Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has made it clear to Tollywood bigwigs that under no circumstances, benefit shows and ticket price hikes will be allowed in the state. Taking full control of the situation, the Chief Minister suggested that film personalities must participate in social service activities and anti-drug campaigns without fail. Although the meeting was widely expected to discuss the raging controversy over the recent Sandhya theatre stampede and the consequent arrest of actor Allu Arjun as well as demolition of N-Convention belonging to film star Nagarjuna Akkineni, none of these items came up for discussion. It was a meeting that apparently followed the agenda set by Chief Minister Revanth, with the participants finally agreeing to come to terms with the state government on all aspects.
After the meeting, Tollywood representatives expressed their happiness over the ‘positive’ manner in which the talks were held and hoped that the currently soured relations between the industry and the state government would improve soon. Â
The Telugu film industry, represented by Telangana Film Development Corporation (TFDC) Chairman Dil Raju, met Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Thursday morning. This meeting scotched speculations about the perceived ‘gap’ between the government and the film industry.
“The Chief Minister shared his vision for the development of the Telugu Film Industry and expressed his ambition to make Hyderabad a hub for not only Indian cinema, but also Hollywood,” said Dil Raju. Nearly 40 people from the industry, including producers, actors, and directors, attended the meeting. Prominent figures like K. Raghavendra Rao, Suresh Babu, Murali Mohan, Allu Aravind, and others shared their views on how to develop Telugu cinema and elevate Hyderabad’s status on the international map.
The recent controversy surrounding the arrest of actor Allu Arjun has been making headlines and amplified across social media and other platforms. However, Dil Raju clarified, “We didn’t discuss the Allu Arjun issue at all in the meeting”. He acknowledged that some participants briefly mentioned it as an unfortunate incident but stressed that it was treated as a passing cloud.
Addressing expectations of the meeting focusing on ticket price hikes and benefit shows, Dil Raju remarked: “Those are very small issues and were never discussed. Ticket price hikes are a producer’s individual choice, and whoever wants it can request the government.”
The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy responded positively to the discussions. Dil Raju noted that the Chief Minister reiterated his commitment to making Telangana a “drug-free state”. To support this endeavour, he requested actors to use their influence to create awareness about the dangers of drug abuse. “Most actors have a huge fan following. The CM requested them to include a small video message on drug awareness to inspire their fans,” said Dil Raju.
Dil Raju emphasized that the discussions revolved around the industry’s overall growth rather than minor issues like ticket pricing or benefit shows. “The agenda of the meeting was to explore Telugu cinema’s potential on national and international scales. The CM wants Hyderabad to become a hub for cinema, much like it is for the IT and Pharma sectors,” he said.
The state government asked the industry to also support key initiatives, including holding the ‘Gaddar Film Awards’ annually. The TFDC will play a key role in facilitating these events, ensuring collaboration between the industry and the government.
Addressing another rumour, Dil Raju clarified that the police did not show any videos related to the Sandhya theatre incident during the meeting. However, the Director-General of Police has requested that the industry hold itself accountable for the behavior of bouncers. A committee comprising film industry representatives and government officials will be formed to enhance coordination. “As TFDC Chairman, I will act as a bridge between the industry and the government to ensure seamless collaboration. From now on, any industry needs will be routed through the FDC,” said Dil Raju.
Notable attendees at the meeting included actors Murali Mohan, Nagarjuna, Venkatesh, and Kiran Abbavaram; directors Koratala Siva, Trivikram Srinivas, Anil Ravipudi, Sai Rajesh, and Vamsi Paidipalli; and producers Shyam Prasad Reddy, Suresh Babu, Allu Aravind, Gemini Kiran, KL Narayana, and others.
The meeting marked a significant step towards strengthening the somewhat strained relationship between the government and the Telugu film ondustry, with a shared vision to elevate the industry to greater heights.
