CM Revanth’s film workers’ meeting sees poor attendance, yet promises land, ticket hike

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, eyeing the Jubilee Hills bypoll, announced a series of welfare measures for film workers at a sparsely attended meeting in Yousufguda. Despite the low turnout, he reversed his earlier stance on ticket pricing and proposed land allotment, a school, and a Rs 10 crore welfare fund

Hyderabad: With an evident eye on the Jubilee Hills bypoll, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday announced a slew of measures for film workers, even as the meeting he addressed at Yousufguda saw a poor turnout.

Despite taking a U-turn from his earlier stand that the Congress government would not permit hikes in ticket fares, the meeting saw very few attendees, with most chairs left empty and several participants leaving midway. Only a few known faces, including producers Dil Raju and director Harish Shankar, were present.

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Unfazed by the sparse attendance, the Chief Minister went ahead with his announcements, stating that the government would soon issue orders allowing cinema ticket price hikes, provided that 20 percent of the additional benefits were shared with film workers.

Revanth Reddy announced that land would be allotted for film workers in the proposed Bharat Future City and directed officials to identify three to four acres in Krishnanagar toDil Raju  establish a school for the children of film workers.

He also urged the 24 Crafts union leaders to set up a Film Workers Welfare Fund, with the State government contributing Rs.10 crore upfront. The fund, he said, should be used to support families of workers who suffer injuries or lose their lives.

“Extend your support to me and it will be my responsibility to get Hollywood to Hyderabad and compete with New York, Tokyo and Dubai,” Revanth Reddy said, adding that he would stand by them as a friend, likening himself to Karna’s character from the Mahabharata.