Telugu film industry backs out from Indian Cinema's Centenary Celebrations

Topmost actors from South are reportedly pulling out from Indian Cinema's Centenary Celebrations but organisers from the Southern film fraternity are still trying hard to save their face at the final stage. The Telugu Cinema Chapter at the upcoming grand event on September 22 is not at all happening as of now.

It has been learnt that MAA (Movie Artistes Association) has issued an order which forbids Telugu actors from participating in the four-day celebrations commencing on September 21.Murali Mohan, president of MAA, clarified that "the issue is being discussed."The reason according to Murali is “the ensuing social unrest in the state (Andhra Pradesh) over the proposed bifurcation of Telangana.” Though, several stars didn’t mind performing at the ongoing SIIMA (South Indian International Movie Awards) despite the state’s political crisis. Murali reasoned, "It is a commercial event. The artistes are getting paid to perform there."

It was heard earlier that Tollywood superstars will be performing at the centenary celebrations but now everything looks uncertain. They are also not attending the rehearsals. According to a source from the organising committee, "The rehearsals were supposed to begin from September 7, but Nagarjuna, Venkatesh and Balakrishna — who had earlier agreed to perform — have not been rehearsing. It only implies that they will not be performing.” The source added on a sad note, "With the stars backing out, we are struggling to put together a plan B. The chances are, it will turn out to be like another stereotypical Tollywood audio launch show.” The source went on, "The artistes are demanding the committee to make travel and boarding arrangements, if they want them to make a presence as guests," adding more, "Some other bigwigs want to come only if they are being honoured by the President of India."To add to the fuel, it has also been learnt thatUnion Tourism Minister Chiranjeevi and Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy will also not attend the ceremony. As a replacement deputy chief minister D. Rajanarasimha and minister for information and public relations, DK Aruna would turn up at the event.