Tollywood mass director Harish Shankar recently analyzed why his film Ramayya Vastavayya, starring Young Tiger NTR, failed to meet box office expectations despite high anticipation following his industry hit Gabbar Singh. In a candid interview, Harish Shankar acknowledged the movie’s shortcomings and shared his insights on what went wrong.
According to him, the primary reason for the film’s flop was a “wrong mindset” created among the audience. Typically, mass entertainers build suspense around the villain, keeping viewers engaged until the climax. However, in Ramayya Vastavayya, the villain’s role was concluded early in the first half, leaving audiences feeling the story ended prematurely. This misjudgment in audience perception directly impacted box office performance.
Harish Shankar also pointed to screenplay issues as a critical factor. By ending the villain’s arc early, the remaining story lacked tension, and viewers were left wondering what would happen next. He admitted this was a clear flaw in his screenplay. The absence of a strong secondary antagonist also reduced the scope for the hero’s elevating moments. Regarding characterization, he explained that a villain’s strength defines the impact of the hero’s actions. Though the villain was well-designed in concept, the execution didn’t match, which prevented the film from fully impressing mass audiences.
The director emphasized that predicting a hit or flop is only possible post-release. While filmmakers can put in their best efforts, the final outcome ultimately depends on audience response. In conclusion, Harish Shankar stated that despite having a star like NTR, misjudging audience mindset and their expectations led to the film’s failure. He is, however, confident about his upcoming project Ustaad Bhagat Singh, starring Power Star Pawan Kalyan, which is set to release in theaters on March 19 and is expected to perform well.
