Revanth Reddy presents bigger picture to Tollywood, shares vision to make Hyderabad international destination for film making

Prominent personalities from Telugu film industry in a meeting with Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy in Hyderabad on Thursday (December 26, 2024) morning.
| Photo Credit: By Arrangement

Days after the bitterness and ill-will threatened to damage the relationship between Telangana government and the film industry, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy bridged the gap on his terms and the industry heads concurred with his view that the ‘special privilege’ tag that they have been seeking has to be shed.

Actors, directors and producers met with the Chief Minister at Integrated Command Control Centre (ICCC) in Hyderabad on Thursday (December 26, 2024).

The bigger picture

While the industry was worried about the cancellation of benefit shows and ticket prices for big cinemas, the Chief Minister threw a bigger picture in front of them with his vision to turn Hyderabad into an international destination for film shootings.

Actor Nagarjuna is part of the Telugu film industry bigwigs who met with Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy in Hyderabad on Thursday (December 26, 2024) morning.
| Photo Credit:
By Arrangement

On the positive note, Mr. Reddy assured them that Hyderabad would be on the world map as far as the film industry was concerned and asked the industry heads to conduct a national conclave on films in Hyderabad inviting the who’s who of the industry in India and abroad.

The CM opened a bigger canvas of the industry’s future and its role in the development of the State and did not confine himself to smaller issues that can be tackled by the authorities. This was revealed by Telangana Film Development Corporation (TGFDC) Chairman Dil Raju when he said ticket prices and benefit shows were minute issues in front of the future unveiled by the Chief Minister.

Reiterating his commitment to eradicate social menaces like drug consumption and attacks on women, he sought the participation of film heroes and influential figures in the campaigns given their reach and the impression they make among the masses. He also suggested that small cess collected on cinema tickets could be utilised for constructing integrated residentials schools – his dream – in the State.

Seeking to drive away the apprehensions about the government’s support to the industry, he reminded that Congress governments always supported the industry with huge incentives for establishment, existence and growth.

Signal sent to abide by the law

While explaining his vision and commitment, he also sent a signal to the industry that they have to abide by the law and as the Chief Minister, he had a responsibility to implement the law equally. “I don’t function to suit my interests or with whims and fancies,” he told the gathering.

The meeting held at the police command control centre in Banjara Hills was attended by Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkata Reddy, Khairtabad DCC president Rohin Reddy, Film Development Corporation Chairman Dil Raju and DGP Jitender among others.

The industry was represented by actors Nagarjuna, Venkatesh, Saidharam Tej, Kalyan Ram, Shiva Balaji, Adavi Sesh; directors K. Raghavendra Rao, Trivikram, Koratala Siva, Anil Ravipudi, and producers like Daggubati Suresh Babu, Allu Aravind, KL Narayana, Shyamprasad Reddy, among others.

TGFDC chairman speaks to media

Later, speaking to the media, Mr. Dil Raju said the Chief Minister assured them to constitute a committee with Deputy CM Bhatti Virkamarka and industry representatives to sort out the issues. He said the FDC would convene a meeting with the industry representatives and take them to the government for solutions.

He said the Chief Minister was more focussed on taking the Telugu industry to a global level and wanted the industry to work with that aim and smaller issues could be resolved through discussions and the FDC would take the lead.

Mr. Dil Raju dismissed the issue of benefit shows and ticket prices as trivial in the whole episode. They are not the agenda for us and they are just part of the biggest picture, he said.

While leaving the meeting venue, cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkata Reddy said that all issues were sorted out and misinformation was plugged.