Movie Artists Association (MAA) is planning restrict other state actors in the Telugu films. Speaking to media MAA president Murali Mohan said "We are going to ask Tollywood Producers Council to restrict the number of other state Artists to two other than heroine. It will provide rightful opportunities to our Telugu artists in our films."
But, many in the industry doubts whether is it possible to implement this decision, because some actors like Prakash Raj, Srikanth, Sayaji Shinde, Asish Vidyarthi, Telangana Shakuntala, Kovai Sarala and many others were almost absorbed and considered as natives of our Telugu film industry and it is highly impossible to see them otherwise, even for the audiences. Let us see how the industry reacts to this MAA proposal.
TTD plans to restrict devotees for one time a year Darshan?
2011/2/5 10:59:34 TTD Executive Officer Krishna Rao in an interview to a leading news channel has said “Everyday near about 1 lakh devotees are coming to Tirupati. But, none of them were fortunate to have Darshan of Lord Balaji for more than few seconds. There are hundreds of devotees who return home even without having a Darshan of the God. All our efforts to provide Darshan of Lord Balaji gives us no satisfactory results, it is because of the high inflow of the devotees. We know that there are thousands of devotees who often visit Tirupati for at least once a year and there are thousands of others who at least visits twice or thrice a year. So, I thought that if we could restrict these frequent visitors to once a year, it may reduce the inflow of the devotees thus allowing the others to have Darshan of the God. But, it is just an idea that is still under consideration, but not a final one.”
In addition to this idea, the letter written by TTD Board to Archeology department asking it to take the possession of the temple was yet another reason for ire of the devotees. Many of them criticizing the TTD Board have said “If, they are inefficient and incapable to look after this ancient temple, they better quit their jobs at the earliest.”
2011/10/28 6:09:08 Veteran actress and YSR Congress party member Roja, who is staying away from party activities since last few months, has attended the state level meeting of its Artists at Hyderabad on Friday. Vangapandu Usha, Vijaychandar and many other artists from all over the state have participated in this meeting. They have elected conveners for the party cultural wing.
2011/9/23 2:48:42 Telangana Movie Artists Association has announced that from today (Saturday) onwards they also will join the ongoing general strike and asked rest of the artists and film makers not to go on with their shooting activities, otherwise, they will be forced to disrupt the shootings.
On the other side, Tollywood producers' council also has asked its members to complete all their movie shootings before October 31st and not to start any new movies before this period as they also want to halt the shootings, in protest against the unreasonable demands being made by film employees unions. So, the Tollywood is cornered from both sides now. Either it has to shift its activities to any other parts of the state or it has to stop making films until all the problems are solved.
2011/11/5 1:47:21 Hardly there is four or five genuine Telugu woman in the Tollywood who were also confined to play sister or sister-in-law roles but surely not a single heroine. It is because, the producers, directors and actors are more interested to import new girls from other places than trying from native state. Perhaps, it is because of their limitations in doing the skin shows due to their traditional background. But, the girls dropping from other places have no objections for skin shows. So, they got the edge over the Telugu girls.
Veteran actor Kota Srinivasa Rao, who attends the audio release function of 'Swamy Satyananda' speaking on the occasion, has said "We can justify if actors like Nanapatekar and Naseerudden Shah are roped-into our films. But, we are importing the useless and faceless artists from other states. We are training them and also paying them huge amounts as their remuneration for acting in our films. I think it is a very silly practice continuing in our industry. Our own artists are being betrayed of their chances in the Telugu film industry because of others. I feel cry when I see this situation. I am afraid to think about our Tollywood's future and our artists' role in it. I am not making this statement with selfishness and I never act according to my remuneration or the budget of the movie. There is a rule for the Telugu film and I simply follow it while doing the films. I appeal the producers and directors to think about our industry and encourage native artists."
2007/10/11 13:54:35 The state government is contemplating to phase out autos from Hyderabad roads in the next four years. The government will restrict autos to the outer limits of the city just like the seven seater autos.
In their place, cabs will be introduced. The government will facilitate easy loans for the auto drivers to purchase cabs. In cities like Mumbai, autos are not allowed within the city. Only cabs area allowed to ply in the city limits.
2007/11/10 7:52:07 The Telangana Rashtra Samithi will conduct a big dance and cultural show on November 15 at Hyderabad. The cultural show will showcase the life and culture of Telangana. More than 5,000 folk artists from Telangana will take part in the event. The TRS will also install the Telangana Talli statue at the Telangana Bhavan in Hyderabad on November 15.
