It appears Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu is not very keen on attracting Telugu film industry to Andhra Pradesh in the near future.
It was evident from his statement while talking to reporters at Amaravati on the New Year Day.
He said cinema industry is not an immediate priority for the state at the moment and his focus would be entirely on what truly matters right now.
Naidu stated that Hyderabad has now become a hub for cinema and emphasized that the overseas market for Indian films has significantly expanded. So, there is no point in disturbing the film industry right now.
The chief minister’s observations appear to be more pragmatic as the Telugu film industry is deeply routed in Hyderabad and it is extremely difficult for it to shift to Andhra Pradesh lock, stock and barrel.
Moreover, the Naidu government is not in a position to provide massive incentives to the film industry at present, including lands and other facilities. However, he can still provide incentives for the industry people to make films in Andhra Pradesh.
After the latest Allu Arjun episode in Hyderabad, there was a talk that the film industry might look forward to shifting its base to Andhra Pradesh.
Some film representatives might meet Naidu and deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan to seek their support for shifting the industry.
Some producers like Lagadapati Sridhar expressed optimism about a shift in the film industry to Andhra Pradesh using Pawan Kalyan’s influence.
He, however, said it cannot be done overnight, but it can happen gradually by stepping up film shootings in the state.
“About 50% of films will be shot in AP to capture these real locations, but a complete shift will take time,” he said.
He also emphasized the need for the Andhra Pradesh government to develop infrastructure to attract filmmakers.
According to him, Telugu cinema is one of India’s largest industries, producing pan-India films and drawing global attention.
To support this, Andhra Pradesh needs state-of-the-art facilities like studios, post-production centers, and VFX studios.
“While Vizag has a studio, more such facilities are necessary. These would not only attract filmmakers but also provide jobs to local talent, reducing the need for actors and technicians to relocate from places like Rajahmundry or Vizag,” Sridhar explained.