Top producer Allu Aravind’s name frequently surfaces whenever media reports reference the so-called top ‘Four’ of the Telugu film industry. In recent days, the Telugu Film Industry has been in the spotlight due to the theatre bandh, Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan’s statements, and the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce’s response to his remarks.
Now, Allu Aravind has spoken out to clarify his stance regarding his inclusion in the ‘Top Four’ and his ownership of theatres.
“You are aware of the discussions taking place in the film industry over the last two days. There has been a narrative in the media about ‘those four’ individuals. I have no connection with them. I am not one among those four,” said Allu Aravind.
He elaborated that the term “those four” was coined nearly fifteen years ago and has since expanded to encompass ten individuals. “No one paid much attention to this label. Currently, those ten people hold theatre properties. I stepped away from all business activities involving those four during the pandemic. I do not own a single theatre in Telangana. The only theatres I’m associated with are under Asian Cinemas. Even in Andhra Pradesh, I exited theatre operations a long time ago. Out of the 1,500 theatres currently in AP, only fifteen belong to us,” he stated.
He further clarified that even those fifteen theatres are not being renewed after the lease expires. “Out of habit, they continue using my photo in connection with ‘those four.’ I’m being unfairly criticized. I request my friends in the media not to associate me with them. I am not involved in business with them. I only have fifteen theatres under my management,” he emphasised.
Allu Aravind expressed his support for Pawan Kalyan and the Andhra Pradesh Cinematography Minister’s opinions.
“The Cinematography Minister’s response to the issue was very reasonable, in my opinion. I did not attend any meetings related to the theatre issue—neither out of disinterest nor intentionally. I instructed my team at Geetha Distribution and other associates not to attend as well,” he revealed.
He also criticized the timing of certain declarations. “Announcing theatre closures right before the release of Pawan Kalyan’s film is reckless. Pawan Kalyan is someone with a kind heart who has always helped the industry selflessly,” he said. Aravind added that after Pawan Kalyan assumed the Deputy CM role, he advised industry representatives to approach Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on behalf of the Film Chamber. “However, our people chose to ignore it,” he remarked.
