Hyderabad, Feb.4 (RAHNUMA): The State government accords the highest priority to the Telugu film industry and is working with the vision of making Hyderabad the national hub of the film industry, said Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka.
He was speaking at the meeting of the jury members of the Gaddar Film Awards held at the Secretariat on Wednesday.
The Deputy Chief Minister stated that cities like Bombay, Kolkata, and Chennai do not have much scope for further expansion of the film industry, whereas Hyderabad has many favourable factors for film industries of all languages across the country to grow and flourish.
“If film industries of all languages move to Hyderabad, it will generate employment opportunities for the youth of the state, including technicians, writers, and directors. Hyderabad will emerge as a global centre for the film market, he said, adding that the government will prepare a detailed blueprint in this regard.
He noted that the previous government neglected film awards for several decades. In contrast, the Praja government under the leadership of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has revived film awards to encourage the cinema sector, which has a powerful influence in bringing about social change.
Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka described Gaddar as a great personality who sacrificed his life for society through art. He said Telangana represents art, revolution, questioning, sensitivity, love, and compassion, and that Gaddar was a towering figure who showcased Telangana’s art and culture to the world. That is why the government started presenting film awards in his name from last year to promote the cinema sector.
He assured that talent and transparency would be the sole criteria for the selection of film awards and recalled that the jury members last year earned widespread appreciation for conducting the selection process with excellence.
Considering the experience, commitment, and passion of eminent personalities from the film industry, the government, through the Film Development Corporation (FDC), consulted all stakeholders and appointed the jury members. He assured that the government would extend complete cooperation wherever required.
He suggested that while selecting films for the Gaddar Awards, care should be taken to ensure that, along with commercial elements, a strong social message is also present, which would encourage meaningful cinema in the coming days.
Bhatti Vikramarka announced that the screening of films for the Gaddar Film Awards will begin from February 6, and the awards distribution ceremony will be held grandly by the state government on March 19, on the occasion of the Ugadi festival.
The meeting was attended by Film Development Corporation Chairman Dil Raju, I&PR Commissioner Priyanka, FDC Executive Director Kishore Babu, and noted film personalities Tanikella Bharani, K.S. Rama Rao, Roja Ramani, Ashok Kumar, among others.
