Visakhapatnam: The Tollywood film industry is turning its spotlight back on Visakhapatnam, rekindling hopes of its resurgence as a premier film hub.

Following a period of silence triggered by a perceived snub from the previous government, a delegation of Tollywood luminaries is scheduled to meet Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Monday afternoon.

The delegation, led by renowned director Ashwani Dutt and featuring industry heavyweights like Dil Raju and Chinnibabu, aims to address pressing issues such as the price hike of cinema tickets and the challenges faced by theatre owners in Andhra Pradesh.

Visakhapatnam has long been favored by the film fraternity for its supportive ecosystem, and it is poised to reemerge as a prime location for film productions.

During the TDP government's tenure from 2014 to 2019, land was allocated for the Vizag Film Nagar Cultural Centre to bolster the local film industry. This cultural centre was envisioned to include facilities like a training centre for film artists and a drama theater, with an initial investment of Rs 100 crore. 

Initially, 15 acres were earmarked at Thotlakonda, but following opposition from Buddhist communities, the project was relocated to a five-acre plot near Rama Naidu Studio, with the society paying Rs 22 lakh for the land. Membership in the society grew from 1,154 in 2019 to 1,630 members.

However, the transition to the YSRCP government brought allegations of irregularities. TDP leaders accused Kayala Venkata Reddy, the current president of the FNCC executive committee, and other YSRCP leaders of violating membership rules by admitting their personal staff and associates. The inclusion of non-film industry figures such as Andhra Cricket Association secretary SR Gopinath Reddy and Andhra University Vice Chancellor PVGD Prasad Reddy as core committee members was particularly contentious.

Bheemunipatnam MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao, alongside other TDP leaders, recently inspected the Vizag Film Nagar Cultural Centre. They criticized the admission of members without a film background and called for these individuals to relinquish their memberships voluntarily. They also highlighted the alleged misuse of Rs 32 crore in funds, pledging to restore the centre's former glory.

The TDP government established the FNCC in 2015, but the YSRCP's tenure is claimed to have caused significant harm. Former FNCC president KS Rama Rao expressed optimism about the centre's revival under the new government, emphasizing the need for an elected working group to realign the FNCC with its original objectives and support Visakhapatnam's film industry.

Allegations persist that some members received their memberships without paying the required fees and that YSRCP introduced norms to benefit party affiliates. As the new administration takes charge, the industry is hopeful that the Vizag Film Nagar Cultural Centre will regain its esteemed status.

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