Here are a few excerpts from producer TG Vishwa Prasad’s recent interview, ahead of the release of Raamabanam, directed by Sriwass and featuring Gopichand in the lead role:
People’s Media Factory is known for its quality content, through which it has built its brand. How do you choose your films?
We choose scripts based on their subject, and that is how we selected Raamabanam, because it has good family entertainment. We are happy with how the film has turned out to be.
What are some of the highlights of the film?
The trailer hasn’t been released yet. But like I said, it has good family entertainment values. It is about the quality of food that we eat everyday.
After the success of Lakshyam and Loukyam, there would obviously be high expectations on a third Gopichand and Sriwass film. How did you handle that?
Sriwass brought a complete family entertainer to us, and we tried to give our maximum support for the film. The film has a very good brother sentiment going on for it, which will entertain the audience.
As the name of your production company suggests – People Media Factory – you are producing back to back films. What’s the reason for that?
We studied the industry for two years before we became producers. We opted for a factory model intentionally. That’s why we are producing back to back films.
What is the reason for investing a lot in the movie industry?
I came from the IT industry, where I have my own businesses. The reason for investing on a large in the film industry is because of my passion for films. I am not investing in movies because I am expecting huge returns, it is purely out of passion.
How are your profits so far ? Are they up to your expectations?
We have had a very good success streak in Tollywood so far.
You have entered other industries as well. How is your experience there, and what all languages do intend to make films in?
We have entered the Kannada and Tamil industries till now. It’s been good. We are also planning to make Hollywood movies. Telugu will be our primary base, but we want to make films in other languages also.
Why did you choose Raamabanam as the title of your film? Is it because of Balakrishna?
We had been busy trying to select the title for our film for a long time, but Raamabanam was selected by Balayya, and so we stuck to it.
Is this going to be a typical Gopichand movie?
Raamabanam will have a very good family entertainment to it, and the themes of the movie will be similar to what you have seen in Lakshyam and Loukyam, and Gopichand will also be seen in a similar capacity.
What kind of movies do you think you’ve been able to make so far, and what’s your future plan?
We’ve tried to entertain the audeince with every film that we made. We intend to make more films and for a very long time.
There have been many films in Telugu with brother sentiment so far. How is Raamabanam going to be any different?
I can’t talk about the film from a creative perspective. However, I do think that the emotions and themes explored in the movie will definitely speak to the audeince.
How is your creative involvement in every project like? Are you very much creatively involved, or do you leave it to the director?
We don’t involve in the creative process of a film, and only make our suggestions during the pre-production stage. Apart from that, we make sure that everything a film needs is there, which is why we are investing in studios and other such things as well.
How do you select your movies?
There is no set rule or formula to how we select our movies. There are many factors which decide which movie we make.
The way films are being made and consumed have changed in the past few years. How do you think Raamabanam will be relevant with its concept now?
Like I said, there is no formula or rule to how a film may or may not work. Similarly, based on the current circumstances, we are confident that Raamabanam will work well.
How many days did it take to complete the film? Are you happy with the final product?
The film was in production for almost a year, for various reasons. At the end of the day, we are quite happy with how the film has turned out to be.
You take up different kinds of projects, so what’s the method that you work on?
We are trying to implement a corporate style in films, and that’s how we are approaching the way we are producing films. Apart from that, we got into films purely out of passion.
How do you look at success and failure?
We have a very extensive planning strategy, where we analyse every aspect of a film before mounting it. Apart from that, no one can predict success or failure. It’s just a part of everything that we do.
Do you have any other plans apart from theatrical films? Like distribution or OTT content?
Yes, we do. We have been doing OTT content already, but we are not interested in opening our own OTT platform. Apart from that, we are interested in building a thorough infrastructure for filmmaking.
Are your children interested in films, can we see them be a part of your journey?
My daughter is interested, she is currently working as the line producer for Sharwanand’s film. We have to see how much more she will be involved in the future. My son is not interested at all.
You are doing the show ‘Ala Modalaindi’ with Vennela Kishore on ETV. How did that come to be?
We were involved with ETV for a while now, as we handled the US segment of Paadutha Theeyaga. We have been wanting to produce a TV show for a long time now, and that’s the story behind Ala Modalaindi.
Which producer is your inspiration?
Cinema is itself an inspiration. There were a lot of obstacles initially for me, but I overcame all of them and managed to become producers.
A lot of poeple consider Ramanaidu to be an inspiration, so is there any one personality who is an inspiration for you as such?
Nothing like that. But, I think we will be the fastest production house to produce 200 movies.
What is the status of your movie with Prabhas?
I can’t talk a lot about it. But almost 30% of the movie has been completed. I’ll talk about it when the time is right.
Where do you see the film industry headed towards in the next five years? Do you see it heading towards a completely corporate structure?
Once again, I can’t speak for the creative and talent aspect, but I do expect to see a back office for every film in the next five years.
Who do you want to work with?
We want to work with everyone. All that depends upon the availability of talent and the content we get.
How do you handle failure?
We go back and analyse every film that has failed, and try to avoid it next time.
How has your journey been so far?
It’s been fine so far. Yes, there have been a few hurdles, but it’s been fine so far.
What is the status of Karthikeya 3 and Goodachari 2?
Goodachari 2 has already been launched, and is currently in the pre-production stages. It might take a couple of months for it to go on sets. Karthikeya 3 depends upon when director Chandoo comes up with a script and he completing his commitments.
When can Prabhas’s movie be expected to be released?
I don’t want to talk about it right now. We will come out when we are ready, and we have our own strategy for the movie.