Perception of regional film industries and impact on production budgets

Authored by Santosh Kher, Founder, Creative Vibe.

Regional films have come a long way in India. From being restricted to regions and only language speaking people, some of them have surpassed boundaries and given cult favorite content. South Indian cinema needs no introduction when it comes to breaking barriers. The industries have given huge blockbusters which have given even ‘mainstream’ movies a run for their money. Even industries like Marathi cinema which was otherwise a reticent industry only known for their award winning content, have come in the limelight for their movies and web content. Bengali regional industry seems to have also made inroads in OTT content. Despite all these wins, there is still certain challenges which plague these industries.

Understanding Production Budgets: The Foundation of Filmmaking

Production budgets play a crucial role in determining the size and impact of a movie. They have a far-reaching influence on various aspects of production, such as the visual appeal, the quality of special effects, the selection of actors, and the overall excellence of the film. In fact, the success or failure of a project often hinges on the prudent allocation and utilization of its budget. While it is indeed possible to create remarkable content even with limited financial resources, particularly evident in the realm of regional films, it is not advisable for entire industries to solely rely on low-budget endeavors. By doing so, there is a risk of perpetuating the perception that the industry consistently produces material of inferior quality. Therefore, it becomes increasingly essential to channel more investment into regional films, providing them with ample opportunities to shine and be recognized within the mainstream landscape. By nurturing and supporting such projects, the industry can showcase its diverse talent and expand its creative horizons

The Theatre Revenue Conundrum

Here the question arises, ‘why regional films have low budgets?’. The simple answer to this query is, it is perceived that regional films have a small target audience. Apart from a few south films, regional films cater to only language speakers, which makes up for a small percentage of the entire country’s population. It is noted that in the presence of mainstream cinema, few language speakers go to theatres to watch regional films. The success of films depends on revenue earned from theatres and if a producer feels that enough people will not be pulled to cinema halls, the production budget is affected. Producers need to produce content at a cost which can be recovered.

The Path Forward: Bridging The Gap

Regional content should be made to be presented on a pan-India scale. The films coming from these industries should relate to a larger audience while maintaining their local flavour. Filmmakers should capitalise on this landscape at a time when audiences have developed a diverse palate for consuming content. Content needs to break away from run of the mill topics and there needs to be an active effort to present interesting, path-breaking concepts. It is highly imperative that a film should be marketed well to encourage viewers to watch the film.

Producers need to bet higher to bring better quality stories and performances which are marketed brilliantly to create a pull. This will help change perceptions. It is a chicken and egg situation, which is slowly changing. If marketing is weak, audiences will not be attracted and if attraction needs to be created the budgets need to be good. Today there are many successful case studies where regional content has seen pan-Indian and even global success. If regional industries start making a conscious and joint effort in developing the perception of their cinema, they will start attracting more audiences by changing their approach for the better.