on those lines because I just do my work,” the ace producer said.

Raju said that he is confused now!  “Last month, we released ‘Lover’, which didn’t work.  We came to know its fate on the third day of its release.  It was a clear case.  In the case of ‘Srinivasa Kalyanam’, vibes were great since the beginning.  The entire unit was always very positive about the film.  We were convinced that we have made a great film.  On the day the film released, early reviews were positive.  We heaved a sigh of relief.  With a positive attitude, I and Satish Vegesna went to Prasadz IMAX for the morning show on Day 1.  Eighty percent of the audience loved it is what I thought.  Hours later, negative reviews started pouring in!  I am not finding fault with anybody.  At the end of the day, it’s the audience who have to like a movie,” Raju said.

“Even distributors who have never worked with me have been positive about the movie.  On Day 2, collections were subdued.  On Day 3 and Day 4, family audiences started coming to theatres.  Genuine reports are saying one thing but reviews and comments on social media are saying the opposite!  I am confused!  To really understand the pulse of the audience, we printed feedback cards and sent them to 60 theatres across the Telugu States.  We asked the theatres to distribute these feedback cards to audiences after they are done watching the movie.  Everywhere, 80 percent of them wrote that the film is ‘Very Good’.  After much self-introspection, I can say that we have made a good film.  Despite heavy rains in Andhra Pradesh, matinee and evening shows were highly encouraging over the weekend,” Raju commented.

“We didn’t show the love story in ‘Srinivasa Kalyanam’ elaborately because we didn’t want to compromise on the story.  At least I am happy that family audiences will hopefully bless our film by spreading positive mouth talk.  A good film like this shouldn’t go in vain,” Raju remarked.