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Tollywood is one of the biggest film industries in the world when it comes to the number of films being made, scale and the reach of its stars. But when it comes to promotions, the industry still has plenty of room to improve. A small example of this was visible on Vinayaka Chavithi yesterday.

Festival occasions have traditionally been used by film teams to release a new poster, share a glimpse or simply wish fans while keeping the film in the conversation. Yesterday, several small budget films followed the practice, but surprisingly, many of Tollywood’s big upcoming films did not release even a festival poster.

Varanasi, Raaka, The Paradise, Ranabaali, Fauzi, Vrushakarma, Spirit, Dada, Kaaka, King 100, January 12 Vidudala, Vishwambhara and Dragon are a few notable names.

These films are still in production, which makes it even more surprising. A festival poster or a small glimpse costs very little compared to a full fledged promotional campaign, yet it can give fans something to talk about and keep a film’s buzz alive.

There may be specific reasons behind each team’s decision, but the larger point is worth thinking about. Tollywood has mastered the art of making big films and creating massive theatrical expectations. The next step is to become equally aggressive and consistent when it comes to promoting them. Special occasions offer an easy opportunity to stay connected with audiences, and it would be interesting to see the industry make better use of them.