Rana Daggubati believes the Telugu film audience has undergone a significant shift in the way it approaches cinema. In his latest conversation with Anupama Chopra for The Hollywood Reporter India, the actor-producer spoke about how audiences are increasingly looking beyond the hero and becoming more invested in the filmmaker behind a project.
“Earlier, it was more about the hero. Now, it is about the director,” Rana said, pointing to the growing influence of filmmakers and their individual identities. He noted that audiences today are excited not merely because of who stars in a film, but because of who is making it.
“Today, people are excited to watch a Rajamouli film, a Sandeep Reddy Vanga film or a Prashanth Neel film,” he explained, highlighting how directors have themselves become brands capable of generating anticipation.
Rana’s observation reflects a larger transformation in Telugu cinema, particularly after the rise of films that have travelled beyond their original linguistic markets. Filmmakers such as SS Rajamouli, Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Prashanth Neel have developed distinctive storytelling styles, making their names an important part of a film’s appeal.
The actor-producer also believes this change points to the arrival of a new generation of filmmakers and audiences. His own production journey through Spirit Media has increasingly focused on supporting new voices and first-time directors, reinforcing his belief that the filmmaker’s vision can be as important as star power.
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