Shiva is set to re-release this week on November 14, and promotional interviews are currently underway.
However, the spotlight seems to be limited to just Ram Gopal Varma and Nagarjuna, with none of the other artistes in sight.
It has become routine to see RGV talk about Shiva, often repeating anecdotes he has shared countless times before. But is that enough to market the film effectively?
Had the team brought together the entire cast, the promotions could have been far more engaging.
Actors like J D Chakravarthy, known for his lively personality, could have shared fresh insights. He played a crucial role in the film, which actually served as a launchpad for his career.
He eventually went on to play several lead roles in many films, building on the fame he earned from Shiva.
The film Shiva is not complete without the character of Nanaji, played by Tanikella Bharani. Surprisingly, he is not seen anywhere in this re-release’s promotions.
He is a widely respected artiste who connects different generations and continues to command immense respect in the industry.
Subhalekha Sudhakar is another actor who played Nagarjuna’s close friend in Shiva. His character deeply resonated with the audience. As an actor, he is still active in films, often appearing in strong supporting roles.
Chinna, who played one of Nagarjuna’s friends in the film, may not be active in cinema today, but he has become a familiar face on television. He enjoys considerable popularity among today’s TV audience as well.
Ram Jagan, though he rarely appears in films now, remains unforgettable for his role in Shiva. His slightly off-beat singing line in the song “Botany Pathamundi,” followed by Subhalekha Sudhakar’s correction, remains a beloved moment for fans.
Saichand, who played the heroine’s brother and a cop in the film, may not have had a major role, but he made his presence felt. He is also still active in film acting. He too deserves to share his experiences of working on Shiva.
With so many familiar and talented faces available, many in media circles are questioning why the Annapurna banner is relying solely on RGV for publicity, missing a valuable opportunity to celebrate the film’s iconic ensemble.
Not only that, Nagarjuna could have hosted a grand party for the film’s cast and crew at Annapurna Studios, similar to the famous ‘80s Reunion’ event, this time named ‘Shiva Reunion’.
Releasing pictures and video clips from such a celebration to the media would have created even bigger publicity for the re-release.
Nagarjuna might also have chosen this occasion to extend help to small time or retired artistes and technicians from the Shiva team who are currently facing financial difficulties. Such a gesture would have reflected his generosity and goodwill.
All of this would have not only helped the film’s publicity indirectly but also served as a beautiful lifelong memory for all the artistes and technicians who worked on the film.
In fact, every re-release event should celebrate something like this, with a human touch, and a giveback moment.
