A press release from the office of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has ignited heated debate within the Telugu film industry. Beginning with a sarcastic “thank you” to Tollywood for a so-called “return gift,” the letter signaled a firm shift in how the state government plans to engage with the industry moving forward.Pawan Kalyan expressed disappointment that, even after a year in power, no representatives from the film fraternity had formally met Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. He described this lack of basic courtesy as a serious issue.The statement declared that henceforth, no individual meetings would be entertained with producers or directors regarding matters such as ticket pricing or film releases. Instead, all communication must go through recognized film associations—effectively ending the practice of personal lobbying for commercial benefits. The note also criticized the industry’s silence on several pressing issues, including lack of transparency in theater revenues, tax compliance, subpar infrastructure in both single-screen and multiplex cinemas, and confusion over ticket pricing regulations.Meanwhile, former Minister Perni Nani slammed Pawan Kalyan, accusing him of meddling in the film industry’s internal matters and using his political clout to benefit the release of his upcoming film, Hari Hara Veera Mallu, scheduled for June 12. Nani alleged that Pawan’s call for investigations into recent theater closures was an attempt to pressure exhibitors for a smoother release. “Why is he inserting himself into disputes among producers, exhibitors, and distributors? If there were real issues, he could have postponed his film,” Nani argued.Nani also questioned whether Pawan had consulted industry stakeholders before issuing such statements, suggesting the aggressive posture might be an attempt to compensate for possible concerns about the film’s performance. “Maybe the film isn’t strong enough, so he’s resorting to pressure tactics,” he added.A top producer, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that Pawan Kalyan was frustrated with certain members of the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce for not engaging constructively with the Andhra Pradesh government. “We need the backing of both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Andhra alone contributes about 70% of our revenue. We have to be mindful of our actions and words,” he said.Commenting on the political ramifications, veteran filmmaker M.S. Raju noted, “Now that Pawan is the Deputy Chief Minister, political backlash is inevitable. His opponents will scrutinize even minor missteps and blow them out of proportion. Unlike in the past, when he was just a superstar, he now faces dual expectations—from the public and from politics.”However, Raju also acknowledged the upside. “Pawan Kalyan remains a massive crowd-puller. His political stature could boost the box office. Hari Hara Veera Mallu will open strongly due to his star power and Deputy CM status, and if the content is solid, it will sustain a long run,” he said.When asked for his opinion on Pawan Kalyan’s letter, Raju declined to comment, saying, “I haven’t read it yet,” and cut the conversation short.
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