A cultural extravaganza involving Kollywood stars is scheduled to be held in Malaysia and Singapore on the 21st and 23rd of December respectively. This event is basically to commemorate seventy five years of Tamil cinema wherein more than two hundred artists will be taking part
The proceeds from this event will be utilized for Nadigar Sangam’s building and to help poor and the needy artists of the industry.
When President Sarathkumar was contacted, he had this to say, “I am very happy that the diamond jubilee of Tamil cinema is going to be held in Expo grounds, Singapore and Shah Alam auditorium in Malaysia. Dance master Kala will be choreographing the event. Many artists have warm heartedly agreed to render their cooperation to this event. As Rajini and Kamal are busy in their film commitments, they have expressed their inability to join in this function and we are definitely going to miss them”.
He also added that Nadigar Sangam will not be forcing any artists to take part in the event. When asked about the names of stars who would be participating, he said that Vijay, Vikram, Surya, Madhavan, Dhanush, Simbu, Shreya, Namitha, Sneha, Trisha, Bhavna, Simran along with other artists will be rocking in Singapore and Malaysia.
2011/1/11 10:10:13 Jagan addressing the media has said “Being a gentle man I stick to my word and didn’t have any intentions or plans to destabilize the state Government. Would I have that idea I could have done it long time ago. But, I am gentleman who prefers to stick to my promise. Let the father-brought-government rule the state until 2014 and face the elections. Whoever, comes my side will contest on my party ticket and on my party symbol. We will see what happens then. I have no interest to have alliance with BJP.”
2007/8/1 12:48:01 Union finance minister P Chidamabaram accompanied Prime Minster Manmohan Singh long with planning commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia for a review meeting in Hyderabad on Tuesday. This is the first time that the PM is undertaking a review of the work being done by a state government.
The state government presented before the PM the state government’s plans to attract investment for projects in the state. Ten big projects are in the pipeline and P Chidambaram was very impressed with the work being done by the state government for wooing FDI.
Recently, director-choreographer Farah Khan wanted a make-up artist called Namrata to work on the characters of Om Shanti Om, but the head of the make-up artist’s union raised an objection because she is a woman.
The union has a rule against allowing female make-up artists to work in the industry.
“Finally, Farah gave in, however, she got Namrata to work on the special effects, when her characters age,” says an insider
Adds an industry source, “During Dil Chahta Hai, there were so times when the female make up artists had to be hidden whenever union members barged in to create a ruckus.”
Make-up artists and even production houses are afraid of the union members who threaten to create complications in the shoot if a female make-up artist is hired, says an assistant director.
“It’s against the constitution to discriminate anyone based on their gender,” says Farah, “I had to fight to get Namrata to be a part of my film. Last time she did the hair, but this time I wanted her to do the make-up as well.
“Had she headed the make-up artists in my film, there were possibilities that the assistants [men] wouldn’t have been available or obeyed her instructions. It’s funny that a woman can travel in space, but she cannot do make up in a film.”
Farah says even the Indian Motion Pictures Association (IMPA) is not willing to do anything about the men who create these restrictions. “This rule seems 200 years old, and I’m not going to let my film suffer,” she says.
Though Farah says she’s willing to support these women in every way, she thinks the women need to stand up for themselves.
“Here I, a woman,” she says, “am making a Rs 40-crore film, but I am not allowed to hire a woman for the make up. The next president of India could be a female, we had a lady prime minister but this is the state of women still.
“A woman cannot be a sperm donor, but besides that, she can be everything.”
Pandharidada Juker, who has made up names such as Meena Kumari and Dharmendra over the last 42 years with Yash Raj Films, says that’s the way things are.
“Yes, there is a rule that women cannot be make up artists,” he says, “We haven’t made them members of the association yet. There are around 3,000 male make up artists already, and no woman can just come up and do the make up.
“Actors favour girls, which will create problems for us. Too many men will lose their jobs. Only a court case can change things.”
To be a part of the Make-up artists union, one has to get a card made and invest Rs 50,000 to 75,000.
“The union is not at all reasonable,” says an assistant director, “Rules are made to safeguard the interests of the older members. They are aggressive, ancient and male-dominated in their approach.”
2011/11/5 11:18:14 Maverick director Ram Gopal Varma has come to ABN TV Studio to speak about his upcoming movie 'Bejawada' which is releasing on 24th of this month.
