Many believe it was N T Rama Rao and N Chandrababu Naidu who distributed land to the film industry to build studios and infrastructure. That belief, however, is not entirely accurate. In reality, it was Congress chief ministers who did that.
The Telugu film industry began shifting from Chennai to Hyderabad during Marri Chenna Reddy’s tenure. Vast tracts of land for Film Nagar and studios were allotted by Congress governments.
The irony is hard to miss. Many beneficiaries of these concessions belonged to one dominant group that later united politically against the Congress and aligned firmly with the Telugu Desam Party.
Like the mythological Bhasmasura, the same hand that was empowered by Congress eventually turned against it and weakened the party from within.
Only Y S Rajasekhara Reddy stood firm and refused to appease this group. That resistance made him a constant target until his death.
Even today, individuals claiming Congress identity often work for their other favorite party interests.
Not only figures from the film industry, but also sections of the media are known for benefiting from public property, particularly land, by developing favorable relationships with Congress Chief Ministers.
This is often made easier by the existence of multiple power groups within the party and the government’s dependence on media support for smooth functioning.
As a result, even influential media owners are able to leverage these Chief Ministers to serve their own interests.
When a particular CM like YS Rajasekhara Reddy ceases to align with those interests, the same financial and institutional power is then used against him.
In this context, the hostility observed is not so much directed at Congress as a party, but rather at individual Chief Ministers who are perceived as no longer useful to certain vested interests for their financial growth.
Kiran Sharma
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