Common audience is trying to teach filmmaking to Mani Ratnam: 8 Vasantalu director hits back at Thug Life critics

Mani Ratnam’s latest film Thug Life, which released on June 5, opened to lukewarm response from both critics and audience. During a recent interview, 8 Vasantalu filmmaker Phanindra Narsetti hits back at the critics of the film, raising questions on the qualifications of those naysaying the film.

Speaking to online portal Gulte, Phanindra Narsetti reflected on the perils of social media culture, adding, “Ever since the advent of facebook, people feel more entitled to share their opinions. However, today’s average audience members are trying to teach Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam how to make films — I ask them, what are their qualifications?”

Phanindra added, “There is nothing wrong in a little bit of self-analysis before you offer your opinions about others. Those who have been following Mani Ratnam’s work of past 40 years have the right to comment on his films. However, people who are criticising Thug Life today weren’t even born when he started making films. If you have been following an artist’s work all these years, you would understand their pain.”

Written and directed by Phanindra Narsetti, 8 Vasantalu stars Ravi Duggirala as the male lead opposite Ananthika Sanilkumar. Hesham Abdul Wahab is the music composer. Naveen Yerneni and Y Ravi Shankar are producing the film under Mythri Movie Makers banner. In the technical team, Vishwanath Reddy and Shashank Mali helm cinematography and editing, respectively.

Upon its release, 8 Vasantalu will clash against Dhanush starrer Kuberaa, which is directed by Sekhar Kammula.