There, responding to Kota Srinivasa Rao demand of taking local artists in the Telugu films, RGV said 'Selecting artists is the job of concerned producer and director and it is solely depends on their personal interests and on what they need for their movie. Hence no one else can interfere in it or dictate them whom to select for their film. If a producer thinks that someone from the other industry is fit for his film character, then he is free to select him or her, because he is making the film with his investment. One can't insist the producer to take local talent in the name of language or state. Once the film is released with his choice of artists then the audiences will decide whether the film is fit for watching or not. I follow this rule for my films."
Replying to another question he said "We can't assume a director would be great forever. If, a director makes a great film his credit is limited to that particular film only. Later, he may deliver dud films like me. Then also we can't call him great director. Once, I have made a super hit movie 'Shiva' and later made many dud films. So, Ramu shouldn't be considered as a great director. Instead it should be said, "Ramu has made a good film Shiva." So, the credit confines to that particular film only and surely it is not a personal credit.
2011/10/29 1:22:28 Bollywood sexy siren Rakhi Sawanth has complaints against Censor Board. She is fuming against it for removing some spicy lyrics from her item song in her latest Hindi movie 'Loot.' Censor Board has removed the lyrics 'Jawani ki Bank Loot le' from the song objecting it is vulgar. Rakhi said the board members are very partial towards some artists in Bollywood. "They let some artists go very vulgar in their songs, while nabbing artists like me. For example, John Abraham's performance in 'Jak Maarke' song in his 'Desi Boys' movie and the lyrics of the song is more vulgar than my item song. Yet, the Censor Board allowed his song without any cuts, where as it find fault with my song and its lyrics. How can the responsible Board members show indifference to my film and what makes them allow others to do the same?"
2007/11/26 3:54:27 Kadapa already boasts of an airport. But the state government plans to build another airport in Kadapa. The land for the new airport is being acquired by the government at a breakneck speed.
The government plans to acquire bout 3,200 acres of land in Ambavaram near Jammalamadugu in Kadapa. Reports say that the contract for the construction of the airport is being awarded to G Janardhan Reddy of Brahmani steels.
2008/4/15 8:47:44 In Tollywood, many actresses are depending on their mothers more than their PAs. The arrangement suits both the artists and their mothers very well. While mothers can spend time with their daughters and look after their welfare personally. for the artists, it drives away their loneliness, particularly when they are away from home for long periods in connection with shootings.
Actors like Ileana, Genelia, Nayantara, Shriya etc. utilize the services of their mothers. These star mothers handle everything for their super star daughters, right from costumes to diet to fixing up interviews and negotiating with producers. What is more, they also share the same room with their daughters, thereby reducing the burden on the producers.
2011/8/9 7:49:03 Tollywood’s Movie Artists Association (MAA) seems to be engaged in a bitter battle among its members. General Secretary Ahuti Prasad and Executive Committee Vice President Vijay Kumar have sent their resignation letters to their president Murali Mohan. It came to know that, there were differences among the Committee members over maintaining accounts, membership issues of other states artists and some other issues. However, another member Kadhambari Kiran has said it is an internal matter of the Association and it will be solved during the next meeting.
The Sivaji mania that gripped the state is slowly subsiding. The film has completed two weeks and tickets are now freely available. The film is still going strong in places like Hyderabad and Visakhapatnm. But in small towns in the state the film is not attracting viewers.
The weak story and the mixed talk has resulted in the interest in the film waning. The Telugu audience has only two artists in the film with whom they can relate to- Rajnikanth and Suman.
Serving as Chairman of Movie Artists Associarion, ( MAA) for two years, the support and services extended by the members has been satisfying said Dr Mohan Babu. Press meet organized at the Film Chambers on Friday said that, after being elected as president two years back with the able support of the members some important programs have been taken up successfully. Mainly the Star Cricket which was a grand success and the collections put in fixed deposits. Working against exploitation in the film Industry and rallies taken against it and petition given to the Chief Minister. Support to the Senior Artists was extended by MAA. Mohan Babu thanked all the members for their support in completing Two years of service for the cause of the Artists. Maa will be Electing New Committee members on 8 th October. Srihari, Mallikarjuna Rao, Paruchuri Gopala Krishna, Krishna Reddy, Vijaychander, Giribabu, Ahuti Prasad, Jeevitha, Ali, Rajiv kanakala, O Kalyan and others attended this function.
Dasari who always supports Technicians, once again supported them by saying ”Now a days Directors are listening to Heros. In Gold olden days even big actors like NTR, ANR always used to listen to what director says.
