Yatra 2 director Mahi V Raghav is in main news of Yellow Media Websites over the last one week for asking AP govt for 2 Acres of Land to build a Mini studio. We all know Jagan favorable to Telugu film industry requests, but want it gradually relocate from Hyderabad to Vizag, Andhra. Jagan also promised to give land for setting up studios, house sites to artistes and create an atmosphere like that of Jubilee Hills. But later no one has reached out to Jagan except Mahi V Raghav among som others but the news of Mahi V Raghav has created more buzz than others because of Yatra 2 has got a big success particulalrly in Andhra Pradesh. Its definitely a good thing to know that Jagan always supporting Tollywood directly or indirectly.
If we go to the back days, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, popularily known as ANR is the first one to move from the then Madras city to Hyderabad. He built Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad and encouraged everyone to move there. But it took several years for Telugu industry before shifting to Hyderabad. Only after NTR entered politics, several film personalities started moving to Hyderabad also most of the Celebrities & filmmakers of those times highly benefited from NTR in the foarm of Lands in Hyderabad for a cheaper price. These lands now valued at hundreds of crores and moreover those who are benefited during the NTR period, they are currently using these lands for commercial and business purpose while they have been benefited for building up the Studios. But when comes to Mahi V Raghav Case, Yello media intentionally doing some ruckus when he wants to build a mini studio that it would be helpful to local people.
Keeping this aside, If we go back to previous Govt rule in AP, TDP at least not given tax exemption to a film like Rudhramadevi in 2015 even after the request from its director Gunasekhar, also SS Rajamouli proposed AP Govt on Twitter to exempt this film from TAX. During the TDP period Hero Nandamuri Balakrishna only benefited with tax exemption and Awards for his flop film Gautamiputra Satakarni. Now Tollywood would have much clarity that Jagan govt is doing much better in helping the industry even after the Tollywood is maintaining distance from AP Govt due to pressure from other two political parties which are emerged from the Movie Industry itself.
If we come back to the Mahi V Raghav case, He has given a Slipper Shot Reply to Yellow Media.
Seeing the news of Mahi V Raghav benefited from AP Govt, A section of the Yellow media accused him of getting benefitted with two acres of land at Horsley Hills, Madanapalle by Andhra Pradesh Government for making ‘Yatra 2’. Mahi V. Raghav has responded and clarified these allegations. In his words…
” If my intention is not to develop and contribute to my region, I would have asked for a place to build a studio in Hyderabad or Vizag. Why would I want to build a studio at Madanapalle, which is considered a backward area.”, asks Filmmaker Mahi V. Raghav. His directorial ‘Yatra 2’ is currently running in cinemas.
” I have been working as a writer, producer, and director in the film industry for 16 years. I made my debut in films in 2008. I have established Moon Water Pictures and Three Autumn Leaves production houses. I am quite familiar as a Producer and Director in the industry. I have made films, ‘Village Lo Vinayakudu’, ‘Kudirite Cuppu Coffee’, ‘ Paathasala’, ‘Anando Brahma’, ‘ Yatra’, ‘Siddha Lokam Ela Undi’, ‘Yatra 2’ and web series, ‘Save The Tigers’ and ‘Saithaan’. I was born and brought up in Madanapalle which is a part of the Rayalaseema Region. I have completed my studies also in my hometown. Rayalaseema Region doesn’t have much importance in the film industry. No one shows interest in shooting films in this area. Among my projects, Anando Brahma and Save The Tigers were not filmed at Rayalaseema. I shot ‘Paathasala’, ‘Yatra 2’, ‘Siddha Lokamela Undi’, and ‘And Saithaan’ in the Rayalaseema Region. In the last two years, ‘Saithaan’, ‘Yatra 2’, and ‘Siddha Lokamela Undi’ were almost shot in Madanapalle and Kadapa areas only. I have sent 20 – 25 Crores over these three projects. The reason behind this is, I want to contribute to the place where I was born and brought up. That’s why I have spent my hard-earned money at my birthplace. By shooting films over there, locals will benefit as lodges, hotels, food, and juniors are needed while shooting these films. During this journey, I have decided to build a mini studio in Rayalaseema. I intend to help the local people with this studio.
Those who have any common sense can think about this and can understand. I haven’t asked for 50 or 100 acres for the sake of Studio construction. I wanted to build a mini studio on only 2 acres. It would be helpful to those who wanted to shoot a film or web series and also the locals benefit from these shoots. Basic amenities will be available to do shootings at this place. What is wrong with this? Those who don’t want to do anything will never do. During all these years, no one came forward from the industry for the betterment of Rayalaseema. No one came forward. You don’t have any intention to do it and you also don’t want anyone to step forward. A section of the media doesn’t even think about this. Their favorable Government provided lands to their people wherever they asked. No one questions about this. But, they are doing ruckus when I want to build a mini studio on two acres in my area so that it would be helpful to local people.”
