TS film activists vandalise Film Chamber's office The Andhra Pradesh Film Chamber of Commerce office was vandalised by a group of Telangana film activists protesting the lease system of theatres on Friday. About 250 activists entered the office and resorted to acts of vandalism, breaking windows and damaging property, before the police stepped in to bring the situation under control.
Tollywood filmmaker and president of the Telangana Film and TV Producers Guild P Ramakrishna Goud carried out a week-long hunger strike protesting against the lease policy which, he said, was extremely hard on small time producers.
He alleged that a handful of producers have taken control over the theatres, denying access to small-budget producers. 'As many as 250 movies have been completed and are ready for release but have not been released as there are no theatres available. Certain theaters are demanding Rs 3,06,000 per week as lease, while taking Rs 1,00,00 from the owners,' Ramakrishna claimed.
He also urged the government to remove the tax of Rs 3 on each ticket. Pointing out that a group of individuals were monopolising the industry, he alleged that elections to the Film Chamber of Commerce were not being held regularly as per the law.
'As per the bylaws, elections are supposed to take place every year. However, it has been one year and five months and elections are yet to take place.
Moreover, all the general body meetings take place in locations such as Vizag, Vijayawada and Tirupati, while Hyderabad is totally ignored,' said Ramakrishna, who is also the secretary (producer sector) of the AP Film Chamber of Commerce.
After Ramakrishna completing his week-long hunger strike, Telangana transport minister P Mahender Reddy assured him that the matter would be resolved soon. 'The transport minister has said that they will be meeting the chief minister to discuss this matter. Hopefully, the issue will be resolved over the next couple of days,' Ramakrishna added.
News Posted: 25 October, 2014
|