Andhra Pradesh to have its own film industry soon

Rajahmundry: AP will soon have its own film industry. Initially, low-budget films may be shot in Visakhapatnam, which has a better environment and infrastructure than Amaravati at present.

There was speculation that the Telugu film industry, popularly known as Tollywood, would shift to AP after bifurcation. However, sources from the Telugu film industry say that there is no need for such a shift as the people of both states speak Telugu.

Hyderabad in Telangana is attractive to the Telugu film industry as well as Bollywood because of Ramoji Film City, which offers them all the necessary infrastructure. AP will have to start from scratch to develop a film industry of its own.

Film actor and MP M. Murali Mohan says, “There is no need for the Telugu film industry to be shifted from Hyderabad in Telangana to AP, as both states have Telugu-speaking people and the TS Government is encouraging and promoting the film industry. The AP Government is planning to develop the requisite facilities in a phased manner, at a suitable place such as Visakhapatnam, Amara-vati, or any other place suggested by the CM.”

Sources from the film industry say that AP has the potential to have films shot there, especially in Visakhapatnam which has a picturesque seashore, hilly areas, shipyards, quarries, and ancient structures. The neighbouring Araku Valley almost matches up to Ooty.  The Konaseema area, which is just 180 km away from Visakhapatnam, has beautiful coconut plantations, lush green paddy fields, and small streams.

Directors usually prefer to shoot in places that are located close to each other because moving the shoot equipment and crew from place to place is a time-consuming and expensive task. The ambience in and around Visakhapatnam is suitable for romantic scenes, action scenes, as well as songs.

Eight years ago, film producer Late D. Ramanaidu set up a film studio in Visakhapatnam, but no film was shot there until recently. Satirical drama film Gopala Gopala starring Pawan Kalyan and Venkatesh was shot there under the banner of Suresh Productions, a film production and distribution company was set up by Ramanaidu, and North Star Entertainment.

Experts say that the development of facilities such as a dubbing studio, a recording studio and a graphics studio will attract producers, directors, artists and actors.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has been briefed about the necessity of the establishment of a film industry in the state, and he has reportedly said that he will look into the matter soon.