Telugu Film Industry Banking High on AP Government

Vijayawada: Telugu film industry has high expectations from the TD-JS-BJP alliance government. The industry is hoping the government will extend all support to further develop the industry in AP.

Above all, the Telugu film industry is considering that having Pawan Kalyan, a top film actor, as the Deputy Chief Minister in AP will surely add value.

Several Telugu films are being produced in the state owing to the presence of beautiful locations in parts of erstwhile Godavari districts, curvaceous Godavari River, lush green plains and valleys, agency areas with thick cover of greenery, sand dunes, the famous tourism centre Papikondalu, beaches of Visakhapatnam and parts of Rayalaseema areas.

But a major disadvantage is that the state has no film processing and post-production facilities. There has been a long-pending demand for developing a film studio and providing requisite amenities for film production in the state.

Recently, a delegation of film producers called on Pawan Kalyan and congratulated him for becoming the Deputy CM. They reportedly sought his favour towards promoting the film industry in Andhra Pradesh.

Telugu film industry sources recall that the first film studio in AP had been set up in Rajamahendravaram when AP was part of Madras Presidency. The studio got forgotten when the focus shifted on developing the film industry in then Madras.

Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce vice-president M. Rama Dasu said, “We are hopeful the new government will come up with an initiative to develop necessary infrastructure to promote the Telugu film industry in AP.”

As minister for cinematography Kandula Durgesh hails from Rajamahendravaram, a section of leaders from the industry are having high expectations from him to prevail upon the state government to develop the industry in the state.

Sources in the Telugu film industry say the state government is planning to develop a film studio in Visakhapatnam on a 300-acre site. It even intends to provide house sites or houses to film actors, directors, producers and others to ensure that at least 40 per cent of film production takes place in AP, while the remaining 60 per cent remains in Hyderabad.

Film distributor Athi Satyanarayana said, “We are going to request the state government to set up a film studio in Rajamahendravaram also, as the first studio had been built in this town.”

East Godavari Film Distributors Association honorary president Challa Sankara Rao said, “We appeal to the state government to develop several tourism centres in a big way. This will make them more attractive and provide a conducive atmosphere for film production, thereby developing the film industry in the state.”