Telangana CM issues ultimatum to Telugu superstars: Create cyber safety, anti-drug videos or no ticket hikes

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Tuesday gave an ultimatum to the members of the Telugu film fraternity, demanding more active participation from the superstars in creating awareness about cyber safety and the detrimental effects of using narcotic drugs.

Revanth Reddy praised Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi for voluntarily creating an awareness video about the issues posing serious challenges to the state government. "I deeply appreciate Chiranjeevi for coming forward to join the awareness campaign," said the chief minister.

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While Revanth Reddy presented it as a "suggestion," it was a clear ultimatum to the Telugu film industry. "While you come to the government to seek permission to increase ticket rates, I feel that you are not doing enough to fulfil your social responsibility," he said, without mincing any words.

"I am directing my officials that if anybody approaches them seeking to increase ticket prices, the stars of the cinema should create an awareness video about cybercrime and drugs. That's a precondition. No matter how big the stars are, they should create a 1 or 2-minute-long awareness video on these issues. Because the stars are taking so much from society, they have the responsibility to give some back to society," he remarked.

Revanth Reddy ordered that every theatre in Telangana should play that awareness video during the shows for free. This is in addition to the already existing statutory warnings about the use of tobacco and alcohol consumption.

It's a significant decision that will likely spark massive discussions in the film industry. The ticket prices are highly regulated in the Telugu states, and the film producers are at the mercy of the government if they want to increase the ticket prices on a case-by-case basis owing to big budgets.

It remains to be seen what kind of response this new "precondition" of the Telangana government will receive from the Telugu film fraternity.

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