Nandi urges protesters to watch the movie

Director Narasimha Nandi, who bagged national award for his heart-wrenching movie '1940 Lo Oka Gramam,' is upset with the protests by youth wing leaders in Khammam, Mahbubnagar, Anantapur and few other areas in Telugu states seeking a ban on his latest release 'Degree College' starring newcomers Varun and Sri Divya, which released on Friday last.

"It is very unfortunate that protesters have stopped screening of my movie in theatres on the first two days which affected the collections of my small budget but a theme-centric movie," rues the director, who was disturbed seeing the posters of his film being torn and youngsters creating ruckus at theatres as it if is a sleaze movie.

"Frankly, I am shocked since the film deals with one of the most pressing issues-honour killing- and the people who watched the movie are appreciating the topical content.

Even collections are good in single screens in the two Telugu states," he informs. On the protesters seeking a ban on the movie, he adds, "Maybe, a few bold posters and trailer misled them. Actually, it is a youthful entertainer with a message and all youngsters should watch it," he adds.

If the content is strong enough, why then he had to resort to scorching trailers and posters? "It was just to draw the attention of the viewers and trigger hype in social media, otherwise films with debutants are unable to attract crowds these days.

I thought, once the audiences steps in they would be absorbed into the theme, but it has gone wrong a bit," he admits.

The director has pooled money from his friends and made this film in a shoe-string budget of Rs 2 crore plus but he thinks seeking a ban was unfair since the Censor Board didn't find any objections.

"Barring a few shots, censor board members found nothing obscene. So, I request the protesters to first watch the film and then take a call." he concludes.