When KCR recently visited 'Ramoji Film City' and heaped praises on Ramoji Rao, it became a hot topic of discussion for the simple reason that KCR and Ramoji Rao are not on the best of terms.
KCR during the agitation repeatedly threatened to seize Ramoji Rao’s assets and called the latter a land –grabber and anti-Telanganite.
When TRS formed the government, Ramoji gave daily front-page coverage to KCR relegating Naidu to the inner pages.
But it all ended with ‘Eenadu’ publishing the letter of ‘Metro Rail’ Chairman to KCR in which the Chairman threatened that L&T would walk out of the project. That opened the Pandora’s Box and since then ‘Eenadu’ has been quite critical of the TRS regime.
Ramoji Rao also made a trip to Delhi and had a closed door meeting with Narendra Modi.
Naturally, what transpired is not known but political analysts are now of the opinion that Ramoji Rao has sufficient ammunition to put KCR in serious trouble and KCR’s visit to RFC was to eke out a compromise.
Interestingly, KCR’s comments at RFC were that Ramoji Rao was a remarkable man and that RFC was a pride to Telangana region.
Which brings us to the question: if KCR considers RFC an asset of Telangana, what is the need for another film city? Or did he visit RFC just to snoop around and get an idea for his own proposed ‘film city’?
Films are only for entertainment and there are more pressing problems that Telangana is currently facing. The film industry is not capable of generating guaranteed regular employment or livelihood to many people.
Why is KCR so keen then? Films are a powerful medium to win the adulation of the masses. Thanks to movies, NTR and his family have become a powerful entity to reckon with in AP today along with Chiranjeevi and others.
Tollywood is currently dominated by Seemandhraites and especially the ‘Kamma community’. And probably KCR recognizes the need for a Telangana-dominated film industry that can permanently sever the bond between Andhra and Telangana!
Needless to say, the ‘film city’ projects would all go to KCR’s kith and kin. There is also the gossip that KCR has amassed so much wealth that he just does not know how to spend it. Hence the idea of a film city!
But on all counts, it would be a bad idea. RFC is still repaying its loans and they will not be cleared in the immediate future.
Major film studios in Hyderabad are more than happy if they can generate enough revenue to meet their expenses. So, what advantage will KCR get? The answer is land!
He would probably give the land on lease for a hundred years and then all companies and studios which crop up would be his companies!
Some point in future, a ‘GO’ would be passed or initially itself, a clause will be inserted enabling the studios to indulge in real-estate like Padmalaya.
Basically, it is a ploy to create a mountain of cash out of nothing! But given KCR’s track record in office, it is highly doubtful whether this dream of his will ever be realized. But in trying to do so, he can indulge himself!
