MS Raju Reveals the Rs 25 Crore Mistake That Sank Deviputrudu

Twenty-five years after its release, producer MS Raju has finally spoken about the expensive mistake that turned Deviputrudu from a potential blockbuster into a commercial disaster. The Venkatesh starrer, directed by Kodi Ramakrishna, was a visual marvel that pushed the boundaries of Telugu cinema's technical capabilities.

In a recent interview, MS Raju revealed the behind-the-scenes drama that sealed the film's fate. When they approached Venkatesh with the complete script, the star expressed reservations about the climax, suggesting they rework the final 45 minutes before proceeding with the shoot.

"Venkatesh garu listened to the entire script and told us the last 45 minutes felt different. He wanted us to change it before we started filming," Raju disclosed. The producer admits they spent considerable time with director Kodi Ramakrishna and multiple writers trying to craft an alternative ending, but nothing seemed to work.

Eventually, they decided to stick with the original climax: a decision that would prove costly. Despite the film's groundbreaking visuals and Kodi Ramakrishna's innovative direction, the climax became what Raju calls "a major speed breaker" that derailed an otherwise smoothly sailing narrative.

Deviputrudu was ahead of its time, featuring graphics and visual effects that even Bollywood hadn't attempted. The film's underwater sequences, the depiction of Dwaraka, and its mythological elements were technically superior for that era. Even today, the film enjoys a cult following for its music, romantic scenes, and visual grandeur.

However, commercial success eluded the project. Film analysts continue to point to the climax as the primary reason for its box office failure. MS Raju acknowledges that while the film left him with massive losses as a producer, it also gave him immense satisfaction as a creative endeavor.

This revelation underscores a crucial lesson in Telugu cinema: star feedback during the scripting stage often proves prophetic. Venkatesh's instincts about the climax were spot-on, and ignoring his concerns cost the project both critical acclaim and commercial viability. Today, Deviputrudu stands as a testament to technical brilliance undermined by narrative missteps.