Government vs Cinema… Will the Gap Narrow?

New governments have assumed office in the Telugu states. In Andhra Pradesh, Jagan’s government and in Telangana, KCR’s government are in power. However, there seems to be little impact on Tollywood. In Andhra Pradesh, permits have been issued for increased ticket rates, which is fine, but there have been no new incentives for the industry. The situation in Telangana is a bit more challenging, with the film industry seeming to bow down to the state’s government. Recently, the meeting with the Chief Minister didn’t bring any tangible benefits to Tollywood, leaving everyone confused about its outcome.

The relationship between the government and the film industry must remain strong for the benefit of Tollywood. Under Jagan’s government, there hasn’t been much change. Furthermore, there seems to be a lack of respect for the film industry, unlike under the previous coalition government. However, it is necessary for these relations to improve further. It is essential for the Andhra Pradesh government to clearly state what it plans to do for the film industry. Just as a meeting was held with Revanth Reddy in Telangana, similar meetings should happen in Andhra Pradesh too, to discuss what the film industry requires. While the AP government has shown some support for the industry, a stronger bridge is needed between the government and the filmmakers.

In Telangana, Dil Raju has taken on the responsibility of bridging the gap between the film industry and the government as the chairman of FDC. However, there still seems to be a gap that needs to be addressed. The government’s stance on ticket rate hikes will be clear with the upcoming Sankranti films. While Dil Raju claims that ticket rate hikes are not a major issue, there is still uncertainty about whether they will increase and by how much. This is particularly important because two of the three major films releasing this Sankranti are his productions, including the big-budget film Game Changer. Despite the claim that ticket hikes are not a big deal, there has been pressure in the past to raise rates.

At the end of the day, the agenda of the top producers is clear: ticket prices must go up. However, aside from this, there is a need for clarity on what else the Telangana government plans to do for Tollywood. In 2024, there are many things that Telugu cinema has yet to achieve, and these must be accomplished in the new year. The leaders of the industry must come together to figure out what steps to take. While it’s sometimes beneficial to step back, constantly staying behind can lead to the industry falling behind, which is something the cinema heads must recognize.