Producer Venkat Boyanapalli says that 'Saindhav' has emotional scenes that will make the audience tear up. "It is impossible not to cry while watching this movie," he asserts, describing the Venkatesh-starrer as a family-friendly action drama.
Co-starring Shraddha Srinath, Baby Sara, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and others, the film will head to the theatres on January 13.
It's not like the situation isn't challenging for 'Saindhav' in terms of release this Sankranthi. Struggles are par for the course. I faced challenges with 'Shyam Singha Roy' as well. Overcoming the hurdles makes you stronger. As for the number of screens in which 'Saindhav' is going to be released, the final number can't be articulated at this point in time. We are in a comfortable position. That's all I can say for now.
I am happy that Ravi Teja garu agreed to vacate the Sankranthi space by postponing 'Eagle'. He is a large-hearted person. Not all screens that have been freed up by its postponement will go to 'Saindhav'. Other Sankranthi titles will also get their share.
Those who distributed 'Shyam Singha Roy' are distributing 'Saindhav'. I haven't approached Suresh Distributions to request them to allot theatres in their territories. Dil Raju garu is releasing our movie in Nizam and Vizag. I have entrusted 'Saindhav' with those who are strong distributors.
We are releasing 'Saindhav' in Telugu and Tamil simultaneously. We will plan a Hindi release later. The focus of our movie's marketing campaign has been on Telugu. The casting is language-neutral anyways. Pan-Indian films need about Rs 5 Cr for publicity. It's not always wise to spend that much. The dynamics have changed over the past 2-3 years.
I have always wanted to work with Venkatesh garu and Nani. I couldn't materialize their combination, though. But I have got to work with them separately. Director Sailesh Kolanu's style impressed me when 'HIT' was out. I got the hero and the director to have a meeting with each other. Venkatesh garu was thoroughly impressed with Kolanu's narration style. He took the call to work with Kolanu within 24 hours. That was quick!
'Saindhav' was always supposed to be a highly expensive movie. We knew that from Day 1. The budget hasn't been a headache. Both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video vied to buy our film for a post-theatrical digital release. Right from the beginning, our film has been wanted by the OTT platforms. We sold the rights to Prime in the end.
Each producer has a certain style. I prefer working with my favourites. My next film might not be released until the next year. Setting up projects is not easy. Many things have to fall into place. The hero and the director have to gel with the producer. I am not the kind who keeps giving advances to directors/actors. I am choosy.
A producer has to understand the changing realities of the market. Without that awareness, it's not easy to thrive here. For example, the OTT situation changed last year (in terms of OTT deals becoming weaker).
