Renowned producer Dil Raju has expressed serious concerns about the future of the Telugu film industry. While promoting his upcoming film Thammudu starring Nithin, which is set to release on July 4th, Raju shared his thoughts on the current challenges the industry is facing.

One of the major issues raised by Raju is the growing influence of OTT platforms in the film industry. He pointed out that OTT platforms are not only gaining control but are also influencing the release dates of films. "Nothing is in our hands now. OTT players are setting the rules," Raju said, highlighting how the rise of digital platforms has reshaped the traditional movie release model.

Raju warned that if the footfalls in theatres do not increase, Telugu cinema could face a difficult phase in the coming years. He stressed that the industry must adapt to survive and urged for better content, more flexible ticket pricing, and enhanced theatre experiences to attract audiences back to cinemas.

In addition to content, Raju emphasized that star heroes should take on more projects, suggesting that they should aim for at least one release every Friday to keep the industry dynamic and engaging for viewers. He also pointed out that it is the responsibility of producers to protect and support single-screen theatres, which have been struggling due to the rise of OTT platforms.

As the industry faces these challenges, Raju called for collective action to bring back audiences to cinemas before it’s too late, making it clear that collaboration among all stakeholders producers, filmmakers, and stars is essential for the future of Telugu cinema.