After years, Tollywood is back where it grew up

Once all South Indian films were shot in Chennai; now Telangana stir is sending Telugu shoots south again

Once all South Indian films were shot in Chennai; now Telangana stir is sending Telugu shoots south again

Once upon a time, all South Indian films would be made in Chennai, a phenomenon attributed to the facilities available there in those days. Then, films in languages other than Tamil moved to their respective states as these slowly gained the requisite facilities. Now, at least for Tollywood, it may be back to Chennai again, thanks to the Telangana agitation that is making it impossible to shoot in Andhra Pradesh.

Interrupted: Shoot of Mahesh Babu's film directed by Trivikram Srinivas was disrupted near Vikrabad.

Industry insiders say some films have already begun shooting in the ECR Road area in Chennai.

The Telangana violence has hit the Telugu film industry, also known as Tollywood, and it is suffering such huge financial losses because of disruptions that producers, actors and directors have made the big decision to move their shoots to Tamil Nadu.

Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) activists recently barged into a gated-community where shooting was in progress, and allegedly damaged film equipment and attacked some of the crew. Shoots of Manchu Manoj, Allu Arjun and other artists were also disrupted. There was an incident near Vikrabad as well, at the shooting of actor Mahesh Babu's film that is being directed by Trivikram Srinivas.

Also, careers of top heroes, including Nagarjuna, Venkatesh, Junior NTR, Ravi Teja, Mahesh Babu and Pavan Kalyan, and an estimated Rs 150 crore are at stake because of the ongoing political crisis and violence.

In just the first 20 days since the Telungana issue rocked the state with all its force, the Telugu film industry suffered an estimated loss of Rs 35-40 crore as audiences dwindled in theatres.

Movies lined up

Movies lined up for this month and those expected to be ready for release soon include NTR Junior-starrer 'Adhurs' , Shekar Kammula directed 'Leader' that introduces D Rama Naidu's grandson Rana as hero, 'KD' starring Nagarjuna, 'Shambo Shiva Shambo' starring Ravi Teja and 'Namo Venkatesa' starring Venkatesh. In addition, Mahesh Babu's film and Pavan Kalyan's film are also in the making.