Showing posts with label Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce. Show all posts
Hanuman director Prasanth Varma denies Tollywood producers’ claims of failing to deliver films
9:28 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (November 4, 2025)
A couple of days after news emerged that a few Tollywood producers, including Hanuman (2024) production house M/S Primeshow Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., had complained to the Telugu Film Chamber that Prasanth Varma allegedly took advances and failed to deliver films, the director broke his silence.
Taking to X, Prasanth denied all allegations: “I categorically state that the allegations made against me are all false, baseless, and retaliatory.”
The 36-year-old pointed out that once a matter is in the industry forum, all parties are expected not to dispute it in the media. “Any attempt to publish internal pleadings, emails, agreements, or financial details at this stage amounts to interference with the proceedings and is clearly intended to prejudice public opinion,” he wrote. Prasanth also urged the media to refrain from publishing any further news until the Film Chamber announces the outcome.
The controversy dates back to October 11, when, in a letter addressed to the Telugu Film Producers Council, producer K Niranjan Reddy alleged that Prasanth did not honour his commitments despite having taken advances from him. The complaint states that while shooting for Hanuman in 2021, Prasanth had agreed with the producer to further collaborate on Adhira, Mahakali, Jai Hanuman, and Brahma Rakshas as part of the PVCU with him.
Lakshmi Manchu breaks silence after filiing a complaint over ageist and body-shaming remarks during an interview
9:48 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (September 18, 2025)
Actor Lakshmi Manchu recently called out a reporter during an interview with Great Andhra for repeatedly questioning her choice of clothing. The reporter suggested that the 47-year-old’s move to Mumbai had changed the way she dresses, to which Lakshmi responded by pointing out that she had lived in America before returning to Hyderabad and then relocating to Mumbai. She explained that she has worked hard to look the way she does and feels confident dressing as she pleases.
But the reporter persisted, bringing up her age and the fact that she’s a mother, implying that such choices naturally invite criticism. Lakshmi then responded with a question of her own: “Would you ask a man the same question? How dare you! How dare you ask me that question? Would you say, Mahesh Babu, you are 50 now, why are you going shirtless? Then, how do you ask a woman the same thing? People learn from what you have asked me here today. As a journalist, be more responsible in the position you take.”
She went on to highlight the double standards faced by women in the industry, saying, “I know a superstar’s ex-wife who’s still in the industry. After her divorce, the films she was once offered were taken away because they feel her ex-husband might feel bad. She is waiting for good work. A man will never face that; his life will never change. But as a woman, no one gives us freedom; we have to take it on our own.” While she didn’t name the actor, many online speculated she was referring to Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who was previously married to actor Naga Chaitanya.
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Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 22, 2025)
On September 16, actor and producer Lakshmi Manchu filed a complaint with the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) over alleged ageist and body-shaming remarks she faced during the promotions of her film, Daksha: The Deadly Conspiracy. She said that the incident happened on September 15 when an interview with a journalist for a local Telugu channel turned into a 20-minute ordeal where the questions centred on her appearance, clothes, and age.
In her complaint, terming the interview as “an attack”, Manchu wrote, “Instead of engaging with the film, the craft, or the effort behind bringing this project to life, he chose to belittle me — targeting my age, my body, my clothes... His questions had no intent of understanding my work; they were designed only to provoke, demean, and diminish.” She ended the letter by urging the chamber to take disciplinary action against the journalist.
Recalling the experience to mid-day, Manchu said that she had walked into the interview expecting a chat about her film, sharing screen space with her father Mohan Babu, and their craft. She shared, “But when the focus shifted to my personal life and my age, I realized the intent was not to celebrate cinema but to diminish me as a woman. As an artiste, I’m used to critiquing my work. But when it becomes personal and derogatory, it’s dehumanizing. I had to summon every bit of composure I had because reacting in anger would only feed the narrative he wanted.”
There is no room for body-shaming and ageism — that is the message the actor wants to send out by registering a complaint with the TFCC.
She said, “Subtle forms of body-shaming and ageism are something most women in our industry deal with regularly, whether it’s being told we’re ‘too old’, ‘too pretty’, or ‘too tall’ for certain roles or being compared unfairly to men who continue to be celebrated at every age. But this was the first time I encountered such targeted shaming in a professional interview. It was an abuse of the platform he was given.”
When asked about the kind of action she wants taken, she said, “I need an apology and accountability for the hurtful words he used.”
Telegu film federation goes on strike; demand 30% hike in wages
8:11 AM
Neeshita Nyayapati (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 5, 2025)
The Telugu Film Industry Employees’ Federation called for a strike on Monday, August 4, bringing film and web series shoots across Tollywood to a standstill. The federation is demanding a 30% wage hike for its members and has instructed workers not to report to sets unless producers agree to the revised rates.
In an official statement, the federation said, “Wages will be paid with a 30% hike starting Monday. Only those with written confirmation from producers will be permitted to shoot. Members cannot attend any shoots or events without federation approval, irrespective of location or language.”
In response, the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce issued a statement condemning the unilateral action. “We’ve already been paying workers above minimum wage,” it noted, warning that the disruption could cause “heavy damages” to ongoing productions.
The Chamber added, “We condemn this action taken by the Federation as we have worked together with their members of decades. The Chamber is in talks with relevant authorities to secure a sustainable resolution. Producers are informed to follow the Chamber’s guidance strictly and avoid independent action or separate agreements with union until resolution. Let’s all stand together for lasting reform, for a better future.”
Who all are impacted at the moment?
Tollywood has numerous films under production now, including Chiranjeevi’s yet-to-be-titled film with Anil Ravipudi, Ram Charan’s Peddi with Buchi Babu Sana, Balakrishna’s Akhanda 2 with Boyapati Srinu, Teja Sajja’s Mirai, Siddhu Jonnalagadda’s Telusu Kada and more. Also, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is in Hyderabad for S S Rajamouli’s SSMB 29, co-starring Mahesh Babu. Additionally, the pooja ceremony for Allari Naresh’s upcoming film was also postponed. With the new diktat that workers will only work with producers who will agree to the 30%, it remains to be seen if their demands are met.
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