Consensus eludes the strife-torn multi-crore Telugu film industry which seems to be heading for more trouble in the days to come.
Bifurcation of the State into Telangana and Andhra Pradesh has wreaked havoc on Andhra Pradesh Film Chamber of Commerce (APFCC) with members of Telangana demanding separation on the lines of State division. The rift has widened amidst acrimony witnessed at the two general body meetings of the Chamber. Friday’s meeting, the second one in a row, remained inconclusive with members of the Telangana Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) sticking to their guns on the issue of parting ways. “The TFCC represents the 10 districts of Telangana. Likewise, we want a separate Chamber to represent the 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh,” TFCC president M. Vijayender Reddy, told The Hindu over phone. “To sort out the issues, we have constituted a committee comprising five members each from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The committee will meet this month-end to arrive at an agreement,” said Mr. Reddy.
A group of students from Osmania University descended on the venue and raised slogans in support of the Telangana Chamber further deteriorating the situation.
“Producers will be the worst hit by the developments. A producer first registers a film title with the film chamber and based on the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by it, he applies for a censor certificate. Tax benefits and subsidies also are given based on this NOC. In the given scenario, where will the AP producers go?” wonders R. V. Bhupal Prasad, AP Film Chamber’s executive committee member. “There is no clarity on key issues. Elections to the Chamber had to be postponed due to the stalemate. Telangana members now want more seats. How can we have two chambers for films of one language,” says K. Siva Prasad, secretary of Vijayawada Film Chamber of Commerce.
Robust sectorThe Telugu film industry is one of the most robust sector and trade analysts fear that bifurcation blues may debilitate it beyond anybody’ imagination.
