ABS-CBN Films Managing Director Kriz Gazmen remarked that it was a right decision for Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano to headline Star Cinema's first theatrical offering since the pandemic.

Donny and Belle are currently starring in An Inconvenient Love, which was released in theaters on November 23.

"I think what was validated is that we were not wrong in trusting that Donny and Belle are movie stars. I posted about it nga, that the first time I read the script, I thought, how are Donny and Belle going to do this? Because it is such a difficult material," he said in an interview with Philstar.com.

He continued, "But they delivered and they really pulled it off. It always feels good when you challenge these actors and then they deliver."

In a previous interview with Inquirer, Kriz remarked that they have so much faith in DonBelle hence the film outfit entrusted to them the An Inconvenient Love project.

"We thought that we should strike while the iron is hot. We’re just so excited to see what they can offer for their supporters because, this time around, they will be dealing with a more difficult material," Kriz said.

He confessed that though he was feeling nervous about Star Cinema returning to theaters, he believes that there is still power in releasing films in theaters.

"[ABS-CBN Films is] taking so many risks with its decision to do theatrical releases now, but at the end of the day, we really have no choice. Moviemaking is our business. We still believe in the power of movies being consumed in the theaters,” he explained.

READ: Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano welcomed by 'Bubblies' abroad

An Inconvenient Love follows the story of Ayef (Belle) who has no time for love as she works towards her dream of becoming an animator. She meets Manny (Donny) and agrees to a convenient relationship that will expire in the month when she leaves for Singapore.

On November 26, Star Cinema announced that the movie reached PHP10 million in box office sales.