Andhra Pradesh IT minister Nara Lokesh’s comments against Telugu film personalities describing them as Non-Resident Andhras (NRAs) has kicked up a major controversy in the film industry.
Lokesh on Monday said the Telugu film industry continues to operate from Hyderabad and all the film personalities were settled there, but were criticising the Andhra Pradesh government’s Nandi awards.
“People who don’t have Aadhar card and vote ID card in Andhra Pradesh are finding fault with us and casting aspersions on us in caste angle,” he criticised.
Lokesh comments received a lot of flak from Telugu film industry. Reacting on his comments, comedian-and-character artiste Posani Krishna Murali fired at Lokesh Lashing out at Nara Lokesh for bringing in the issue of local and non-locals into the Nandi Award debate.
“If we are NRAs, what are Lokesh and his father Chandrababu Naidu? Don’t they have houses and business interests in Hyderabad?” he asked.
Asking Lokesh to learn speaking skills from Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, Posani alleged that Nara Lokesh lacked knowledge and reminded that the people of both the Telugu states can stay together in Hyderabad as the city being the combined capital for 10 years.
Questioning the credibility of the jury that selected movies for Nandi awards, Posani said he was not accepting the Nandi award announced for him.
Posani has been selected for Nandi award for best-supporting artist for his movie ‘Temper.’ He said he would not accept the award due to the caste controversies that have surfaced to get associated with the honours.