Now trend has changed. Hero’s are getting into directors job and giving away unwanted suggestions and making director’s job tough. I always believe in technicians, with out technicians there is no space for artists. Hope artists will go behind technicians in coming days… “
Movie Artists association has suddenly realized that most of the Tollywood girls are acting in Telugu movies even without taking membership in their association. Hence, it asked all the girls and other heroes to take membership before 30th of September by paying Rs.1 lakh as membership fee, otherwise it will be obliged impose ban on all those artists. There are many outsiders like Nayanatara, Asin, Trisha, Hansika, Kajal Agarwal, Genelia, Anushka and many others. In the male artists section there are Prakash Raj, Sayaji Shinde and many others in the list. But, except one or two all the girls in Tollywood have ignored MAA notices. It is learnt that Daggubati Rana also one among many who until now not registered his name with MAA. Let us whether MAA can take action against such persons or not.
In the year 1931,September 15th, first Telugu talkie cinema named 'Bhakata Praharlada" was released. This film was produced by HM Reddy. As there were no popular cinema artists at that time. HM Reddy selected Surabhi stage artists who were very popular at that time. This film was shot at Impirial Studios - Bombay. HM Reddy had to take all the artists to Bombay and he used Alamara (which was the first hindi talky) sets as is is. This film was completed in 20 days with the expenditure around twenty thousand. Dharamavarapu Krishnama Chary's play "Praharlada" was adopted by Reddy for this film automatically Krishnama Chary turned as teh first cine writer.
The role of Hiranyakasayapa played by VV Subba Rao, Leelavathi by Surabhi Kamalabai, Praharlada by Master Krishna.
The big wig LV Prasad also acted one of the diciple of Chitravarapu Narasimha Rao.
We wish Telugu Cinema should cross many more centures.
Movie Artists Association (MAA) is planning restrict other state actors in the Telugu films. Speaking to media MAA president Murali Mohan said "We are going to ask Tollywood Producers Council to restrict the number of other state Artists to two other than heroine. It will provide rightful opportunities to our Telugu artists in our films." 
TTD Executive Officer Krishna Rao in an interview to a leading news channel has said “Everyday near about 1 lakh devotees are coming to Tirupati. But, none of them were fortunate to have Darshan of Lord Balaji for more than few seconds. There are hundreds of devotees who return home even without having a Darshan of the God. All our efforts to provide Darshan of Lord Balaji gives us no satisfactory results, it is because of the high inflow of the devotees. We know that there are thousands of devotees who often visit Tirupati for at least once a year and there are thousands of others who at least visits twice or thrice a year. So, I thought that if we could restrict these frequent visitors to once a year, it may reduce the inflow of the devotees thus allowing the others to have Darshan of the God. But, it is just an idea that is still under consideration, but not a final one.”
Veteran actress and YSR Congress party member Roja, who is staying away from party activities since last few months, has attended the state level meeting of its Artists at Hyderabad on Friday. Vangapandu Usha, Vijaychandar and many other artists from all over the state have participated in this meeting. They have elected conveners for the party cultural wing. 
Telangana Movie Artists Association has announced that from today (Saturday) onwards they also will join the ongoing general strike and asked rest of the artists and film makers not to go on with their shooting activities, otherwise, they will be forced to disrupt the shootings. 
Hardly there is four or five genuine Telugu woman in the Tollywood who were also confined to play sister or sister-in-law roles but surely not a single heroine. It is because, the producers, directors and actors are more interested to import new girls from other places than trying from native state. Perhaps, it is because of their limitations in doing the skin shows due to their traditional background. But, the girls dropping from other places have no objections for skin shows. So, they got the edge over the Telugu girls.
Bollywood sexy siren Rakhi Sawanth has complaints against Censor Board. She is fuming against it for removing some spicy lyrics from her item song in her latest Hindi movie 'Loot.' Censor Board has removed the lyrics 'Jawani ki Bank Loot le' from the song objecting it is vulgar. Rakhi said the board members are very partial towards some artists in Bollywood. "They let some artists go very vulgar in their songs, while nabbing artists like me. For example, John Abraham's performance in 'Jak Maarke' song in his 'Desi Boys' movie and the lyrics of the song is more vulgar than my item song. Yet, the Censor Board allowed his song without any cuts, where as it find fault with my song and its lyrics. How can the responsible Board members show indifference to my film and what makes them allow others to do the same?"
