Tollywood Divided On Politics

Tollywood seems to be headed for a split along political lines with Chiranjeevi deciding to launch his own political party. Even though the actor claimed that the entire Telugu film industry will support his political move, the situation on the ground appears to be different. When Chiranjeevi announced his political plans, the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, was busy in Vizag inaugurating a film studio set up by star producer D. Ramanaidu, father of film actor Venkatesh.

Ramanaidu who was earlier elected to the Lok Sabha on the TD ticket is now maintaining a distance from that party and is now reportedly leaning towards the Congress. Apart from the actor couple Rajasekhar and Jeevitha, yesteryear heroine Jayasudha has already joined the Congress. Star director Dasari Narayana Rao has been with the Congress for long. The ruling party is also reportedly planning to use the services of actor Mahesh Babu, son of actor Krishna in the next elections.

The Telugu Desam president, Mr Chandrababu Naidu, who has actors from the NTR family to counter the impact of Chiranjeevi, held discussions with film personalities like K. Raghavendra Rao, C. Ashwini Datt and Murali Mohan. According to the TD sources, Mr Naidu has been trying to bring the TD sympathisers in Tinsel town on one platform so as to avail their services in the coming elections.

On the other hand Chiranjeevi, who has the backing of his actor brothers Nagendra Babu and Pavan Kalyan and brother-in-law film producer Allu Aravind, is reportedly planning to use the services of film actor Suhasini for the new outfit. With as many as three groups in Tollywood in support of three different political parties, stage is all set for “star wars” in the 2009 elections.