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Film industry to stay put in Hyderabad
Film Industry To Stay Put In Hyderabad. Hyderabad has been the nerve centre of Tollywood (Telugu Film Industry) from the time it shifted its base from Chennai. With the bifurcation of the state, there was some confusion initially whether to shift the industry to Seemandhra.
Seemandhra lacks infrastructure, skilled labour, technicians etc
The shifting boils down to subsidies and tax benefits offered by the two governments
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Hyderabad has been the nerve centre of Tollywood (Telugu Film Industry) from the time it shifted its base from Chennai. With the bifurcation of the state, there was some confusion initially whether to shift the industry to Seemandhra.
However, sources say that Tollywood has no such plans as of now. The film chamber is now awaiting the results of polls in both the states and for the government to be formed. The subsidies and benefits would finally influence the big decision. The city and its outskirts have established studios and have quality technicians---everything required to make a film. Apart from Ramanaidu Cine Studios in Visakhapatnam, Seemandhra doesn’t have the necessary infrastructure for film making and creating infrastructure takes years, which is an advantage to the city. Prior to the polls, the big wigs of the industry met the leaders of all the parties and discussed the measures to be initiated to develop the film industry in both the states.
The industry met the Congress, TRS and other parties to explain what measures would have to be taken to develop the film industry in Telangana and Seemandhra.
Tollywood swears by Hyderabad
Ace producer Suresh Babu, in a recent interview, admitted that there was confusion prevailing over the status. “Only a few shifted here, because of the love for the land. Most shifted their base from Chennai because of the tax benefits offered when Marri Chenna Reddy and NT Rama Rao were Chief Ministers. It all boils down to the subsidies and tax benefits offered by the two governments. We have requested the top leaders in both the regions to keep the taxes same but that is unlikely,” he said.
Suresh Babu stated that the people who have settled here are unlikely to move. “If the tax benefits are more in Seemandhra, then there would be some movement. Even the growth and development of the film industry depends on tax benefits like slashing of entertainment and sales tax. Going by the current trade statistics, Nizam area (Telangana) contributes to 35 per cent and Seemandhra 65 per cent. Both regions have to complement each other for the growth of the industry,” he added.
However, it is the lack of required infrastructure that quashes the possibility of a shift of the industry to Seemandhra. To invite the film industry, the government would have to create infrastructure and provide facilities, including land and other amenities. The industry is also not sure as up to what extent the government in Seemandhra would be extending its helping hand.
Clarifying the speculation of the shift of the film industry to Seemandhra region, noted actor Nagarjuna said, “It is too early to say if the industry will shift or how it is going to be in future.
There may be new studios built in Seemandhra. But the four walls of the studio do not make an industry. For the industry to shift from Chennai to Hyderabad it took so long. Annapurna Studios was built in 1974, but it wasn’t until 1990 that the industry formally shifted. Film making needs skilled labour, technicians etc., the human resource – the workforce cannot be built overnight.”
Echoing the same, veteran director Dasari Narayana Rao said, “ Industry was in Madras (Chennai) till the 90s. Only after the then Chief Minister Chenna Reddy assured us some sops in writing, we’ve shifted to the city in 1991. Around 90 per cent of the films are shot in the city. Ramoji Film City too played a key role in putting the city on the international map. Today there is no need for infrastructure to be developed across Andhra Pradesh. But tomorrow the need might crop up.”
Many in the industry are citing the example of Bollywood. Mumbai is the nerve centre of Hindi films, which are screened all over the nation. They expect the same to be with Tollywood. Hyderabad is the nerve centre and the films cater to the audience in both the states.
