Lucky Media's Bekkem Venugopal is looking forward to announcing big-budget movies soon. In this birthday interview, the producer of films like 'Cinema Choopistha Mava', 'Husharu' and 'Prema Ishq Kaadhal' says that he makes films only for the audience. "The audience have always supported my movies regardless of who are the cast members," he says, adding that the viewers trust his judgement.
He also reveals his plans in this interview, besides speaking some home truths.
My first film was released in October 2006. It has been 16 years since I debuted as a producer. 'Tata Birla Madhyalo Laila' was my debut film and it was a blockbuster. The film was a festival for all stakeholders. I have not invested in any other business. Right since 2006, I have been focusing on cinema alone. I have produced 12 films directly, while 4-5 other films came with my backing.
I once witnessed Superstar Krishna garu shooting for a movie. I am a fan of his. I started out in the camera department and then became a manager. I am currently producing a handful of films, which are in different stages of production.
I am passionate about making films that matter and that will make me proud. I keep searching for stories that can make it possible. I owe my success to the stories I have picked. I didn't think of making a big-scale movie until a couple of years ago. I am planning to make two big-scale movies. I want to give career-best films to a couple of heroes. Two big-range stories have been greenlit.
I got to work with Dil Raju garu on 'Nenu Local' with my 'Cinema Choopistha Mava' team. I then made 'Husharu' with new talents. Both films gave me excitement. 'Husharu' was a wonder; it became a hit without a star face. It was nothing less than a miracle. It was a huge achievement for me. I did 'Prema Ishq Kadhal' with new talents. It was a hit as well.
No film gets completed without a hundred quarrels and differences with others. A producer must tackle multiple issues effectively and see his film through.
'Alluri' didn't work last year. Its budget was high. The interval block was shot for 12 days. All commercial decisions were taken by me. The director worked on the project for 2 years with passion. We all expected 'Alluri' to click. Vishwak Sen is like family. 'Paagal' was an important film for me.
Only those films that click in theatres have a future. Theatrical hits get real support from OTT platforms. The attractiveness of streaming giants made many producers launch projects like crazy after the pandemic. How many films can OTT platforms practically buy? There is a supply glut now. As a result, producers are trying to arrive at desperate deals with OTT platforms, pleading with them to pay on a per-minute viewing basis or something like that.
I have known Karthik Dandu of 'Virupaksha' fame for years. He is enjoying his current spell of success. If he wants to work with me, I am ready to bankroll his project. His narration skills are awesome. He narrated a story to me seven years back.
'Roti, Kapda, Romance' is among my upcoming movies. It belongs to a genre not many are doing these days. They are making mass movies, family dramas and all. How many are doing youthful entertainers these days?
I have no desire to wield the megaphone. As for acting, I can do it for publicity. There are no better actors than producers (laughs).
A question no producer should be asked is this: "How much have you made or lost in your career?" Experience is the greatest earning here. Money is important but experience counts even more.
The condition of any producer is critical. There is a paucity of talent everywhere. Experienced producers have a success rate of 50%. Inexperienced producers have a success rate of hardly 1 or 2%. Every year, a new set of producers enter the film industry. Most producers don't last even a year here.
Producers who make movies on the basis of a story have come scarce. Almost all producers are after 'combination projects'. They pay the highest remunerations to heroes/directors to make it happen.
