Naga Vamsi claims money takes priority over content in South Indian cinema, while Boney Kapoor emphasizes the importance of storytelling over profits.
January 2, 2025: Producer Naga Vamsi, known for films like DJ Tillu and Jersey, stirred controversy during a Galatta Plus roundtable discussion by stating that South Indian filmmakers often prioritise profits over experimental cinema. The debate intensified when veteran producer Boney Kapoor disagreed with Vamsi’s perspective.
Naga Vamsi’s Statement on Profit-Driven Filmmaking
During the panel discussion, Naga Vamsi admitted that many South Indian producers hesitate to take risks on unconventional subjects.
“We always have second thoughts about making risky films with an unconventional subject. We consider the kind of money it will earn through OTT before we take the theatre risk. After all the calculations, we think twice before making good films,” he stated.
Boney Kapoor’s Rebuttal
Boney Kapoor disagreed with Vamsi’s viewpoint and cited examples of films like Nag Ashwin’s Jathi Ratnalu and Rajkummar Rao’s Stree as success stories of unconventional cinema.
“Ashwini Dutt and Nag Ashwin probably made more money with Jathi Ratnalu than many big-budget films. Similarly, Rajkummar Rao became a known face with films that never had huge budgets or marketing pushes,” Kapoor argued.
Despite Kapoor’s counterpoint, Naga Vamsi stood firm on his stance, emphasizing that commercial success often outweighs creative risks in South Indian cinema.
“But when you weigh them, money is more important for us,” he concluded.
Previous Clash Between Naga Vamsi and Boney Kapoor
This debate follows an earlier clash between Naga Vamsi and Boney Kapoor, where Vamsi remarked that Bollywood focuses on cinema only for ‘Bandra and Juhu audiences’. The statement sparked reactions from Bollywood filmmakers, including Hansal Mehta, who called Vamsi’s remarks disrespectful.
Naga Vamsi later clarified that there was no disrespect intended and shared that he and Boney Kapoor ended the discussion on amicable terms with a handshake.
This ongoing debate highlights the divide in priorities between creative storytelling and commercial viability in the Indian film industry.
Tags:
Naga Vamsi, Boney Kapoor, South Cinema vs Bollywood, Film Industry Debate, Galatta Plus Roundtable, Profit vs Content in Cinema, Indian Film Industry, Regional Cinema, Bollywood vs South Cinema, Naga Vamsi Controversy.
