Tollywood star and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has once again grabbed headlines with a sharp and sarcastic statement released on Saturday. His note, which many believe is aimed at the Telugu film industry, has gained significance especially in the context of the ongoing controversy surrounding his period film Hari Hara Veera Mallu. Fans of Pawan Kalyan are reportedly planning a theatre bandh (strike) from June 1st, protesting the alleged industry neglect of the film’s release.
Starting his note with a reference to the NDA alliance’s rise to power, Pawan Kalyan clearly stated that there will be no more personal meetings with government officials going forward. “Henceforth, any interaction regarding industry issues will happen only through official channels,” he asserted. This statement comes at a time when the Telugu film industry has been accused of maintaining silence on key matters.
Pawan did not hold back in calling out Tollywood’s indifference on serious issues like single-screen sharing, GST/tax filing, and ticket pricing reforms. He also took a dig at the dominance of a few industry bigwigs who, according to him, control key decisions that affect small filmmakers and others in the fraternity. His words appear to reflect deep dissatisfaction with how industry politics are being played.
Needless to say, Pawan Kalyan’s fiery note has sent shockwaves across the film circles. It signals a possible shift in how the film industry will engage with the political landscape in Andhra Pradesh. Stay tuned to 123Telugu for more updates on this unexpected political-film industry crossover.