Here’s a bold statement: making a film without knowing how to promote it is like baking a cake and never sharing it—all that effort goes to waste. And this is the part most people miss: marketing isn’t just an afterthought; it’s the lifeblood of a movie’s success. Telugu producer Dheeraj Mogilineni, whose upcoming film The Girl Friend is set for a grand multilingual release on November 7, recently sparked a conversation about this very issue. Starring Rashmika Mandanna and Dheekshith Shetty, and directed by Rahul Ravindran, the romantic drama is presented by veteran producer Allu Aravind under the banners of Geetha Arts and Dheeraj Mogilineni Entertainment. But here’s where it gets controversial: Mogilineni argues that many filmmakers are failing their own projects by neglecting promotion.
In a candid interview, Mogilineni pointed out a glaring gap in the industry: ‘Many producers don’t even consider marketing as part of the filmmaking process. They stick to outdated promotional templates and wonder why their films flop, especially smaller, well-made projects that lack a promotional budget.’ He went on to say, ‘Anyone with money can make a film, but if you don’t know how to sell it, why make it in the first place?’ This raises a thought-provoking question: Is filmmaking incomplete without a solid marketing strategy? Mogilineni believes producers must learn to promote their films creatively, drawing audiences to theaters with unique campaigns. He even highlighted a frustrating reality: ‘Some actors don’t prioritize promotional events, which can hinder a film’s reach.’
This isn’t just a producer’s rant—it’s a call to action. But here’s the real question: Do you think filmmakers should prioritize marketing as much as production? Or is it the audience’s responsibility to discover good cinema? Let’s debate this in the comments—we want to hear your take!