Renowned filmmaker Sriram Raghavan has shared his views on the theatrical response to his latest release, Ikkis.
In an interaction, Sriram Raghavan has been reported to say that although Ikkis received good recognition from critics, it received a different response at the box office. He believes that the response of the audience is now highly unpredictable, with factors like streaming services, word of mouth, and social media influencing it.
Mixed but Meaningful Response
It has been reported that Sriram Raghavan believes that Ikkis received positive feedback from the audience, who appreciated its content and performances. However, he believes that the response at the box office was not satisfactory.
“Today, the theatrical journey of a film is shaped by many factors beyond content alone,” Sriram Raghavan is reported to say.
Changing Cinema Dynamics
The director pointed out that the audience has changed in the post-pandemic scenario. The audience prefers to wait for a digital release of a film unless they are assured of a grand cinematic experience. The problem faced by a mid-budget content-driven film was pointed out in the context of generating audience interest in watching the film in theatres despite positive word-of-mouth.
Raghavan pointed out that the success of a film in theatres cannot be judged only in terms of the opening weekend box office collection. He was thankful for those who supported his film Ikkis in theatres.
Confidence in Storytelling
Sriram Raghavan is known for his nuanced storytelling and his attempt at breaking genre barriers in his films. He pointed out that as a filmmaker, he was confident about his storytelling and his attempt at creating something different for the audience. He pointed out that success in box office collections was as important as satisfaction as a creator and as a filmmaker.
It has been pointed out that Ikkis could find a new audience in its digital release. It is a common phenomenon for content-driven cinema.
