Producer KE Gnanavel Raja, who has bankrolled several blockbuster Tamil movies under his banner Studio Green, has hit out at the heroes in the Tamil film industry during a recent film-related event. Stating that the Tamil film heroes should take a pay cut depending on the business a film does, he lamented that not doing so is taking a toll on the producers.
Speaking at an event to promote the Tamil version of Naa Peru Surya Naa Illu India, starring Allu Arjun in the lead role, he has been quoted by the Indian Express as saying, “If a hero’s film does business of Rs 100 crore, they demand a salary of Rs 50 crore. However, no matter how big a star is in Telugu film industry, they only charge Rs 15 crores. If the change doesn’t happen in a year, I would have to move to Tollywood and start producing Telugu films.”
He added that as more money is spent on the remuneration, the production values of Tamil films have gone down and cannot sustain in markets in northern parts of India. KE Gnanavel Raja also pointed out that he would move over to produce Telugu films as it has almost become unaffordable for him to bankroll back-to-back Tamil movies.
The producer currently has a bunch of films in different stages of production including the Arya starrer Ghajinikanth, Gautham Karthik’s Iruttu Araiyil Murattu Kuththu, Vijay Devarkonda’s bilingual NOTA, and Vaibhav’s Katteri.
Studio Green, one of the most successful production houses in Kollywood, made its maiden production with Sillunu Oru Kaadhal, starring Suriya, Jyothika and Bhumika Chawla in the lead roles. Other hit movies from his banner include Paruthiveeran, Singam, Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum, Iraivi and Thaanaa Serndha Koottam.
(Content provided by Digital Native)