MAA to witness a golden era: Manchu Vishnu announces poll manifesto
Actor Manchu Vishnu who is involved in a keen fight in the coming elections for MAA Movie Artistes’ Association (MAA), promised a a golden era for movie artistes in the years to come. Announcing his manifesto on Thursday, Vishu who is contesting for MAA president’s post, listed out several welfare programmes that he will take […]
Actor Manchu Vishnu who is involved in a keen fight in the coming elections for MAA Movie Artistes’ Association (MAA), promised a a golden era for movie artistes in the years to come.
Announcing his manifesto on Thursday, Vishu who is contesting for MAA president’s post, listed out several welfare programmes that he will take up soon after assuming charge as MAA president.
Vishnu’s manifresto firstly promises opportunities for movie artistes who have been struggling without work. An android app “MAA” will be set up with Internet Movie Data Base (IMDB) to facilitate movie offers for actors, he said.
“It will have all the information of casting calls and portfolios of actors. The access will be only provided to directors, film producers, writers, production executives. A job committee would be constituted to tie up with film producers, OTT platforms in order to get employment opportunities,” he said.
Another key feature of the maniresto is the establishment of a permanent building for the association. “The building isn’t for our 26-member MAA panel , it’s for the entire MAA family. This building will be built with my own money. Three locations have been identified so far. After taking due suggestions from association bigwigs, we will move ahead. It’s not for the sake of stop-gap arrangement. Keeping the future in view, the building will get started in my term. By next term, it will be completed,” he added.
Vishnu said his panel will make eligible artistes realise their dream of building their own house. “By consulting the State government, I promise to provide them with the dream of building their own house.”
Assuring free-health insurance for every MAA member, he said, “In the present insurance scheme, half the amount is paid by MAA while the other half is to be paid by the member. After my win, I will ensure that every MAA member gets health insurance for free. It would be a better cover than the previous one.” His panel has also consulted several hospitals like KIMS, Continental, Apollo, Sunshine, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology.
Vishnu further assured KG to PG education for the children of movie artistes and Kalyana Lakshmi, the welfare scheme, for providing financial assistance for poor artistes. Vishnu said that Rs 1.16 lakh will be provided to poor and eligible artistes and added that for the first time in the MAA history, a high-power women grievance cell will be set up in order to render round-the-clock protection for single mothers or single women in the film industry.
For the welfare of aged artistes, the Vishnu’s panel will increase the pension from the existing Rs 6,000 per month. “Soon after assuming charge, a survey will be taken up with the help of NGO to obtain details of aged artistes and secure them more pension than what they have been getting now. NBFC also provides a special fund that caters to the artistes – such options will also be explored,” he added.
Keeping in view the pandemic situation, the MAA membership fee will be decreased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 75,000 to encourage new artistes into the MAA fold. “Artistes have suffered a lot during the pandemic. Their pay has dwindled,” he added. Towards MAA Utsvalu, the celebration of Telugu cinema, a special fund will be set, he said. Vishnu said he would explore options like availing the welfare schemes from the State government and Central governments for the betterment of MAA.
He further said that Movie Artistes Association members would get 50 per cent scholarship in Mohan Babu Film Institute that is starting from June 2020.
“We have spoken with the existing film institutes on obtaining scholarships. And finally, soon after winning the MAA polls, I along with my panel would meet both the State governments to seek their continuous support for the Telugu film industry and hereafter, the association would witness a golden era soon,” he concluded.
