Recent reports have emerged concerning a potential shutdown of movie theaters across Andhra Pradesh, coinciding with the imminent release of Pawan Kalyan's highly anticipated film, "Hari Hara Veera Mallu." This situation has triggered a wave of responses from industry insiders, government officials, and fans alike.
The initial reports suggested that exhibitors were planning to shut down theaters starting June 1st, raising concerns given that "Hari Hara Veera Mallu" is slated for release on June 12th. This led to speculation that the shutdown was a deliberate attempt to sabotage the film's release, potentially stemming from internal conflicts within the Telugu film industry, also known as Tollywood.
Andhra Pradesh's Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Cinematography, Kandula Durgesh, has taken swift action by ordering an official inquiry into the matter. He has directed Principal Secretary of the Home Department, Kumar Vishwajeet, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the decision by exhibitors to potentially close theaters. The Minister has also requested a thorough examination of whether a cartel of exhibitors and distributors is influencing decisions in a manner detrimental to film releases and state revenue. The inquiry aims to determine the number of films that would be affected by the shutdown and to assess the potential losses in tax revenue for the state.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Tollywood producer and exhibitor Dil Raju has publicly denied any plans to shut down theaters in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana ahead of Pawan Kalyan's movie release. He refuted the rumors, asserting that "no one has the guts" to impede the release of "Hari Hara Veera Mallu." Dil Raju, who also serves as the chairman of the Telangana State Film Development Corporation, has accused vested interests of spreading false information. He clarified that he was not involved in any meetings that decided to shut down theaters and that the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce had not signaled any such action.
Pawan Kalyan himself has weighed in on the issue, expressing disappointment and criticizing Tollywood for what he perceives as a lack of respect towards the TDP-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh. He pointed out that despite the government's efforts to support the film industry, there has been a lack of engagement and formal meetings between industry representatives and the Chief Minister.
Adding another layer, controversies surrounding Pawan Kalyan film releases are, according to Minister Durgesh, common. He has alleged that these issues are deliberately stirred up ahead of his films. Durgesh has assured the public that the government holds no vindictive intentions towards the film industry and is committed to its stability.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing investigations and conflicting statements from various stakeholders. The outcome of the inquiry ordered by Minister Durgesh is eagerly awaited, as it promises to shed light on the motivations behind the potential theater shutdown and whether there are any attempts to deliberately undermine the release of "Hari Hara Veera Mallu."
Meanwhile, fans of Pawan Kalyan are hoping that these obstacles will not affect the release of the film. They are optimistic that the actor, who now also serves as the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, will receive the support needed to ensure a smooth and successful launch for his movie. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the fate of the theater situation in Andhra Pradesh and the release of "Hari Hara Veera Mallu."
