The much-anticipated film Bro starring Pawan Kalyan and Sai Dharam Tej in the lead roles, is the next Tollywood biggie coming under the banner of People Media Factory, one of the leading production houses in Telugu cinema. Co-produced under the banner of ZEE Studios, the film is written and directed by Samuthirakani. Trivikram penned the screenplay and dialogues. The movie is scheduled for release on 28th July. Ahead of the release, producer TG Vishwa Prasad, the founder of People Media Factory, interacted with the media about the film, and here is the transcript.
How did the project take off?
When we were looking for the right project, Trivikram Garu referred the project to us after having watched the original version, i.e., Vinodhaya Sitham. Taking the suggestions of Trivikram Garu, we moved ahead. Bro is one of the largest releases for us. Working with someone like Powerstar is very prestigious for all of us.
The original version is a small film shot in 20 days. How is this remake version going to be?
Bro has a much bigger span than Vinodhaya Sitham. It is mounted on a big scale and banks on its story solely. However, the songs and family emotions will entertain the audience big time. Bro ticks all the boxes of a commercial entertainer. It carries the soul of the original, but the screenplay is changed.
Remakes sometimes might not translate the feel-good factor of the original version. How did you deal with this challenge?
One thing that I can say is that Bro will be super successful when it arrives in cinemas. Kalyan’s character and his performance will give a new experience altogether to the audience. It has strong emotions and will very much reach expectations.
Thaman stated that a promotional song was about to be released. When can we expect the song?
Currently, we are working on the trailer. We have already apprised you that we wrapped the shoot in a squeezed schedule. The delay in graphics works was the reason we were not able to release the content. Once it is done, we will release the other promotional songs and content related to the film. The pre-release event will happen on 25th July. We haven’t planned paid-premiers as of now.
There’s a talk that there are no buyers for Bro in overseas. What would you say about it?
Before coming to Tollywod, I started an overseas business. Back then, we wouldn’t get Telugu films in Seattle. So first, I used to buy the rights of a movie. And then release it in theatres. I don’t directly do it, I’ve a team in the USA. Coming to the topic, I held back Bro’s rights since it has more potential. Shows will get sold out even if I release the film a week before the scheduled release date.
You have been doing both small and large-scale films. How do you differentiate the risk factor in both segments?
It’s been more than five years since I entered the film industry. Small movies will also have certain risks involved with them. Big films bring good profits before you release them, but small films will have that risk. We have to live with the risks. To the best of my knowledge, there are no risks associated with big films. But you don’t know until you face it.
Any plans to foray into Bollywood?
We have planned it during Adipurush itself. Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit with Prabhas is in the pipeline. We are planning to set up an office in Mumbai very soon. People Media Factory will produce four to five Hindi films per year.