In the latest interview with noted journalist TS Sudhir, D Suresh Babu said that the film business has hit a new low this year. This year has seen all-time low collections. Across all theatres are not able to pay rents. The economy is poor, OTT platforms like Netflix are making a big impact, and the poor content of films is also a factor.
Noted producer and distributor Suresh Babu added, “Nowadays the people are not coming to the theaters as they are opting to watch the latest movies for Netflix and Amazon. The movie lovers are only showing the interest to watch only big spectacles like Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy and Saaho in theaters. Now the Cinema has become a weekend business or a holiday business.” Suresh Babu added. “I am unable to pay power bills and staff salaries for my theaters.”
Suresh Babu further added, “We have come down to 1700 theatres from the 3000 theatres in the early 2000s in the united Andhra Pradesh. The economic slowdown. Netflix and Amazon and lack of quality movies are killing the theatrical business. These are the main reasons, people are not showing interest to watch the movie in theaters. The movie lovers are now looking for movies and content on OTT platforms. Along with this, the poor economy and bad films made things even poor. I am confused about the release date of multi statrrer Venky Mama. We have never released a film on Venkatesh’s birthday. But this time we have decided to release Venky Mama on 13th December on the occasion of Venky’s birthday.”
Suresh Babu, the son of the producer Dr D Ramanaidu and elder brother of popular actor Venkatesh, has produced several hit films under Suresh Productions including Bobbili Raja, Coolie No 1, Preminchukundam Raa, Ganesh, Nuvvu leka nenu lenu, Kalisundam Raa, Jayam Manade Raa, Malliswari, Tulasi, Drushyam and Gopala Gopala.