Date:05/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/05/stories/2008050557650600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Panel likely to look into small film makers’ woes

Special Correspondent

128 film producers felicitated at Dasari Narayana Rao’s birthday

-PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU

Jubilance in the air: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy felicitating Dasari Narayana Rao on his 62nd birthday celebrations in Hyderabad on Saturday.

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Sunday promised to constitute a committee to look into the problems faced by makers of small films owing to differential ticket pricing.

Participating in the 62nd birthday celebrations of popular Telugu film maker and former Union Minister Dasari Narayana Rao here, Dr. Reddy said the committee could examine whether the option for big films to increase ticket price in the first two weeks of the release needed to be continued, as this was hitting the small films.

Responding to Mr. Rao’s request, the Chief Minister said, “Government is with you and will accept whatever you think is good for the industry.”

Margin money waiver

Mr. Rao also sought waiver of Rs. 22 crore margin money to be paid to the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority by 4,000 workers in the film industry who were identified as beneficiaries under the Indiramma housing scheme. Dr. Reddy said while total waiver would not be possible, he would ask officials to examine if a 20 or 30 per cent discount could be given to the beneficiaries.

Marking the birthday, 128 film producers were felicitated at the function attended by several film personalities including Jayaprada and Jayasudha, director K. Ragahvendra Rao. The break-up includes 97 producers for whom Mr. Rao directed 148 films and 21 producers in whose movies he essayed significant roles. Interestingly, Allu Arvind of Geeta Arts was also one among them. He walked away from the meeting a few minutes after the Chief Minister arrived. Akkineni family was conspicuous by its absence.

In addition, four awards - two to directors and two to journalists were given away. The Dasari Best Film Director Award - 2007 went to Sekhar Kammula for ‘Happy Days’ while the Best New Film Director Award - 2007 was given to V. Eeshwar Reddy for ‘Mee Sreyobhilashi’. Journalists Pasupuleti Rama Rao and Prabhu got the Best Film Journalist Awards - 2007.