TOLLYWOOD COMING TO VIJAYAWADA

                TOLLYWOOD SHIFTS TO VIJAYAWADA

   

  After the bifurcation of the State, many people were wondering as to why Tollywood was not being wooed to Andhra by Chandrababu Naidu.

Rather, it was KCR who announced a film city which in all likelihood will not see the light of day. But the film industry is abuzz with speculation now that Tollywood has finally received the summons from Chandrababu Naidu.  

  Apparently, a top producer of Tollywood who is also a studio owner is the key man and Naidu’s interlocutor in this matter. Naidu wants the industry to come up in Amaravathi and there are many benefits to the decision to relocate the industry there. The first major problem is that of land. Thousands of acres are needed for studios and that much land is not available in Vizag. 

  If the industry shifts to Amaravathi, much employment will be generated locally and will boost the floating population in the area. The tourism in and around the area will also improve tremendously. Hence Naidu has reportedly expressed his intentions to the key members of the film fraternity through this producer. But obviously this is not a move that can happen overnight. Hence Naidu is also believed to be collecting feedback on the pros and cons of this proposed move.

   How will this impact the business of Tollywood especially in Nizam area if the industry moves away from Hyderabad? What benefits is Tollywood expecting from the AP government for shifting base, in terms of land, subsidies, taxation etc?

     While those who have already settled in Hyderabad and have assets here might find the decision tough, younger producers and new entrants are keener on shifting to Andhra.With the master plan for the capital region to be finalized soon, Naidu understandably wants to settle the issue as soon as possible. Hence, the elders in Tollywood are having serious discussions on the matter.

What about Ramoji Rao?

  The only person that KCR currently fears is Ramoji Rao. Why? We have no idea on what ace Ramoji Rao has up his sleeve, but apparently it is dangerous enough to make KCR go in person to meet him and arrive at a compromise. So, will Naidu’s decision not affect Ramoji’s film city? No, is the answer from industry sources.

  In the first place, Naidu would not have taken such a decision without Ramoji’s consent. Besides, Ramoji intends to develop his film city as more of a tourist destination than a studio.

    Anyway, the number of Bollywood and Tamil films being shot at RFC has increased considerably. And once his ‘Om City’ at RFC gets underway, his successors will be rich until the end of ‘Kaliyug’.

   The money being generated from Tollywood is peanuts for Ramoji. Besides, he can easily construct another studio in Andhra.

So, by all accounts Naidu has an important role in mind for Tollywood in the new capital region and chances are that the industry will oblige.