13th May 2023, Mumbai: Trade professionals talk about how Adipurush’s trailer raised people’s expectations for the film.
Any narrative feature film depicts the progression of the protagonist or a cast of characters from one scene to the next. Adipurush, the ambitious film by Om Raut, has undergone a long production process leading up to the trailer’s release. However, it currently appears that there won’t be any further surprises and that the movie will have a smooth opening.
When we asked different business professionals about Adipurush’s advertising campaign, they all agreed that it got off to a fantastic start with the publication of the impressive and eye-catching posters.
But the teaser that followed last year didn’t help the movie’s cause.
Taran Adarsh, a seasoned trade analyst, was unrelenting in his criticism of the Adipurush teaser. He admitted to us, “To be quite honest, I did not like the teaser at all and I was pretty loud about it. In the meanwhile, I had done interviews and elaborated on why I didn’t like it. I just couldn’t get it to work. I informed Prabhas that I didn’t enjoy the teaser at all when we first met during the trailer debut. I also told Om Raut about this.”
“Even though the promotional materials up until the trailer left exhibitor Akshaye Rathi wondering what exactly the film’s vision was, he continued to believe in Om Raut. Those who had concerns about the appearance and feel of the movie were somewhat disproved by the teaser. I, along with many others, at least have confidence in Om Raut’s storytelling prowess on the big screen. There was at least a vision of the grandest setting in the teaser, despite the VFX’s relatively mediocre quality and off-putting appearance and feel”,he actor remarked.
However, the Adipurush teaser has proven to be a welcome surprise, and the critics agreed. “Thankfully, I liked the caravan,” Taran Adarsh added. “Those posters caught my attention. I don’t dispute that. However, everything seemed flat to me following the teaser. I don’t have any memories of such posters. But afterwards, the poster for Hanuman Ji and the cry “Jai Shri Ram” (lyrical video) truly struck a chord with me. And I suddenly thought the caravan was great. I enjoyed it both in 3D and 2D, where I first saw it”. He said, “Zameen aasman ka fark hai,” when asked to describe the differences between the teaser and the movie. It resembles both the North and South Poles.”
Rathi echoed the same feelings when she remarked, “After all the effort put forth over the previous few months, judging by the fresh batch of posters and the just released trailer, it looks that they have finally got their act together. In terms of how the plot looks and feels, it now appears to be a far more acceptable rendition of the tale.”
Adipurush was initially scheduled to come out in January. However, the six-month wait allowed the filmmakers to focus more on the VFX and aesthetic appeal of the movie, and it appears that their strategy was successful. Atul Mohan, a senior trade expert, thinks the producers deserve praise for making this choice after acknowledging the response to the teaser.
Atul Mohan remarked, “When the public doesn’t like something, you admit it and fix it as per the public expectations. “When you have already contributed a lot of money to your initiative, it takes courage to add more. People also enjoy it when the producers acknowledge the error and fix it. Admitting that you haven’t been able to live up to people’s expectations and that you’re willing to put the project on hold doesn’t make one small. A movie’s delay is a major deal. Every day, the interest increases. The creators therefore shown their commitment by working on it for six months.”
“They have given glimpses of the action”, he continued, sharing what he found to be effective in the trailer. “Particularly the Shiv Ling, one can see the grandeur and large scale on which it is shot. The Ramayan is a crucial aspect of our lives. In terms of production, costumes, and people, we had to make concessions for television. However, since this is for a large screen, everything is lavishly spent. Thus, it appears opulent.”
Girish Johar, a producer and expert in the film industry, commented on the trailer, saying, “With the teaser, everyone got puzzled. They thought the movie was more cartoonish than anything else. Clearly, between the first leg they began and this one, the sea has changed. It’s more thrilling now.”
“I’m pleased that the producers listened to audience input and are returning with more spark and flair, which will undoubtedly be evident at the box office. After watching the trailer, you become more receptive to the movie’s other content. You make an effort to ascertain their true desires. They create suspense and raise awareness about the impending release of a movie of this calibre. Like or dislike is entirely a matter of taste. They were advised to make changes and anticipate needs in the form of feedback. The creators, in my opinion, used that feedback to their advantage”. According to Akshaye Rathi, the teaser was a “blessing in disguise” for the film’s creators. “There were responses, and it required the creators to work on improving the film. I really hope that even if there is a delay of roughly six months, it won’t matter as long as the final product is fantastic. The aspects in the teaser are present, but they don’t come together smoothly if you are from the entertainment industry and have worked there. However, everything seems to have been relevant in the teaser,” he observed. “It’s not like we don’t know what the Ramayan’s story is”, he continued. “The manner in which it is told is what captivates the public the most. If the storytelling is anything like Om Raut’s last two films, this Ramayan adaptation on a grand scale may be the most original and visually stunning one we have ever witnessed in our lifetime.”
“Box office is incredibly important for every large-scale movie with major performers and such a large canvas.” Taran Adarsh predicted Adipurush’s debut, saying, “I think the debut can be grand. Ramayan, which is the main draw, is available. And Prabhas is a well-known actor.”
“The emotion of Ramayan seems to grab on more than the trailer, teaser, or anything else, in my opinion. This one cannot be stopped. The star cast and promotions are not important; they are just a byproduct. Of course they do; I don’t dispute that. Ramadan, though, is more significant for me.”
Rathi commented on the debut, saying, “I won’t be surprised if the day one takes Rs. 35 to 40 crores across all languages, depending on the marketing and how the communication around the picture plays out from here. Prabhas’ star power is at work in the Telugu-speaking regions of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.”
“And throughout the rest of the nation, one of India’s greatest tales is being recounted in the most visually stunning manner conceivable. It might end up being one of the biggest openings of the year if they play their cards correctly from this point on.”
Adipurush, in Girish Johar’s opinion, benefits from being a family movie. “With a large scale and money, the story is well suited for family viewing, which everyone would do. Everyone would want to take in a massive show and relive the legend”, he claimed.
Prabhas, Kriti Sanon, Saif Ali Khan, Sunny Singh, and Devdatte Nage play Lord Ram, Sita, Raavan, Lakshman, and Hanuman, respectively, in the T-Series and Retrophiles-produced film Adipurush.On June 16, the movie will be screened in theatres
-by Kashvi Gala