Former Andhra Pradesh Cinematography Minister Perni Nani came down heavily on Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan and current Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh, calling the upcoming film Hari Hara Veera Mallu a "flop in the process" and questioning their lament around the ongoing controversy surrounding its release.
In a scathing attack, Perni Nani said, “It was Pawan Kalyan who once declared, ‘Cinema is ours — we take the remuneration we want and sell tickets at the prices we choose. Who are you to question us? What authority does the government have over cinema?’ Now, he is putting finger in the same film business sitting in government?”
Quoting a rustic Telugu proverb, he added, “Kodaliki buddhi cheppi attha theddu naakindi” — implying that while Pawan Kalyan criticized the previous government’s approach, he is now indulging in even worse practices.
Perni Nani questioned whether either Pawan Kalyan or Minister Kandula Durgesh had taken the time to speak with theatre owners or understand their issues amidst the producers–exhibitors standoff.
“Did Pawan Kalyan call the theatre owners and ask about their problems? Did Kandula Durgesh even try? If Pawan was genuinely worried about his film being affected by this ongoing conflict, he should have postponed the release. Why cry foul now?” he asked.
Nani also mentioned, "This film will be an utter flop. Why making hungama around it?"
Calling the current government "useless" and the cinematography portfolio "meaningless" under its present leadership, Perni Nani accused them of using cinema as a political tool rather than addressing the systemic issues facing the film industry.
Hari Hara Veera Mallu, a long-delayed historical action film starring Pawan Kalyan is sheduled to release on June 12th but the proposed single theatre owners' strike from June 1st is causing disturbance to Pawan Kalyan.
