Telangana Government Forms Cabinet Sub-Committee to Address Concerns of Telugu Film Industry, Including Allu Arjun’s Case

Hyderabad, 27th December 2024: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed the state’s commitment to supporting the Telugu film industry on Thursday, announcing plans to position Hyderabad as a hub for international film shoots.

Speaking to a delegation of Telugu film professionals, Reddy emphasized that the film industry is as crucial to the government as the IT and pharmaceutical sectors. The meeting came amid speculation about strained relations between the Congress-led government and the film industry, particularly following the arrest of top actor Allu Arjun in connection with the December 4 theatre stampede.

Reddy revealed that a cabinet sub-committee would be formed to address industry concerns, and he encouraged the film community to create a panel to handle relevant matters. The government is also exploring ways to attract filmmakers from Hollywood and Bollywood to Hyderabad and is considering organizing a major convention to promote the city as a destination for film shoots.

“We aim to elevate the Telugu film industry to the next level,” he said. Additionally, Reddy emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and highlighted the film industry’s role in addressing social issues, such as drug abuse.

Venkata Ramana Reddy, a prominent producer and Chairman of the Telangana Film Development Corporation (FDC), also noted that film shoots from various Indian languages, including Bollywood, Tamil, and Kannada, are already taking place in Hyderabad. He explained that the CM is keen to receive suggestions from the industry to encourage Hollywood filmmakers to bring their projects to the city.

The CM specifically asked for input on how to attract Hollywood filmmakers, and Dil Raju, representing the industry, assured that the film community would provide recommendations. Both the government and industry will work together to make Hyderabad a global cinema hub.

Regarding other issues, such as benefit shows and ticket price hikes, Dil Raju stated that while these matters are important, the broader goal is to elevate Telugu cinema internationally and make Hyderabad a prominent centre for film production. “Time will reveal the outcomes,” he added.