'Telangana decision not to impact Telugu film industry'

The decision to form separate Telangana would not have an immediate impact on the Rs 12,000 crore Telugu film industry based here, but industry-friendly policies would play an important role in its progress in either state, noted film personalities said here today.

The Telugu film industry, which produces about 150 films every year, shifted its base from Chennai to Hyderabad in early 1990s with the governments providing several incentives to the industry.

The Telugu film industry, which had its roots in Chennai, has been driven by those from coastal Andhra and the shootings of a few films had faced disruptions here when separate Telangana agitation was at its peak.

'I don't think it (decision to divide) will have any impact. It is going on fine here,' prominent Telugu filmmaker Tammareddy Bharadwaj told PTI here today.

He, however, said about 30% of the film shootings do happen in places like Visakhapatnam and other coastal Andhra areas because of their scenic beauty.

He said incentives would be a motivator for the industry in having its presence either in Telangana or the new Andhra Pradesh.

Observing that it is too early to foresee the future at this juncture, leading producer D Suresh Babu agreed that taxes and incentives would play an important role in the Telugu film industry - having its base in Hyderabad or in the new AP.

'As of now, it will be here only,' he said, adding that there may be a reaction if any problems crop up in future.