In Tollywood, it has long been an open secret — the widespread practice of artificially boosting YouTube views for film teasers and trailers. Producers have been spending lakhs to inflate numbers, aiming to impress fans, OTT platforms, and general audiences. Whether it’s big-budget blockbusters or smaller films, this manipulation has become routine. Yet, no major figure in the industry openly addressed the issue — until now.

At the grand trailer launch of his upcoming film Thammudu, ace producer Dil Raju finally broke the silence. Speaking candidly to the media, he said,

“I’ve wanted to talk about this for a long time. Today, as we release the Thammudu trailer on YouTube, I want to make one thing clear: these views are 100% organic. I have instructed my PROs and digital team not to spend even a rupee on buying views. What you see reflects real audience interest, nothing more.”

Dil Raju emphasized that manipulating views ultimately harms the industry:

“If we fake numbers, we lose track of genuine audience feedback. It becomes impossible to analyze what content is truly working. Inflated views may look impressive on paper but offer no real value in terms of reach or impact. I am taking the first step — it’s time to end this practice.”

He even shared a personal anecdote, recalling how one of his earlier films hit 10 million views overnight, surprising even his own family. “Back then, we boosted views, but now, it’s time for change,” he admitted.

Dil Raju also cited examples like Sankranthiki Vasthunnam and Court, both box-office successes that earned their popularity without resorting to inorganic YouTube numbers.

“Content is king. If the film is good, the audience will come,” he asserted.

On the professional front, Dil Raju continues to innovate through his new ventures Dil Raju Dreams and LORVEN AI, aiming to introduce fresh dimensions to Telugu cinema. His next release, Thammudu, starring Nithiin, Sapthami Gowda, and Laya, is scheduled to hit screens on July 4th. With the film’s promotions starting on such a progressive note, Dil Raju’s bold move serves as a wake-up call to the entire industry.

Whether other filmmakers will follow his lead remains to be seen. But for now, Dil Raju has set a new benchmark in Tollywood.