AP Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh announced on Sunday that the State government is carving out plans for the development of Telugu cinema. “We are well aware of the diverse landscape of divided Andhra Pradesh,” he said.
More than Telangana State, AP has the natural charm as it offers some picturesque biodiversity hotspots. Though films are being frequently shot in Andhra Pradesh, there is no proper film infrastructure in the State, the Minister said. Under the leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, the State government is mulling to bring about a film policy in setting up film studios, dubbing theatres, re-recording theatres and other infrastructure in the State.
The State government is taking up welfare programmes keeping in view the development of Telugu cinema. “In the very near future, Visakhapatnam city will have all the required infrastructure on the lines of Hyderabad as far as cinema is concerned. The government is committed to revive the Nandi Awards and strive for the welfare of Telugu film industry. In this regard, a meeting will be organised with artistes, film stars, filmmakers and producers to carve out the plan of action,” the Minister said.
The revival of the prestigious Nandi Awards is long overdue. Over the past few decades, the Nandi Awards are considered the highest recognition for excellence in Telugu cinema. However, the revival of the event took a backseat due to political controversies or inordinate delays especially post the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in 2014.
Post the bifurcation, the awards became exclusive to the Andhra Pradesh government, while Telangana is expected to establish its own version.In 2024, it may be recalled that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced that the Telangana government would organise ‘Gaddar Awards’ in place of the Nandi Awards to acknowledge the talent in Telugu cinema, theatre, and television fields. However, the government didn’t come with a plan. Although both the Telugu speaking States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have been making announcements time and again, there seems to be concrete steps taken in relaunching the awards.
