The buzz around “Ustaad Bhagat Singh” is steadily building, largely driven by the massive popularity of Pawan Kalyan.
Apart from being one of the biggest stars in Telugu cinema, he also serves as the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, which adds to the attention surrounding his projects.
Historically, Pawan Kalyan’s films generate strong openings and pre-release hype regardless of the director, thanks to his immense fan following and brand value. However, the film’s long-term success ultimately depends on content and narration.
Amid the ongoing promotions, some trade circles have been informally discussing director Harish Shankar’s over hype around him and the promotional tone.
A section of the industry feels that the director is projecting himself aggressively while marketing the film.
Harish Shankar delivered a blockbuster with “Gabbar Singh” in 2012, also starring Pawan Kalyan. Post that, his films have seen mixed results.
“Ramayya Vastavayya” with Jr NTR flopped, “Duvvada Jagannadham” starring Allu Arjun performed moderately, while his recent outing “Mr. Bachchan” with Ravi Teja was a disaster at the box office.
That said, “Ustaad Bhagat Singh” remains one of the most anticipated films in Telugu cinema, primarily due to Pawan Kalyan’s star power.
Industry observers believe that keeping the spotlight firmly on the film and its lead star could be the most effective strategy as release approaches. Harish Shankar should avoid elevating himself.
During the promotions of “Mr. Bachchan,” he attempted to generate massive hype on his name, but the film’s disappointing result turned into a setback.
Many feel he does not command the brand value of directors like Sukumar or Trivikram Srinivas, who enjoy a strong and consistent track record.
However, critics point out that he often projects himself on par with such top filmmakers in promotional campaigns, sometimes appearing to overshadow the lead hero.
There is also talk within industry circles that some team members are not entirely comfortable with this approach.