Partiality in death?

Hyderabad: There’s a certain whiff of partiality in the way the Telugu film industry is bidding goodbye to its legends. Recently, when actor M.S. Narayana passed away, the film industry and its representatives didn’t hold the traditional condolence meeting, even telling the grieving family that it had stopped the practice. However, when it came to legendary producer Dr D. Ramanaidu a few months later, the TFI held a condolence meet at the Film Chamber Building. Though one can’t compare M.S. Narayana to D. Ramanaidu in terms of contribution, when you make a rule, it should be for everybody. And as veterans in the industry, both have equal standing and respect.

In fact, Thammareddy Bharadwaj had approached the Movie Aristes’ Association for a meet on the late M.S. Narayana. “Yes, I had asked them to have  a condolence meet for M.S. Narayana. But they told me that they had stopped this practice,” says Thammareddy. He also explained a rather bizarre rule the industry implements when it deals with deaths.

If a producer dies, the Producers’ Council takes up the initiative, if the person is a director, the Directors’ Association does so and if the individual is an actor then the MAA will hold the condolence meet. Ramanaidu was popular as a producer so last Friday, the Producers’ Council held the meet.

“But what sort of message are we sending out?

“This will give a negative picture to the public. They don’t know that the film industry has different associations and different rules... they assume all events are organised by the film industry as a collective,” says Thammareddy.

It’s also strange to note that M.S. Narayana worked as a director, actor, producer and writer and his passing was simply given a miss due to rules.

“I feel the industry should come forward and do these meetings together. If it’s left to groups, they are sending out the wrong picture,” adds Thammareddy.