My responsibility to enforce law, no personal preferences: CM Revanth Reddy tells Tollywood biggies

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had sent a stern message to the Telugu film industry that his government will not compromise on law and order and it is filmmakers responsibility to control the fans.

Amid the standoff between the government and the Telugu film industry following the arrest of actor Allu Arjun, Tollywood biggies on Thursday met the chief minister at the police command control centre in Banjara Hills. State DGP Dr Jitender, who was also in the meeting, is said to have told the Tollywood delegation to rein in bouncers they hire to protect the celebrity actors.

Top actors like Akkineni Nagarjuna and Daggubati Venkatesh, producers, and directors were part of the delegation that had met the chief minister. Allu Arjun's father, renowned producer Allu Arvind, was also present in the meeting.

Revanth Reddy said a cabinet subcommittee will be constituted to study the problems being faced by Tollywood. The chief minister told the delegation that the government has been with the film industry and reminded them of the special orders given for eight movies that were released in the last few months to hike ticket prices. He also highlighted that police grounds were given to hold an event related to Pushpa-2.

“The government decided to create a new brand image for the Telugu film industry and ensure the industry prospered. On the lines of IT and Pharma, the government accorded equal importance to the film industry. Already announced to present Gaddar film awards. Appointed noted film producer Dil Raju as the FDC chairman to coordinate between the government and film industry. A Cabinet Sub-Committee will be constituted to resolve the problems of the film industry. Industry will also form a committee,” said Revanth Reddy.

Highlighting that the film crew and actors can reach Hyderabad within 2 hours after completing shooting, he appealed to the film industry to promote eco-tourism and temple tourism. He emphasised that Mumbai became the hub of Bollywood due to the favorable conditions there.

“Hyderabad is the best city among all cosmopolitan cities. We are initiating steps to bring Hollywood and Bollywood to Hyderabad. We are striving to host significant conferences that will draw in other film industries to Hyderabad. The government's main objective is to promote the film industry to the next level. The film industry should take the responsibility of educating people and creating awareness on social issues, including drugs and the ganja menace. Previous Congress governments have done a lot for the development of the film industry, and the present government will continue the legacy. Our main intention is to promote the film industry, said Revanth Reddy.

“As the Chief Minister, it is my responsibility to enforce the laws. I do not have any personal preferences. Let us all develop the film industry together without confining it to Telugu only. The government is ready to extend all support to the film industry," he added.

Congress asks leaders to keep mum

The BJP's attempt to capitalise on the political storm surrounding Tollywood actor Allu Arjun's arrest, has prompted the Congress to issue internal directives to its leaders to remain silent. The Congress leadership has instructed its leaders to refrain from speaking on the issue.

Sources in the Congress Party pointed out that PCC chief B Mahesh Goud has sent oral internal instructions to the party cadre and leaders not to talk and discuss the Allu Arjun episode openly.

The party leadership believed that the situation had escalated from a law and order issue to a political one, particularly between the Congress government and the Telugu film industry, due to the opposition parties.

To defuse the situation, the PCC chief instructed its leaders to refrain from reacting to the issue in the future.