HYDERABAD: The Telangana government has proposed to levy cess on the film industry to fund the Integrated Residential Schools in the state. It is one of the few ideas that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy floated at the crucial meeting here with the Tollywood’s star-spangled delegation on Thursday. He also made it clear that the government would not give permission for an increase in ticket prices, benefit and special shows for new film releases. He, however, assured that the government will extend all support to the film industry needs for its growth.
Another key take-away from the meeting was the constitution of a Cabinet sub-committee to resolve the problems of the film industry. The chief minister also suggested that the filmmakers constitute a committee among themselves.
The meeting took place against the backdrop of the death of a woman and serious injuries to her son in the stampede that took place during the premier of Pusha-2 at Sandhya Theatre in the city on December 4.
During the meeting, Revanth Reddy, without referring to the stampede, however, made it clear that celebrities should control their fans and that the government will not compromise on the maintenance of the law and order.
Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkatareddy and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka were with the chief minister.
Revanth unveils his vision of the big picture to Tollywood
Telangana Film Development Corporation chairman Dil Raju, who is also a well-known producer, acted as the mediator between the government and the film industry.
The bigwigs of the film industry who attended the meeting included Akkineni Nagarjuna, Daggubati Venkatesh, Allu Arvind, K Raghavendra Rao and M Murali Mohan.
The chief minister said that the film industry had brought their problems to the attention of the government and shared their doubts, misconceptions and ideas.
He emphasised the need for Telugu tinsel world to create a global brand image and that he was ready to do what all is in his capacity to help the industry prosper.
Revanth Reddy said that the government accords the same importance to the film industry as it does to the IT and pharma sectors. He recalled the government’s decision to present Gaddar film awards and the appointment of noted film producer Dil Raju as the TGFDC Chairman to coordinate between the government and the film industry.
Appealing to the film industry to promote the government’s initiatives, he underscored the need for its support to promote eco-tourism and temple tourism in the state and cooperate with the government to attract investments to the state.
The film industry should take the responsibility of educating people and create awareness on social issues including drug menace, the chief minister said.
Explaining how Mumbai became the hub of Bollywood on account of the favourable conditions that prevailed there, he said he wanted Hyderabad too should emerge as the best cosmopolitan city hospitable for the growth of the film industry.
Revanth said he would take steps to develop infrastructure to attract even Hollywood and Bollywood producers to shoot in Hyderabad. He wanted the directors and producers to ponder over the proposal and get back to him with their ideas.
The chief minister said that he would organise major conferences to attract other film industries to shoot in Hyderabad. “The government’s main objective is to promote the film industry to the next level. Previous Congress governments have done a lot for the film industry to flourish and the present government too will ensure the continuation of the policy. Our main intention is to promote the film industry,” he said.
Speaking to reporters later, Dil Raju said that benefit shows and increase of ticket prices were too small an issue to be raised at the meeting. “They are a very small part of the industry. Taking the Telugu cinemas to international level is what is more important and the government is committed to it.”
He said that the industry had agreed to participate and promote the government initiatives. They also conveyed their problems regarding shooting and other issues, he added.
Dil Raju said the chief minister had presented his vision for the Telugu film industry. “The chief minister wants to turn Hyderabad into an international hub for film industry,” Dil Raju said and pointed out that it meant that the government and the industry should work together. “The CM has stated that the government is ready to create infrastructure for Hollywood to shoot movies in Hyderabad,” he said.
During the course of the meeting, actor Akkineni Nagarjuna suggested that Hyderabad be made world cinema capital. He suggested to the government that it set up a studio of world standards. “If the government gives special incentives, the Telugu film industry will thrive,” he said.
Recalling that in the undivided Andhra Pradesh, the then chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu had organised an International Children’s Film Festival, he suggested to Revanth Reddy that an international film festival be held in Hyderabad.
