Political unrest derails Telugu cinema

The season���s big ticket releases have been pushed back indefinitely due to Samaikyandhra agitations. Business to the tune of `250 crores is at stake for Tollywood.
The current political developments in the state seem to be having an adverse effect on Tollywood. Despite the hope that the Telangana bifurcation verdict will end the uncertainty over release dates, a fresh set of roadblocks has hit T-town.Several films which were lined up for release this monsoon, have been pushed back in the wake of current protests across various cities and towns in Seemandhra.
Fearing backlash, some of the most-awaited big-ticket releases like Pawan Kalyan���s Attarintiki Daredi, Ram Charan���s Yevadu, Nagarjuna���s Bhai, NTR Jr���s Ramayya Vastavayya, Charan���s Thoofan (Telugu version of Zanjeer), Venkatesh and Ram���s Golmaal, Nani���s Paisa etc., which were slated for release in August and September, have been pushed back indefinitely.
Huge loss for TFI
BVSN Prasad, producer of Pawan Kalyan���s Attarintiki Daredi, which was scheduled to release on August 9, says that it���s unfortunate to see political developments hurting the entertainment industry. ���We initially planned to release Attarintiki Daredi on August 7, but had to push it by a couple of days. But in view of the prevailing political uncertainties, we are forced to postpone the film���s release indefinitely now. We will review the situation and hope that things are restored back to normalcy soon. We will announce the revised date.��� Interestingly, most of the theatres, not only in Seemandhra, but in Telangana and other Telugu-speaking areas, are awaiting a Telugu film release since Sahasam in July 12.
Leading producer, distributor and exhibitor, D Suresh Babu says that the industry will face huge loss in revenue. ���Political unrest affects the whole industry and not just one or two films. Business to the tune of `250 crores is at stake in the next two months. This is crucial for the industry. Unfortunately, it���s unforeseen and we can���t help but wait it out until the situation calms down,��� says Suresh Babu.
NV Prasad, the newly-elected president of the Andhra Pradesh Film Chamber of Commerce (APFCC) agrees that the situation is serious for Tollyland. ���Not only the film industry, but other businesses too are being affecting due to the Samaikyandhra agitations. While protests are on in Seemandhra, the exhibitors in Telangana are suffering as well as there are no new movies to hit screens. We���re going to call for a meeting shortly to take stock of the situation.���
The problem this time around, says industry insiders, is the lack of a figure-head to speak to in the government to resolve the issue. ���The pro-Telangana protests were organised and one could give representations to a particular leader or a JAC Chairman. But the agitations in Seemandhra is driven by the people and we have no one to meet and speak to, to break the impasse,��� said a producer on conditions of anonymity.
Distributor's agony
While producers are scrambling for a release date, distributors too are feeling the heat. Suresh, one of the leading distributors and exhibitors from West Godavari says, ���Given the current political scenario in the state, screening of films is not a good idea. When there are wide protests across the region, it���ll be difficult for us to screen films even though the producers are willing to set a date. Theatres could be targeted. Crores of rupees are at stake here, and all we are left to do is wait for things to improve. A few exhibitors in Seemandhra region are screening only one or two shows of films in a day, as they fear some sort of backlash.���
Small films suffer too
While big ticket films are suffering, the scene for smaller movies is not good either. With Yevadu and Attarintiki Daredi announcing their release dates on July 31 and August 7 respectively, several small movies had pushed their releases to a later date. However, now that the release date of the Charan-starrer has been rescheduled to August 21 tentatively, other films are finding it tough to lock on a date. And now, small films too are left in a lurch.
Director Indraganti Mohan Krishna, whose movie, Anthaku Mundu aa Tharuvatha, was supposed to hit screens this August, says that they are looking at a fresh date to release the film. ���Our movie is nearing completion and we initially planned to release the film in August. However, with big ticket films being pushed back in the wake of current political developments, we have to re-work on our release date and plan accordingly.���
Hindi, Tamil films could benefit
Due to the lack of Telugu releases, films from Bollywood and Kollywood like Thalaivaa, Chennai Express, etc., have started to benefit. Exhibitors across Nizam area are planning to screen these films in a bigger way than earlier planned. ���I initially thought of screening a few big Telugu releases for a couple of weeks, but since they have been postponed, I have to look for an alternative. I���m now looking to screen either Thalaivaa or Chennai Express to compensate for the lack of a Telugu film���, says a Nizam distributor on the conditions of anonymity.