In these unprecedented times, producer Vishnu Vardhan Induri braved a challenge, holding on to two big-ticket ventures — 83 headlined by Ranveer Singh and Kangana Ranaut-starrer Thalaivii — in order to unveil them on the big screen. While his plans are afoot to prepare a hybrid release strategy for his projects, the producer spoke to BT about his journey with these films and more. Excerpts:

Real-life stories have always inspired me. For a long time, I have wanted to build a franchise around our freedom fighters who have not received their due. There are so many. Durga Bhabhi is one of them. She inspired the likes of Chandra Shekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh and she made numerous sacrifices for the motherland. Her story is phenomenal. When I was planning the franchise, Azad Hind, we felt her story should be the first one to roll out. Also, I wanted to make this announcement coinciding with our 75th Independence Day. There could not have been a more momentous day to do it. We have already commenced work and we will announce the finer details of the project soon.

The films are complete and ready for release. In fact, Thalaivii will be released on September 10 in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. We made these films for a theatrical experience and we are going to bring them out in cinemas. It was a huge risk to wait with such big films in the kitty, and so, it was important for us to safeguard our investment while ensuring the films see a theatrical run. We are working out multiple options. In times like these, with the pandemic still playing on people’s minds, box-office collections can’t be taken as the benchmark for a film’s success. The only criteria should be the recovery of investment while ensuring the film is showcased to an audience as large as possible through whichever model a producer chooses for the film’s exhibition. It could be direct-to-digital, a hybrid of theatrical and OTT, or a straight-out theatrical release. The industry is going through a tough time and we can’t judge anyone if they decided to go with a direct-to-digital release. No one expected this pandemic to hit us this bad.

Producers, who are wanting to opt for a theatrical run, also need to look for various permutations and combinations to de-risk their investments, and in the process, they may need to take some drastic decisions, which might be unconventional. Thalaivii and '83 have been made for the big screen and we want to showcase our films in theatres first. At the same time, we definitely want to safeguard our investment through nontheatrical deals. We, as an industry, including producers, distributors and exhibitors, should all work together and create a win-win situation for each other by relaxing the traditional terms and conditions. Film business arms around the world are supporting one another. We should do that, too.

There were many offers, which were fancy and the prices quoted were quite high, but we have made this film for the big screen. We want the audience to experience this story on the big screen with lovely performances by Kangana and Arvind. It will be a delight to watch Kangana as Jayalalithaa in Thalaivii. Later, they can also watch it on an OTT platform. We have made our films for a theatrical experience. I have to thank Vijayendra Prasad and Rajat Arora (screenwriters) and Vijay (director) who brought my vision to life despite all the constraints and keeping the timelines and the budget of the shoot intact. I am fortunate to have a very strong team with me. Producer Shaailesh R Singh, co-producers — Thirumal Reddy and Hitesh Thakkar and Brinda Prasad, our creative producer have been with me on this incredible journey.

It has indeed been a long journey, but one that has been extremely satisfying and fruitful. The ideas for most of my films come from me and I have been lucky to find writers who have brought my vision to life. Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan had written the initial drafts of '83. Eventually, when Kabir Khan came on board, both as a producer and director, he brought in his own spin. He had his own take on it. Kabir played a captain’s innings in this film. As a director, he pulled off what seemed very difficult to imagine. He had an ensemble cast on hand, difficult weather conditions in the UK while shooting, and he had a strict timeline to meet. He ticked all the boxes well. The film looks great; it’s in 3D, and the audience will be treated to a fabulous experience when they watch it in theatres.

They have all been very supportive and they stood by us in this. They have always supported every decision that makes business sense to us. We had come very close to releasing '83 when the first lockdown happened. A similar incident occurred when we were planning to release Thalaivii. It’s disheartening to bear with that, but the whole world was suffering and there was nothing anyone could do on both occasions. We had to wait to let things get a little better.

If I am able to live my dreams and do things the way I feel is justified for the films we have made, it is because of the friends, family and extremely supportive business partners that I have. Without them and my faith in the almighty, things would not be the same.