Bollywood star Ajay Devgn recently met Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to discuss a major investment in the state’s media and entertainment sector. Devgn expressed a strong interest in establishing a world-class film studio in Telangana, equipped with cutting-edge technology and built to international standards.
Currently, Hyderabad already boasts renowned facilities like Rama Naidu Studios, Ramoji Film City, Annapurna Studios, Sarathi Studios, and AI Studios, among others. But it’s an open secret that studios are no longer as profitable as they once were, with filmmakers increasingly opting for real locations.
He highlights that Hyderabad’s studios, established between 1975 and 1995, are relatively younger than those in Mumbai and Chennai, and thus offer more scope for expansion. “We already have advanced facilities, including virtual production and AI technologies, but there’s always room to upgrade and stay competitive with studios from other states,” he says.
On the challenges facing the industry, he acknowledges, “Studio owners are somehow managing, but it’s the producers who are suffering due to numerous flops and declining footfalls in theatres. Actors and technicians are still thriving, but theatre owners are also struggling with mounting losses. A more balanced and flexible ticket pricing system could help theatres recover and bring some stability to the industry,” he concludes.
