Congress targeting Telugu film industry: Amit Malviya slams Revanth Reddy

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya slammed the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government in Telangana for allegedly targeting actors of the Telugu film industry, through coercion and extortion.

In Short

• Amit Malviya accuses Telangana government of targeting Telugu film stars
• Cites incidents involving Telugu stars like razing of Nagarjuna's convention centre
• Claims Revanth Reddy has become unpopular within a year of taking office

BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya has hit out at the Congress government in Telangana, accusing it of targeting the Telugu film industry through coercion and extortion. This comes amid a row over the death of a 35-year-old woman in a stampede at a Hyderabad theatre during the screening of Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2.

In a long X post, Malviya alleged that Telugu film stars and producers did not comply with "Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's attempts to exert control and extract money from them".

"Something troubling is unfolding in Telangana under the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government. The administration appears to be targeting Tollywood, one of India’s largest and most vibrant film industries, allegedly because Telugu superstars and film producers have refused to comply with the Chief Minister’s attempts to exert control and extract money from them," he wrote on Wednesday night.

Malviya cited recent incidents involving Telugu film stars like Nagarjuna, whose convention centre was demolished, and Telangana minister Konda Surekha making remarks against actor Samantha Prabhu over her divorce with fellow actor Naga Chaitanya.

"The controversy began with the demolition of superstar Nagarjuna's convention centre in Hyderabad. Subsequently, a sitting woman cabinet minister launched a personal attack on Samantha Prabhu, Nagarjuna’s now-estranged daughter-in-law and a successful actress in her own right. The campaign of harassment extended to veteran actor Mohan Babu, with his son allegedly being used to settle political scores. Most recently, Allu Arjun, another prominent Tollywood figure, has found himself in the crosshairs," Malviya said.

He also said that some of the top Telugu film stars were expected to meet Revanth Reddy on Thursday, "signalling that his pressure tactics may have succeeded".

"This situation in Telangana serves as a stark reminder for those who view Congress as a defender of free speech and expression. The party's actions suggest otherwise, revealing a pattern of extortion and coercion that targets livelihoods and reputations in its quest for power and wealth," the BJP IT cell chief said.

He asserted that the Congress government in Telangana had become "deeply unpopular" within a year over such incidents involving Telugu film stars.

"After just one year in office, the Revanth Reddy-led government has become deeply unpopular, with no significant achievements to its name. Telangana appears ready for a new chapter, with the BJP poised as a potential alternative," he said.

ALLU ARJUN QUESTIONED IN SANDHYA THEATRE STAMPEDE CASE

On Tuesday, Allu Arjun was questioned by Hyderabad Police for around four hours in connection with the death of the woman in a stampede during the premiere of his film, 'Pushpa 2: The Rise', at the Sandhya Theatre. During questioning, the actor said he came to know of the woman's death the next day, sources said.

On December 4, the woman, Revathi, died and her eight-year-old son was admitted to a hospital in a stampede that broke out when Arjun visited the Sandhya Theatre during the screening of Pushpa 2. The incident occurred as thousands of fans rushed to get a glimpse of the actor.

Following the incident, the police filed a case against the actor, his security team and the theatre management under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Arjun was arrested in connection with the case on December 13. Later on the same day, he got a four-week interim bail from the Telangana High Court. He was subsequently released from the prison on the morning of December 14.

Arjun and the makers of Pushpa 2 have announced a compensation of Rs 2 crore to the family of the child who was critically injured in the stampede.