Andhra lays out red carpet for stars after Revanth Reddy slams Allu Arjun, Tollywood-Read

Welcomes Telugu film industry to shift its operations to neighbouring State, which is home to ‘many scenic locations for film shootings’

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s outburst on the Telugu film fraternity in connection with the Sandhya theatre incident might turn detrimental to Telangana, with Andhra Pradesh quick to welcome the Telugu film industry to shift its operations to the neighbouring State.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president Palla Srinivasa Rao was among the first to do so, stating that the Telugu film industry would be welcomed if it was willing to relocate from Hyderabad to Andhra Pradesh.

In the past, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan had also wanted the Telugu film industry to shift its base to Andhra. There are many scenic locations and ideal spots for film shootings in Andhra Pradesh, Srinivasa Rao said.

This invitation was extended by the TDP president amidst the ongoing controversy over Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2 movie benefit show screening at Sandhya theatre and the death of a woman in a stampede. On Sunday, a few students from Osmania University staged protest at the actor’s house in Jubilee Hills and damaged flower pots and other items.

Meanwhile, the entire episode is now taking a political twist, with leaders from different parties finding fault with the Congress government for its selective action in the case.

BJP MP from Andhra Pradesh D Purandeswari said it was wrong to specifically target Allu Arjun and blame him for the incident. The Sandhya theatre incident was not instigated, but was an unfortunate incident, she said.

According to reports, Purandeswari also said while other accused persons in the case were not arrested, Allu Arjun, who was A11 in the case, was arrested. “This is incorrect,” she said.

TDP spokesperson Jyothsna Tirunagiri also came down heavily on the Revanth Reddy government for its selective action. Tagging the Telangana Chief Minister in a post on X, she said “Your action in the Allu Arjun issue is good, but who should be responsible for students’ death in Telangana government hostels? Who is responsible for death of farmers’ whose crop loans were not waived and Sircilla weavers’ suicides?”

Wanted to ask a question from yesterday @revanth_anumula sir In the case of Allu Arjun, your government's initiative is bad, but who is responsible for the deaths of children who died due to pud poison in government hostels in Telangana? Who is responsible for the lives of farmers who died without loan waiver?

— JYOTHSNA TIRUNAGARI (@jyothsna_tdp) December 22, 2024

“There is enough time to discuss the Allu Arjun issue in the Assembly, but there is no time to discuss farmers’ issues, students’ issues, weavers’ issues, SSA workers issues. This is called selective justice and probably diversion tactics Mr CM!” Jyothsna added.