A recent press note from Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s office has created a stir in the Telugu film industry. Beginning with a sarcastic thank-you to Tollywood for the so-called return gift, the note clearly outlined the government’s future approach toward the industry. This has led to intense discussions among producers and industry leaders.
Pawan expressed disappointment that even after one year of the coalition government being in power, no representative from the film industry had made the effort to formally meet Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. He called this lack of basic courtesy a serious issue.
He announced that going forward, no personal meetings will be granted to producers or directors regarding issues like ticket pricing or movie releases. All communication must now go through official associations. This means no more individual appointments for personal or professional favors.
The note also highlighted the industry’s silence on important matters such as theater revenue, tax contributions, lack of basic facilities, loopholes in multiplex operations, and the ongoing confusion about ticket rates. Reviews and detailed reports on all these issues are expected soon. Pawan also pointed out the dominance of certain groups within the industry, which made some insiders very uneasy.
Many believe this shift in tone is connected to recent talk of a theater shutdown on June first and the complications around the release of Hari Hara Veera Mallu. Even if the industry rushes to meet the Chief Minister or Deputy Chief Minister now, sources close to Pawan suggest that he may not soften his stance so easily.
The real impact of this press note will become clearer in the days to come.
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