“Marketing is the main challenge in the film industry, especially for the new comers,” said Rajeev Ravi, cinematographer, director and producer.
Addressing a ‘Meet the Press’ programme organized by the Thrissur Press Club here on Wednesday, Mr. Ravi said there was a nexus of middlemen who ruled the marketing sector in the film industry.
“Many films with good script, excellent cinematography and good cast are not able to reach the theatres. Whether it is screening in theatres or at film festival, a network of middlemen determine the fate of the film.”
Mr. Ravi, along with a group of his friends including cinematographer Madhu, production designer Sunil Babu, editor Ajith and sound designer Resul Pookutty, has launched Collective Phase One to create an alternative path in filmmaking and marketing.
Mr. Ravi said though the Malayalam film industry had been successful in adopting new technologies, its mindset was still stuck in the old era of theatre.
“Our film institutes are producing just a group of technicians for the industry, not creative minds,” he said. The new-generation films, hugely inspired by the Hollywood, were mostly banking on technology and gimmicks rather than strong scripts and treatment, he added.
After his successful movie, Annayum Rasoolum , starring Fahadh Faasil, his new film, Njaan Steve Lopez , is going to reach theatres soon.
The film is the first venture of Collective Phase One in Malayalam.
Farhaan Faasil, Fahadh’s younger brother, and Ahaana Krishna are the lead pair of the film.
Mr. Ravi has worked as cinematographer with eminent directors such as Madhur Bhandarkar and Anurag Kashyap for the films such as Chandni Bar and Dev D .
In Malayalam, he wielded the lens for films such as Classmates, Shesham, and Rasikan.
Bharatha MudraSpecial Correspondent adds: The Kalyan Bharatha Mudra for 2014, instituted by the Bharathan Smrithi Vedi, was presented to Mr. Ravi at a function held in Thrissur on Wednesday on the 16th death anniversary of director Bharathan.
Directors Mohan and Kamal were present.
