While Telugu cinema is currently leaning heavily on mythology and devotional content, not all films in this space are enjoying the same level of success.
Movies like Mirai and the dubbed version of Kantara: Chapter 1 clicked with audiences this year by blending devotional elements with high-end visuals and compelling storytelling.
Several upcoming big-budget films such as Rajamouli’s Varanasi, Kalki 2, and Jai HanuMan are also set to explore mythological and devotional themes, backed by rich visuals and extensive use of graphics.
However, there is a clear distinction between traditional mythology and the concept of Sanathana Dharma.
Recently, films like Hari Hara Veera Mallu and Akhanda 2 attempted to explore the theme of Sanathana Dharma.
In theory, this concept should resonate strongly with Telugu audiences, who generally connect well with cultural and spiritual narratives. Yet, both films were rejected by viewers.
While some argue that audiences have not rejected the theme itself but were put off by weak narration and execution, others believe that Sanathana Dharma, unlike straightforward mythological or devotional stories, is a more abstract concept that many viewers find difficult to connect with.
Additionally, excessive preaching through dialogues appears to have worked against these films.
Interestingly, both movies also failed badly in North India, despite Sanathana Dharma being a concept that has seen strong political traction there. Even core Hindi-speaking audiences did not connect with these films.
This raises an important question: is Sanathana Dharma truly a viable theme for commercial cinema, or does it require a more nuanced and engaging approach to succeed on the big screen?