DJ Tillu and Shekar skip Sankranthi release owing to rise in COVID-19 cases, theatre unavailability

For a brief while, teams of several small-budget Telugu films were immensely enthusiastic to make use of the open festival release slot with the postponement of several big releases like RRR and Radhe Shyam. Omicron-blues aren't sparing them either now. Two films, DJ Tillu and Shekar, that were set to release for Sankranthi, have postponed their releases owing to the rise in infections. In addition, the unavailability of theatres, given the simultaneous release of four films Super Machi, Bangarraju, Rowdy Boys and Hero, is believed to have forced the makers to take the call.

Sithara Entertainments, the production house behind DJ Tillu, posted a tweet earlier in the day that read, "Hang in there, to experience the crazy fun ride in theatres just when it's the time. Until then everyone #MaskUp & #StaySafe #DJTillu #DJTilluPostponed." Besides the tweet, a poster shared by the team had the words, "With the rapidly growing infections and also the onset of COVID in our core team, #DJTillu will not be able to make it to theatres as planned. The crazy ride is just delayed, DJ Tillu will be flying to theatres very soon. #MaskUp #StayHome #StaySafe"

It is well known that S Thaman, who was to compose the background score of DJ Tillu, has been infected with the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. DJ Tillu is a thriller directed by Vimal Krishna that features Neha Shetty and Siddhu Jonnalagadda in lead roles. The first single released from the film, Tillu Anna DJ Pedithe, sung and composed by Ram Miriyala, was a smash hit with audiences. DJ Tillu is now expected to release in theatres on January 26.

Meanwhile, Shekar, headlined by veteran actor Rajashekar and directed by Jeevitha Rajashekar, was to also release for Sankranthi, though the makers never officially confirmed the same. With four films competing for theatre slots this Sankranthi, it was never going to be easy for Shekar to draw eyeballs. Though COVID-19 may officially be declared the reason for its postponement to February 4, it's quite obvious that unavailability of theatres would've also played its part in the release delay.