Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s sudden love for Tollywood surprises film fraternity, Congress leaders

His sudden outreach to the Telugu film industry, including honouring Allu Arjun and inviting Nagarjuna, has surprised many. The shift comes months after his public criticism of film personalities, prompting speculation over political timing amid Andhra Pradesh’s Tollywood engagement

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s sudden ‘U-turn’ and overtures to Tollywood on Saturday left many, including Congress leaders and Telugu film personalities, surprised.

In December 2024, the Chief Minister had strongly criticised popular actor Allu Arjun over the Sandhya Theatre stampede incident. He also lashed out at several film personalities who visited the actor after his release on bail.

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At the time, Revanth Reddy made it clear that film celebrities would receive no special privileges and asserted that there would be no cinema ticket price hike in Telangana.

It wasn’t just the Chief Minister — several of his Cabinet colleagues also took critical positions. Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister D Anasuya even questioned the decision to confer a National Award on Allu Arjun for his performance in Pushpa.

Even before the Allu Arjun controversy, the Hyderabad Disaster Management and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) demolished actor A Nagarjuna’s N Convention in Madhapur in August, stating it had been constructed on the Full Tank Level area of Thammidikunta Lake.

In October, Nagarjuna filed a criminal defamation complaint against Forest Minister Konda Surekha over her remarks involving his son, actor Naga Chaitanya, and their family.

Months later, seemingly aware of the fallout from his earlier statements, the Chief Minister began extending an olive branch to the Telugu film industry. He invited Nagarjuna to a dinner hosted for Miss World contestants at Chowmohalla Palace, and on Saturday, presented the Telangana Gaddar Film Award for Best Leading Actor to Allu Arjun.

Addressing the gathering, Revanth Reddy urged film personalities to “put the past behind” and collaborate with the State government in its developmental efforts. He also assured full support to the Telugu film industry.

Interestingly, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan were scheduled to meet Tollywood bigwigs in Amaravati on Sunday to discuss industry-related concerns. However, reports say the meeting was postponed for various reasons.

The timing of Revanth Reddy’s outreach has sparked speculation that it may have been influenced by his Andhra counterpart’s proposed engagement with the film industry.