Chiranjeevi asks AP Govt not to target Tollywood, YSRCP gives vitriolic retort

VIJAYAWADA: Scores of YSRCP leaders on Tuesday reacted sharply to the comments made by Megastar Chiranjeevi that the Andhra Pradesh Government was unnecessarily targeting the film industry.

Gudivada MLA and former Minister Kodali Nani retorted that insignificant people shouldn't comment on politics. Nani also referred to people making such comments as "pakodi fellows" though he did not name Chiranjeevi.

"There are many pakodi fellows in the film industry who are advising how the AP Government should function. It would be better if they advise their own kin about concentrating on dance, fights and action scenes and leave politics to the rest," said Kodali Nani on Tuesday, in an apparent jibe at JSP Chief and Chiranjeevi's brother Pawan Kalyan.

The YSRCP leaders' comments come a day after Megastar Chiranjeevi lashed out at the Andhra Pradesh government for allegedly trying to disturb the Telugu film industry and its stars.

Recently, Irrigation Minister Ambati Rambabu sought a probe by the Enforcement Directorate into Pawan Kalyan's remuneration for his movie 'Bro'. The Minister alleged that funds were diverted from the United States of America to pay Pawan Kalyan and that the actor had evaded payment of income tax.

In an apparent response to the Minister's comments, Megastar Chiranjeevi on Monday said, “The Government should be more concerned about issues such as special status for Andhra Pradesh, roads, infrastructure, poverty alleviation, and providing employment to the youth. Instead of addressing these issues, targeting the film industry is quite below their stature.”

The Telugu film industry and the Andhra Pradesh Government have been at loggerheads for quite some time now. In 2022, the State decided to regulate ticket prices and introduced restrictions on shootings in the State. However the issue was put in cold storage soon after Chiranjeevi met Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy along with a delegation of top heroes and producers.

Apart from Kodali Nani, YSRCP MLA Perni Nani attacked Chiranjeevi too and said, "It was when Chiranjeevi was a Union Minister, injustice was done to the State (bifurcation).

"Which party did he represent when Special Status was not given?" he questioned.

Bapatla MP Nandigam Suresh too reacted strongly and tweeted,

"It was your brother (Pawan Kalyan) who actually started it and is indulging in mud-slinging. Tell him to control his tongue and we will look after how to bring Special Status to the State."