In the ever-evolving landscape of Indian cinema, the Panorama Studios duo, Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak, are leaving their mark with ambitious plans for cinematic universes. Their vision extends beyond the success of Raid, as they delve into the world of sequels, Malayalam cinema, and the art of storytelling-driven franchises.
The Future of Raid
When it comes to Raid 3, Abhishek Pathak teases that they are in the development phase, emphasizing the importance of having a compelling script before moving forward. "We want to ensure Aamir Patnaik's journey is truly great," he says. The team is engaged in discussions about the narrative direction and how to propel the story, creating anticipation for fans of the franchise.
Expanding Horizons: Malayalam Cinema
The Pathaks' foray into Malayalam cinema is a strategic move. Abhishek highlights the studio's belief in high-concept, high-quality storytelling, which aligns perfectly with the Malayalam film industry. He admires the way Malayalam films are written and the fresh stories they bring to the table. With OTT platforms, the studio has been able to explore and appreciate the depth of Malayalam content, leading to an expansion of their slate in Kerala.
The Malayalam Advantage
Kumar Mangat Pathak sheds light on the financial aspect, comparing the budget for a song in a Hindi film to the entire production cost of a Malayalam film. He praises the organized system and clear cost structure in Malayalam cinema, which results in visually stunning films despite lower production costs. Abhishek adds that the shorter shooting schedules and affordable locations contribute to the efficiency and quality of Malayalam productions.
Shaitaan 2: A Thoughtful Approach
Abhishek Pathak's approach to Shaitaan 2 is deliberate. He doesn't want to rush into a franchise sequel just for the sake of brand continuity. Instead, he aims to organically evolve the story, much like the Drishyam franchise did over a decade. "I want the Shaitaan franchise to have the same organic growth," he says, indicating that they are currently discussing ideas and will only proceed once the screenplay is finalized.
Drishyam's Telugu Journey
As for the Telugu Drishyam franchise, there have been speculations about Venkatesh Daggubati's involvement. Kumar Mangat Pathak, however, states that they are not aware of any changes and cannot comment further.
In conclusion, the Panorama Studios team is taking a thoughtful and strategic approach to their cinematic ventures. By embracing the strengths of Malayalam cinema and focusing on high-quality storytelling, they are shaping the future of Indian franchises. Personally, I find it fascinating how they are blending the best of both worlds, creating a unique cinematic experience. It's a testament to the power of storytelling and the potential for growth in the Indian film industry.
