Telugu film industry’s crisis: Junior artists, workers cry for help

In June, Megastar Chiranjeevi, SS Rajamouli, Dil Raju, Akkineni Nagarjuna and others procured shooting permissions from the governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.  Ironically, the movies of these very people are yet to go on the floors.  ‘Acharya’ is not on the floors.  Jr NTR-Ram Charan’s ‘RRR’ is not on the floors.  Nagarjuna’s ‘Wild Dog’ is not on the floors.  It’s because the situation is helpless.  Big-ticket films need at least a hundred people to be there on the set.  In times of the pandemic, that’s a luxury and could turn out to be a costly blunder if the infection spreads out on the set.

The undue delays have meant that junior artists, cine workers and technicians have been left in the lurch.  A special story done by BBC News Telugu brings out the plight of hundreds of such people who are dependent on the Telugu film industry.  Vasavi, a junior artist, broke down and said, “Everyone is regretting that we are working in this industry during the pandemic.  The situation is terrible, we have been left with no income.  Because of the social distancing-related restrictions where 10 juniors used to get employment, now only half of them stand any hope.”

Character artist Chitram Sreenu, speaking to the media house, said, “Because of the pandemic, no big-ticket movie has recommenced shooting.  Yes, some industry elders have been helping cine workers.  But nobody can say for how long this helping hand will be there.”

Actor Kadambari Kiran has been helping out needy workers through Manam Saitham.  “We are unable to seek monetary donations for our association because nobody has got money these days,” Kiran says.

The film industry’s worst phase is mind-numbing!