Is Kollywood more outspoken than Tollywood? Are our superstars, star directors and others indifferent to issues that affect our people? Compared with Tamil cinema's artistes, are Telugu celebs less socially sensitive? Are our icons more selfish?

What makes one even ask these inconvenient questions? Their track records.

First the positive aspect of the story:

Kollywood's responses to issues that affect its people are praiseworthy. There may be differences among them, but while their means are different, their focus is single-minded when push comes to shove.

Over the years, we have seen how almost the entire Tamil film industry went out of its way with respect to the Cauvery issue. Leaving aside the pros and cons of celebs influencing public opinion on such complex issues, it is admirable that they take efforts to take a stand on what they believe is right.

The Jallikattu issue that exploded in January this year is a fresh example. We saw every one from Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan to Vijay, Suriya and Vikram expressing their support to public agitation in favour of the traditional sport. Some of them took pains to reach out to protestors, supplying them with necessities like food, water, etc at Marina Beach.

Latest, the taxation issue has seen many reacting strongly against the proposed entertainment tax in addition to GST. Although there are comments that many big stars are yet to be vocal about the serious issue, influential voices like director Shankar have made their voices heard.

Sorry case of Tollywood:

Tollywood's activism just doesn't compare with Kollywood's. Even those who have been in politics are largely not bothered about the health of the industry and how a tax reform like GST is going to affect it.

Their humanitarian outlook is not being contested here in toto. They pro-actively came on one platform to support the government when Vizag was ruined by a terrible cyclone in 2014.

However, when it comes to issues like Special Cateogry Status for Andhra Pradesh, for example, Tollywoodians are largely too cautious or simply indifferent.

One star who is into politics feels strongly about SCS, but he himself is yet to ask his fellow film personalities to support the cause.

By and large, as a people, we are less politically vocal, compared to, say, Tamilians and Bengalis. That said, one is surprised more Tollywoodians have expressed their view on Demonetization than on issues that have a direct bearing on their own film industry!

When are our stars going to wake up?