Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan has voiced sharp criticism towards the Telugu film industry, expressing frustration over what he perceives as a lack of courtesy and unity within its ranks.
Despite the formation of the new coalition government nearly a year ago, Pawan Kalyan reportedly pointed out that no prominent representatives from the Telugu film associations have paid a formal visit to the Chief Minister.
“It’s been almost a year—have any film industry representatives made a basic courtesy call to the CM?” he reportedly asked, signaling his deep dissatisfaction.
The remarks, made during an internal review, have sent ripples through both political and cinematic circles, sparking intense debate about the relationship between the industry and the government.
Industry Insider Reacts
Adding fuel to the discussion, noted producer Bunny Vasu took to social media platform ‘X’ to share his thoughts. His cryptic but pointed message highlighted internal tensions in the industry:
“Politics in the film industry are often silent, yet very deep. It’s time producers, distributors, and exhibitors acknowledge that the industry is being crushed by these silent politics,” he wrote.
“If we’ve managed to alienate someone who rose from our own industry to the position of Deputy Chief Minister, we must question the state of our unity.”
Bunny Vasu’s candid statement quickly gained traction, becoming a hot topic across Tollywood, with many insiders echoing concerns over the lack of cohesion and political awareness among industry stakeholders.
Tension Between Cinema and State?
This latest exchange has reignited the debate on whether the Telugu film industry maintains sufficient engagement with the government, especially when one of their own—Pawan Kalyan—holds such a significant political office.
As discussions intensify, both within political corridors and Tollywood boardrooms, many are now questioning if the industry needs to recalibrate its relationship with the state leadership.
