Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy recently unveiled significant initiatives aimed at resolving issues faced by the Telugu film industry. The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions involving the much-anticipated film Pushpa 2, and allegations against the state government from BJP leader Amit Malviya.
In a meeting with members of the Telugu film industry, CM Reddy acknowledged the industry’s concerns and assured his government’s commitment to addressing them. He stated, “The film industry brought their problems to the attention of the government and shared doubts, misconceptions, and ideas in the meeting.” The Chief Minister also emphasized that the government’s actions would work towards the growth and prosperity of the Telugu cinema sector.
Steps Taken by Telangana Government
To support the industry, the Telangana government has already undertaken several steps. These include issuing special orders for the release of eight films and providing police assistance for the filming of Pushpa 2. Additionally, the government has decided to create a new brand identity for the Telugu film industry to ensure its long-term success.
In a bid to strengthen coordination between the government and the film industry, CM Reddy appointed prominent film producer Dil Raju as the new Chairman of the Film Development Corporation (FDC). He also revealed plans to form a Cabinet Sub-Committee tasked with resolving the industry’s challenges. This committee will work in collaboration with an industry-led committee to ensure that the issues are properly addressed.
“We will constitute a Cabinet Sub-Committee to resolve the problems of the Telugu film industry,” CM Reddy explained. “The industry will also form a committee.”
Promoting Eco-Tourism and Temple Tourism
In addition to addressing industry concerns, CM Reddy highlighted the importance of promoting eco-tourism and temple tourism in the state, with the film industry playing a key role in this initiative. He also emphasized Hyderabad’s potential to become a global hub for the film industry. “Mumbai became the hub of Bollywood due to favorable conditions there. Hyderabad is the best city among all cosmopolitan cities,” he added.
The government has also laid out plans to attract Bollywood and Hollywood to Hyderabad. Initiatives are underway to host major conferences aimed at encouraging international film industries to set up operations in the city. The Chief Minister expressed the government’s goal to elevate the film industry to new heights.
BJP’s Allegations Against CM Reddy
While CM Reddy’s announcement was met with support from many in the film industry, BJP leader Amit Malviya criticized the Telangana government, alleging that the Congress-led administration was targeting Tollywood. Malviya claimed that the government’s actions were driven by resistance from Telugu superstars who had refused to comply with CM Reddy’s attempts to exert control and “extract money” from the industry.
In a post on X, Malviya pointed to several incidents that he claimed highlighted the government’s undue targeting of Tollywood. These include the demolition of superstar Nagarjuna’s convention center in Hyderabad, personal attacks against actress Samantha Prabhu, and political moves aimed at veteran actor Mohan Babu and his son. Most recently, he claimed that Allu Arjun, a major figure in Tollywood, was also being targeted.
Malviya’s comments have sparked a political controversy, as tensions between the Telangana government and the film industry continue to escalate.
Conclusion
The Telangana government’s efforts to resolve the issues within the Telugu film industry, coupled with its plans to boost Hyderabad as a global film hub, mark a significant shift in the state’s approach to the sector. However, ongoing political tensions and allegations from opposition leaders like Amit Malviya suggest that the situation may continue to evolve as both the state government and Tollywood navigate their complex relationship.
Sources By Agencies
