I feel lucky to complete 25 years as a producer in the industry” – Star Producer Bellamkonda Suresh

I feel lucky to complete 25 years as a producer in the industry” – Star Producer Bellamkonda Suresh

Bellamkonda Suresh, a prominent name in the Telugu film industry, is celebrating a significant milestone – completing 25 successful years as a producer. Throughout his illustrious career, he has produced several hit films including Aadi, Chennakesava Reddy, Lakshmi Narasimha, Sambayya, Alludu Seenu, Naa Autograph, and many more. On the occasion of his 57th birthday, December 5, Bellamkonda Suresh opened up about his journey, his past films, and his exciting future projects in an exclusive press interaction.

How has the journey of 25 years as a producer felt?
“It has been a wonderful journey,” says Bellamkonda Suresh, reflecting on his successful career. “In these 25 years, I have produced 38 films. I am very happy with my journey and the fame I have earned in the industry.”

He fondly recalls starting his career with the film Sambayya, which starred Srihari in the lead role. “On the 25th anniversary of that film, it’s very sad that Srihari is no longer with us. He was not just a great actor, but a wonderful person,” he adds, paying tribute to his late friend.

What makes this birthday special?
“This birthday is special as I am returning to production after a break of nine years,” he shares. “I am excited to begin producing films again starting from April. The first project will be with my son.”

Why the 9-year gap?
“The gap happened because my children were working with outside production houses. I had to take a break. My elder son’s career is now well-set, and my younger son’s career is shaping up. Both are working on some great projects, and in April, they will start their own projects. I will announce full details about those soon.”

He further elaborates on his eldest son, Srinivas, who is currently involved in four projects. “One of the films is a remake of Garudan, which will release around Christmas. After that, we have a massive-budget film in the pipeline, produced by Kodi Ramakrishna’s son-in-law, which will involve a lot of CGI. We are waiting patiently to begin work on that.”

Changes in the industry and production landscape:
When asked about the changes in the industry over the years, Bellamkonda Suresh responds, “The industry has evolved, and production has changed a lot since my early days. However, I am still actively involved in production and have executed projects like Hindi Chhatrapati.”

Aadi – The turning point in your career?
“Aadi is the film that truly established me as a top producer,” Bellamkonda Suresh recalls. “As for collaborating with NTR again, it’s not entirely in our hands. But I am in touch with everyone, and I speak with Vinayak daily. I also have great respect for Puri Jagannath.”

Naa Autograph and its 4K rerelease:
“Yes, we are working on converting Naa Autograph into a 4K version, and we plan to release it on Ravi Teja’s birthday. Naa Autograph is a special film with evergreen songs, and I believe the 4K version will add to its charm,” he says.

Response to Chennakesava Reddy rerelease:
The rerelease of Chennakesava Reddy has exceeded expectations. “The response and revenue have been higher than we anticipated. I definitely plan to work with Balayya Babu again in the future,” he confirms.

Rumors about Boyapati’s remuneration:
Addressing the rumors about giving a blank check to Boyapati, Bellamkonda Suresh clarifies, “There is no truth in such rumors. Boyapati came on board with love and respect. He even reduced his remuneration to make the film a success. He is a wonderful person. Jaya Janaki Nayaka, which was dubbed in Hindi, has amassed 900 million views and remains very successful.”

Godfather in the industry:
“I consider Mohan Babu as my Godfather. He gave me an opportunity when I had no support in the industry and made me the manager of a film. He has been my guiding force,” he says with gratitude.

Working with new directors:
Bellamkonda Suresh is open to working with new directors. “I have seen some great films by new directors, like Samavaragamana, Ka, and Committee Boys. I’m always open to working with talented new directors who have good stories to tell.”

Remakes and future projects:
“We have a remake in the pipeline that we believe will be a superhit in Telugu as well. If the story is good, remakes can work well, and we are hopeful about this one,” he reveals.

A director he would love to work with
“I would love to work with Puri Jagannadh. He elevates heroism like no one else and has an incredible ability to complete a film in just 90 days. That’s the kind of director I want to collaborate with,” he adds.