RRR line-producer denies figures tossed around as Oscar campaign costs

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S.S. Karthikeya, S.S . Rajamouli’s son and line producer of RRR, in a statement to “Bombay Times” has set the record straight after the controversially high figures reported as the cost of promoting the film in the US—Rs. 8 billion or Rs. 80 crore.

Tammareddy Bharadwaja, a veteran filmmaker, had alleged that the huge money had been spent, inviting criticism and aspersions on the legitimacy of the film’s Oscar campaign.

Karthikeya stated, “We didn’t have a huge studio backing us like some of the other nominees in the race, so everything came out of our pockets. Our initial plan was to spend Rs. 5 crore to generate interest in the film. We divided the campaign and spent Rs. 2.5 to 3 crore just in the first phase.”

The money, adds the line producer, was spent in social media campaigns, email blasts, paper advertisements and screenings in Los Angeles and New York. In the second phase, which was the nominations. It ultimately it cost us Rs. 8.5 crore total.”

He added that NTR Jr., Ram Charan, (choreographer) Prem Rakshith, (singers) Kaala Bhairava and Rahul Sipligunj were invitees, while M.M. Keeravani and (lyricist) Chandrabose were nominees. But the rest of us had to buy tickets, and the nominees had to send an email to the Academy, requesting them to let us attend,” added Karthikeya.

His final statement was, “RRR became so huge, it became a phenomenon. But thinking we could buy an Oscar is a joke. It’s a 95 year-old credible institution. You can’t buy the audience love or what Styeven Spielberg or James Cameron said about the movie. They will say what they want to say.”

The blockbuster movie has made over Rs. 1200 crore worldwide.