Film personalities from the Telangana state have decided not to speak in support of any political party. Though it is rumoured that political leaders of different parties have met various actors from the Telugu film industry and tried to elicit their support, many were not willing to oblige. A source close to a star hero says, “Most of the actors who were approached to campaign for parties during the elections have clearly said they want to stay away from politics. They want to focus on their careers and make the most of their market.”
Also, a political analyst says that politics has turned out to be “revengeful.” If a star campaigns for a party and it doesn’t come to power, then it might hamper his film chances. “He might be subjected to harassment, as was seen in several cases. So, keeping these things in view, Tollywood celebrities have refrained from taking part in Telangana election campaigns,” says the analyst.
Former MLC and member of BJP National Executive Committee, Ramchander Rao Naraparaju observes that film personalities are staying away from politics to avoid controversy. He says Telangana state has a unique situation wherein a celeb’s political stand impacts his image on the neighbouring Telugu-speaking state too. “Most actors are not inclined towards politics,” acknowledges Ramchander, stating that actors like Pawan Kalyan and Balakrishna campaign as political leaders and not as stars. He adds, “With Hyderabad being the centre for Telugu film industry and since most of the actors reside here (Hyderabad), they want to go easy on political issues.”
Ramchander further states that celebs know politicians personally but don’t want to endorse them publicly.
Producer Bandla Ganesh supports the Congress in the Telangana State elections. He feels that stars are apprehensive about endorsing a specific political outfit or a politician fearing backlash which may affect his film business market. “I have been a staunch supporter of the Congress since childhood, so I don’t have any qualms in endorsing it openly. But for stars it’s a tricky situation and they cannot endorse a political party because of the fear factor.”
Stars mum when Chandrababu was arrested
Since most of the actors’ assets are in Hyderabad, it is natural that they don’t want to take on any politician and invite trouble. Especially, when there’s ambiguity over which political party may come into power. Bhandaru Srinivas Rao, Senior political analyst, comments that no film star had commented when former chief minister Chandrababu Naidu was arrested recently — a clear case of being diplomatic.
“I think except for a few who are in a certain political party, none of the stars had even issued any statement on CBN’s arrest. Stars have realised the significance of being diplomatic,” says Srinivas.
Filmmaker Mahi V. Raghav who is making Yatra 2, a film that portrays Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s political rise from 2009-2019, asks why will stars risk their careers by openly endorsing a political outfit? He says that since stars have their businesses to run, they behave like businessmen. “How does it matter to celebs which party comes into power? Their interests have to be taken care of, so they employ a typical businessman approach,” Mahi expresses.
BJP in the South didn’t know how to utilise the film glamour. I have been active for four years and have extensively campaigned but all the efforts were in vain. So I have taken a break. As a result, the party is definitely missing out on the film glamour to attract people. So yes, filmy glamour in Telangana elections is literally zero and it’s unfortunate. Madhavi Latha, actress
‘Shooting in Chennai, so can’t campaign’
Actor Akash joined the BRS party in 2015, but is missing in action during the ongoing Telangana State elections. In fact, there were rumours that Akash had quit politics and has turned his focus on films full time. However, the actor states he is very much with the BRS party.
“I am doing several films in Chennai and hence it is getting tough for me to campaign in Hyderabad,” says the actor, clarifying that he is still in BRS. “I have also been getting calls from MLA’s and aspiring candidates to campaign for them in the elections. But my film commitments in Chennai are preventing me from coming to Hyderabad and campaign.”
“Most of the actors who were approached to campaign for parties during the elections have clearly said they want to stay away from politics. They want to focus on their careers and make the most of their market.” — A source
I think except for a few who are in a certain political party, none of the stars had even issued any statement on CBN’s arrest. Stars have realised the significance of being diplomatic — Bhandaru Srinivas Rao, Senior political analyst
