Dil Raju Denies Theater Bandh Rumors, Calls for Unity Amid Government Support

There has been an ongoing issue between producers and exhibitors regarding theaters for the past few days, and it has now shifted towards the Harihara Veeramallu movie. Seeing this issue escalating, and some people even mentioning the possibility of a theater bandh during the release of Harihara Veeramallu, Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan became serious about the film industry and theater issues. The Cinematography Minister Durgesh also took this seriously. Yesterday, producer Allu Aravind held a meeting about this issue, and today Dil Raju held one.

In the meeting, Dil Raju said that if problems are not resolved, they might call for a bandh, but no one has officially announced any bandh yet. Some people falsely connected my name to this. No one has the courage to stop Kalyan’s movie. The government also received wrong information. Minister Durgesh spoke with me, and I clarified that there is no theater bandh. I believe the government got incorrect information and there was a wrong communication.

For filmmakers, two governments matter. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth has appointed me as the Telangana Film Development Corporation president to act as a link between the government and the industry. Though I was busy and reluctant, they insisted I take the role. Earlier in Andhra Pradesh, everything was handled with fear. After Kalyan arrived, I, as chamber president, met with producers, and he gave full support. Ticket prices are increasing, and producers are now negotiating ticket rates. Some producers went to theaters that week, but not all together. No one considered this properly. Both governments are positively inclined toward the industry. There should be unity in the industry, and only with unity should we approach the governments, who are supportive.