Indywood festival gives short-shrift to Telugu filmdom

Indywood festival gives short-shrift to Telugu filmdom
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Disappointment is writ large on the faces of Telangana and Telugu film fraternity with the Bollywood commandeering Indywood Film Carnvial which came to an end on Tuesday. Malayalam films too got some exposure, but the Telugu films drew a blank.  

Hyderabad: Disappointment is writ large on the faces of Telangana and Telugu film fraternity with the Bollywood commandeering Indywood Film Carnvial which came to an end on Tuesday. Malayalam films too got some exposure, but the Telugu films drew a blank.

Though the State government reportedly allotted between Rs 3 and 4 crore for the 4-day event, the organisers ignored the legendary Telugu actors and filmmakers. “There is a reason for Telugu filmmakers to feel let down” admitted producer-director Allani Sridhar, one of the delegates at the festival.

The absence of films starring legendary actors like NTR, ANR and works of B N Reddy and K V Reddy rendered the festival void of meaning. “It was an occasion to remember and recall the great works of legendary Telugu actors and filmmakers and an opportunity to showcase to the world the Telugu cinema.

We do have great regard for filmmakers like Satyajit Ray and Yash Chopra who were remembered during the event, but Telugu filmmakers were ignored’ he adds. According to a source, seasoned actor Rajendraprasad, president of Movie Artistes Association, and leading producer and president of Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce C Kalyan, were not even invited on to the stage and both of them felt slighted and even the screening of films was held in a make-shift screen in studio floors, instead of regular theatre, which marred viewing experience.

As if it is not enough, the screening of Bahahubali, which bagged national awards and one of the top-grosser in Indian cinema, was cancelled. “We heard that Baahubali which raised the bar on Telugu cinema would be screened but, was dropped,” said producer Sangisetty Dasarath.

“With involvement of TRS government, who spent such a big money for the event, we thought identity of Telangana cinema would get some special mileage, but we were disappointed since classics like Maa Bhoomi, Daasi and Komaram Bheem did not find place. We do not know who else will save the pride of Telangana cinema, if not KCR garu” he concluded.

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