Telangana fails to script reel success

​Warangal: Despite having a huge potential to emerge as a major hotspot for movie shoots, the erstwhile district of Warangal hasn’t witnessed a commensurate transformation as one would have anticipated, especially against the backdrop that films such as Prabhas-starrer Varsham in 2004 witnessed a stupendous box office success.

But for Anushka’s Rudrama Devi (2015), directed by Guna Sekhar, and Ravi Teja’s Naa Autograph (2004) that caught the imagination of the tinsel world, the region failed to get a boost from the Rs 1,000 crore Telugu film industry, predominantly dominated by people from Andhra.

The beauty and expansive greenery of the region coupled with lakes and temples of Kakatiya regime and River Godavari present a long list of destinations that are idyllic for film shoots.

Destinations like Warangal Fort, 1,000 Pillar and Ramappa temples have already made a mark with their unique engineering marvel.

Since the formation of Telangana, places like Bogatha waterfalls, Bheemunipadam, Pandavulagutta, Hanumadgiri, also known Gaggilaiah gutta, which has carvings of 3rd Tirthankara, in Hanamkonda etc have come into limelight adding more to the exhilarating trip of well known Laknavaram and Pakala lakes, besides the upcoming Jungle Safari at the wildlife sanctuary of Eturnagaram.

The government also tried to hardsell the state as a destination for film shoots by releasing a promo video, titled “Telangana, an emerging international film destination”, showcasing some of exquisite locations of the State. Despite this, the region, as of now, is witnessing the shoots of only small budget films and short films.

Speaking to The Hans India, director Prabhakar Jaini, who recently directed Campus Ampasayya, based on eminent writer Naveen’s novel, said: “Though the region boasts umpteen number of breathtaking locations, it’s difficult to plan a shoot here.

The authorities that give permissions gave me a torrid time during my shoots in the region.” Referring to the problems that one has to face from Archaeological, Endowments, Tourism and other local authorities, he said that it needs to be changed. The State government needs to come up with a single window system that provides permissions for the film shoots, he said.

Jaini pointed out one of the bitter experiences he faced at Laknavaram lake. Though I paid Rs 10,000 to Tourism Department towards shooting permission, our unit was not allowed by those run the cottages, he said.

Sahitya Akademi award winner and novelist Ampasayya Naveen said: “The government needs to focus on improving facilities such as transportation and hotels in the region.

We may have witnessing film shoots very frequently, but the need of the hour is to attract the top film-making houses, so that the region can be transformed into a major film hub.

Currently, songs of Anuvamsikam, a small budget movie, directed by M Ramesh are being canned in Bogatha waterfalls and Mullakatta bridge near Eturnagaram.