Tollywood finds itself under unexpected pressure—not from outside forces, but from within—following a strong statement by actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan. There have been reports going around that some parts of the Telugu film industry are gearing up for a subtle counterstrike or boycott in coordination with the release of his highly anticipated period actioner Hari Hara Veera Mallu. This rumour has not gone down well with the recently appointed Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
Praised for his long-standing patronage of the Telugu film community, Pawan Kalyan is said to have expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of cohesion among top stars, directors, and producers, particularly after the TDP-alliance came back to power vowing to address industry-related problems that had accumulated over the past five years. According to sources close to Pawan, he is upset that none of the big names of Tollywood have come forward to greet Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu or thank the government for its positive attitude.
Taking a decisive step, Pawan Kalyan has made it clear that the government will now only interact with officially recognized film industry bodies, steering away from backdoor negotiations or influence from individual producers. The goal, he emphasized, is to streamline communication and ensure fair representation for the entire film industry.
In another major move, the AP government will soon launch a statewide audit of cinema theaters, focusing on ticket pricing, food and beverage costs, and audience facilities. This decision comes after questions were raised by Pawan regarding the disproportionate benefits enjoyed by some during the previous regime, particularly when ticket prices were hiked, and whether proper taxes were paid in return.
With Hari Hara Veera Mallu gearing up for release and political equations shifting, Pawan Kalyan’s stance is seen as both a wake-up call and a warning to the film fraternity. As someone who straddles both cinema and politics, he appears determined to ensure that industry welfare doesn’t come at the cost of silence, bias, or backroom politics.
