Recent social media reports of Sunil’s returns as a comedian in a forthcoming Trivikram Srinivas’ movie, indicate that actors who enjoyed popularity as comedians are struggling to succeed as heroes.
Allari Naresh’s recent Meda Meedha Abbayi that relied more on story than comedy (his forte so far), doesn’t seem to have worked. People don’t seem to be missing Brahmanandam either, with a new comedian emerging every week, mostly from popular television shows like Jabardasth . Despite Srinivas Reddy getting acclaim for Jayammu Nischayammu Raa , it tanked at the box office. Sapatagiri’s Saptagiri Express was a dud. Sampoornesh seems to be a spent force. Is it the end of the road for comedy heroes? Do they need to shift genres or do try something different within the same genre?
Subbaraju who shot to fame as a comedian in Baahubali 2 will soon be turning hero in a film to directed by Vijayendra Prasad.
Srinivas Reddy doesn’t think comedians or comedy heroes are off the radar. “ Katha lo balam lekapothe peddha comedy chesina waste . Jayammu Nischayammu Raa released during demonetisation when people had no money. But it got good appreciation and ratings. My recent release Anando Brahma had a novel concept and there were other comedians as well. Comedy should be like a sugar coated medicine — sweet and curative. I have finalized two projects in which I play the hero — Kudi Yedamaithey and Bujjigadi Engagement . Post Geetanjali , I heard 80 stories and only then zeroed on Jayammu Nischayammu Raa . The comedy-hero films that are remakes are not working. The original might have released long back but by the time we make changes and release it here, it turns stale. In my case, I am aware that know if the story depends on me alone, it won’t work, so I look at all the characters and the story in entirety.”
He insists a star comedian like Brahmanandam can never fade and cites an example of Race Gurram where the film suddenly burst into life after Brahmanandam’s entry. He adds, “He has worked in so many films. At this point of life, he is doing films selectively and prefers to spend time with his family and wants to avoid night shifts at this age. Don’t misinterpret his low visibility, he will be back with Achari America Yatra . Audience chinna change korukuntunnarau..kaani vipareetamaina marpu ledhu . We might comment on Sunil and Naresh, but who knows their problems and how many subjects they have been rejecting.”
Sreenu Vytla whose forte is comedy says, “We all have realized that the same kind of films don’t run anymore. I make heroes do comedy but I even give padding in the form of other comedians. Content is very important, be it comedy or a serious story. The good thing is all genres are working now”
He is right. No film with good content has failed; if the content isn’t good, no star hero can save the film. The audience too is happy to see A league heroes attempt comedy, perhaps that’s why the craze for comedy heroes declined. Also with hike in ticket prices, increase in the production of films, films of top ten heroes and mid range heroes are releasing; there’s a lot of choice; the audience will obviously vote for the best.
Writer Gopi Mohan terms the comedy heroes fantastic actors. “Earlier, there was a big single screen audience for comedy heroes. Now, people aren’t going to screens until a film gets a hit talk. Films with strong content are doing well at multiplexes here and abroad too; the audience is a mix of youth, family, class and modern crowd.” Nani’s films that have a comic touch prove his point. Nani’s Nenu Local and was a huge hit is on account of the comic characterization woven around the hero. The film that gave him a big break again is Bhale Bhale Magadivoy, as well as Sharwanand’s Run Raja Run, Express Raja succeeded with the light hearted treatment of the hero. So also the case with
Sai dharam Tej’s Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitam, Subramanyam For Sale, Supreme, Kalyan Ram’s Pataas. Vishnu’s Dhee, Dhenikaina Ready, Dhoosukeltha, Aadorakam Eedorakam also worked decently at the BO on account of comedy. For Raj Tarun, except Kumari 21F, all his films are hilarious. Anando Brahma was a success because of an ensemble cast of comedians, different premise. The pressure never rested on a single comedian; ditto with Ami Tumi .
Writer Lakshmi Bhupal traces the phenomenon of the comedy hero. Earlier, there were separate tracks for comedy to balance a weak story or for comic relief to as serious story; that is how many comedians came up. He adds, “Comedy then came into the story and Godavari slang became popular with the entry of Ravi Teja. All the big heroes started experimenting with comedy like Ravi Teja and the role of comedians declined. As a result there was no separate comedy tracks and comedianss role declined. Also with the advent of comedy shows on television and hilarious forwards and comments on social media the bar was raised.”
Some writers point out that Sunil’s sliding graph is due to his serious action roles, where he was working towards to being a regular commercial hero. Ditto with Naresh. Director Kranti Madhav who helmed Sunil’s Ungarala Rambabu opines comedy is the toughest emotion to handle; everything about it — writing, directing and acting should be exceptionally good. He signs off, “When I got the opportunity, I took it as a challenge and I am happy I tried this genre so early in my career. Even a star like Amitabh Bachchan and Di Caprio have seen failure. Sunil and Naresh and other comedy heroes are promising. We can’t predict how the box office reacts.”
