The Telugu film industry is now in for some big worry, much like the rest of the film industry in the country. It's because the R-value (which indicates the speed at which COVID-19 infection is spreading in the country) of coronavirus has increased of late. After falling through May, June and most of the month of July, it is more than 1.

As per experts, if R-value is more than 1, active cases will grow slowly and surely. Of course, neither Andhra Pradesh nor Telangana is among the eight States where the R-value is more than 1 currently. But, given the experience of the second wave, the Telugu States too will join the list of States where the R-value will go up, joining the league of States in the throes of an expected third wave.

As per a credible mathematical model, the third wave will surface in two or three weeks from now. Which means that even the August movie releases are staring at a spurt in cases at this rate. What then will happen to the likes of 'Tuck Jagadish', 'Love Story', 'Seetimaar', 'Virata Parvam', 'Paagal' and the like?

Even if the KCR and Jagan governments don't shut down theatres, the aforementioned films will shy away from arriving at the cinemas out of the legitimate fear that audiences might not watch them in cinema halls.

All in all, the rising R-value should worry the Telugu film industry.