Raju Weds Rambai, a film made on a modest budget, is creating strong ripples at the box office and its collections are growing day by day. An emotional Venu Udugula, the one who backed the film, made some sensational remarks at the film's success meet on Tuesday. He said that some individuals had disrespected the director and the film with their attitude.
During the event, Venu recalled an incident that deeply hurt him during the film’s premiere. “A few days ago, I screened my film for select people and invited a producer and a distributor. I personally know both of them. A few others also came along with them. When I asked my team, they said those people accompanied the producer and the distributor. But after the interval, they suddenly left the theatre without informing anyone — almost like running away. When they walked out midway, how would the other viewers who were sincerely watching the film feel? Not just that, after leaving the theatre, they began speaking negatively about my film and telling everyone that the director knew nothing about filmmaking,” said an emotional Venu Udugula.
He added, “If you are invited to a premiere, at least respect the film. Don’t walk in or walk out in the middle. Doing so is disrespectful to the director and to cinema itself.” Venu further added the film has withstood the negativity and succeeded at the box office. “I am not saying this because my film became a hit. I am saying it because their behaviour was insulting — to the director and to cinema.”
Venu shared that the team worked hard for nearly two years on this film, and standing on the success-meet stage today felt emotional. He also recalled a touching memory about director Saailu Kaampati. “One day Saailu called me saying he was from Khammam and wanted to meet me. I asked him to come. He called again after he reached Hyderabad, again when he reached Film Nagar, again after he reached my office gate, and once more when he reached the reception. I am sharing this because his repeated calls show his innocence. I saw myself in him, because I had faced the same nervousness when I first entered the industry,” Venu said.
Venu also stated that Saailu Kampati will become a filmmaker like Vetri Maaran or Mari Selvaraj in next few years. As Venu was speaking about Saailu, both became emotional and almost broke into tears. Venu paused his speech briefly before continuing.
Venu Udugula also credited actor Sree Vishnu for helping him become a director. Venu made his directorial debut with Sree Vishnu in Needi Naadi Oke Katha. He said he turned producer with Raju Weds Rambai because of ETV Win’s support.
