RGV Lakshmi…waiting for buyers?

Despite creating ripples on social media, maverick director Ram Gopal Varma’s much-hyped ‘Lakshmi’s NTR’ is yet to be sold out in the two Telugu states. “Distributors don’t go by the hype created on the social media, hence major areas are still open although discussions are going on,” says distributor Bharat Bushan, who claims that RGV & team are reportedly quoting Rs 12 crore for two Telugu states but ready to scale down by few more crores. “With RGV’s last film ‘Officer’ biting the dust, they are willing to give it for Rs 7 or 8 crore but buyers are reluctant,” adds Bharat Bushan. With mostly new faces, the film has to ride on RGV’s name. “RGV brand lost sheen long back. A distributor of ‘Officer’ from Bangalore wanted to even commit suicide for losing 70 lakhs on ‘Officer’ but was later pacified by office-bearers of a trade body. While another distributor from Andhra region lost Rs 3 crore plus and became bankrupt,” adds distributor Venkateswar Rao, who feels that even social media hype for ‘Lakshmi’s NTR’ looks fictitious and manipulated. “Rival political party has pumped in huge money to numerous Youtube channels to give a boost to the film on social media and generated fictitious views but that doesn’t guarantee business,” adds Rao. Another distributor Ramakrishna says “Actually, Ms Lakshmi Parvathi acted in a film long back but it bombed. For her biopic, we are not sure about number of theatres it will be released. Women audience may avoid this movie because it is not film based on a role model. Above all, the fate of RGV’s film is decided by the first show itself. Keeping buyers at bay for now,” he concludes.