š„š¬ Tollywood Shock: Directorās Brand Value Losing Charm in Telugu Cinema?
- MediaFx

- Sep 1
- 2 min read
TL;DR šĀ ā Telugu movie buffs are no longer blindly trusting big directors or flashy pre-release events . Instead, they are waiting for solid content and killer trailers . AR Murugadossās latest film MadharaasiĀ is struggling to grab hype despite having Siva Karthikeyan in the lead, while other films are trending without promotions. Audience verdict: directorās ābrand nameā alone canāt sell tickets anymore š„.

The Telugu film industry is witnessing a serious vibe shiftĀ . A biggie dubbed film, MadharaasiĀ (releasing September 5, 2025), starring SivaKarthikeyan, is finding zero buzzĀ even after a proper pre-release event . Meanwhile, another dubbed flick Kotha LokahĀ managed to trend without any event, purely through organic chatter . This shows one thing crystal clear ā todayās Telugu audience cares about quality, not just names. A good trailer, strong content, and positive buzz on social media are becoming the real game-changers .
Even in MadharaasiāsĀ event, people didnāt focus much on the film. Instead, the highlight turned out to be SivaKarthikeyanās comments about Telugu films grossing ā¹1000 Cr and RukminiVasanthās packed line-up of upcoming releases .
Now comes the director angle . Once upon a time, AR MurugadossĀ was a national-level director with hits like GhajiniĀ and Thuppakki. But in Telugu states, his brand value took a major beatingĀ after flops like SPYderĀ and SikandarĀ . People now doubt if his films are worth watching on day one. Even his promotional statements about Salman Khan and 1000 Cr films didnāt convince fans .
On the flip side, some directors still enjoy massive crazeĀ just for their name . Example ā CoolieĀ may not have been a hit, but the hype was real thanks to the directorās image. Big names like LokeshKanagaraj, Shankar, and ManiRatnam can still pull audiences into theatres even before the trailer drops . Thatās the power of brand director.
But hereās the twist . Despite low buzz, MadharaasiĀ might still have a chance to shine. Why? Because there isnāt much competition ā only GhaatiĀ and Little HeartsĀ are releasing around the same time. If word of mouth turns positive, AR Murugadoss can make a comeback in Telugu cinema .
š” MediaFx Peopleās Take
This whole scenario shows a healthy change from the peopleās perspectiveĀ . Audiences are no longer ready to waste hard-earned money šø on big names without proof. They want value for ticket price, strong content, and real entertainment. Itās a reminder that cinema survives not on hype, but on the support of ordinary people who fill the theatres .













































