In a fiery response to an industry body's report, filmmaker Anuraj Manohar has vehemently denied claims that his recent release, the Tovino Thomas-starrer 'Narivetta', was a financial failure. The controversy erupted after the Producers Association released data stating that only fifteen films were profitable this year and that 'Narivetta' did not make profits in theaters.
Director's Strong Rebuttal on Social Media
Anuraj Manohar took to Facebook to pen a long and emotional post refuting the association's verdict. He clarified that 'Narivetta', which he directed and released in May this year, is indeed a profitable venture. To back his claim, he stated his team is prepared to reveal the complete account details publicly.
The director provided key financial figures to support his argument. He revealed that the film was produced on a budget of Rs 10 crore and went on to collect approximately Rs 31.43 crore at the worldwide box office, indicating a significant return on investment.
A 'Knife at the Throat' of the Industry
In his post, Manohar did not hold back in criticizing the association's statement, calling it detrimental to the health of the film industry. He wrote, "When people loudly announce that all films are total failures, they are holding a knife to the throat of this industry." He questioned the motivation behind such declarations, suggesting they could be aimed at discouraging new producers and consolidating power within a select few.
He expressed fear that this narrative could lead to the industry falling into the hands of large corporate entities. Using a vivid Malayalam proverb, he compared the situation to "tying a dog near a haystack—neither eating nor letting others eat," implying a stifling of opportunity for all.
A Journey of Belief and Hard Work
Anuraj Manohar also shared the challenging journey of getting 'Narivetta' made. He disclosed that several major producers had initially rejected the project before the Indian Cinema Company stepped forward. He noted that this production house, operating on belief and love for the script, took on 'Narivetta' as its very first production.
Ending his passionate note, the director spoke about the immense struggle and dedication behind every film. "Every film is a battle. No one lifted us up by holding our hands," he stated. He highlighted the tangible evidence of hard work—worn-out shoes and sweat-soaked clothes—as silent witnesses to the effort. His closing message was a powerful plea: "You may ignore hard work, but do not trample over it."
The public disagreement has sparked a debate within the Malayalam film industry about transparency in declaring box office results and the impact of broad, negative statements on the morale of filmmakers and potential investors.
