Yatra Director Mahi V Raghav is fighting a losing battle trying to defend the Studio lands he sought from the Jagan Government. When you make a propaganda film for Jagan and you say you are seeking land without any malice, it is very hard for the people to buy the argument.
Meanwhile, Mahi V Raghav is trying to shift the public attention from Jagan to the lands given by Chandrababu Naidu to filmmakers of the Kamma community.
He is making the same allegation wherever he gets a chance.
“Their (A section of the media’s) 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,” Mahi V Raghav alleged in the Press Release.
To put it plainly, Mahi V Raghav alleges that Chandrababu Naidu who is a Kamma gave away lands in Hyderabad to the people of his community.
When he says people of his community, it definitely look obnoxious but when we delve into details, we get to understand how shallow his allegations are.
The director is making allegations against Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Raghavendra Rao, Rama Naidu, LV Prasad, and others.
So, we shall keep all the names in one place – Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Raghavendra Rao, Ramanaidu, LV Prasad, and Mahi V Raghav.
It is a layman’s guess to say who is the odd man out.
All of them have a credible history for getting the lands from the then Government.
Annapurna Studio is instrumental in shifting the industry from Chennai to Hyderabad. Today, it is the landmark for all facilities of shooting and post-production for a majority of films. There is a film school operating as well there.
Ramanaidu is also a hub for film shooting, post-production activities, and a film school. Ramanaidu built a studio in Vizag. He is the first film entrepreneur to invest in Andhra Pradesh.
Raghavendra Rao has got land for a dubbing studio and the Government also allowed commercial activity there to make it financially feasible. The matter is also subjudice in the court. So, it is not wise to comment further.
LV Prasad has got land from then TDP Government for constructing an Eye Hospital. We know the laurels the hospital has got internationally.
They got the lands due to their track record and not because they are from a community. They also added value to Hyderabad for the lands they got.
There is another allegation saying that Chandrababu Naidu gave lands to Aswini Dutt in Amaravati for giving away lands to Vijayawada Airport.
This is another ignorant allegation. The lands needed for Vijayawada Airport are the costliest. The airport expansion has been delayed for a long time as a result. But it is very crucial for the development of the state after the bifurcation. The Government can not acquire lands due to the high cost.
So, Chandrababu came up with this plan to give Amaravati land in exchange. This is a pure business transaction. In fact, Aswini Dutt only lost after Jagan decimated Amaravati.
If Mahi V Raghav or anyone wants to see caste in legends like them, we can only feel pity for them.
If Mahi V Raghav thinks he can also get lands compared with these legends, there are 100s of producers who should rush to Tadepalli with similar proposals.
If he says giving lands to these celebrities is wrong because they are Kammas, it is impossible to ignore their contribution to the Film Industry.
They have contributed so much to the industry with their talent and entrepreneurship. From the first generation filmmakers and actors to the current generation, a majority belongs to that community. More than the community, they flourished due to their hard work and entrepreneurship.
Chandrababu Naidu also gave lands to people belonging to various spheres. Pullela Gopichand got lands for his academy. Many industries and B-School like ISB got lands during Chandrababu Naidu’s tenure. Yes, there are Kammas and there are non-Indians too who got benefitted.
Yes, Mahi V Raghav can also seek land, but not now. He is yet to earn credibility to ask and not when you make Propaganda films suiting one political party and releasing it just before the elections.
If and when he earns the credibility, forget Jagan, Chandrababu Naidu will be the first to spot him and offer land to invest in Andhra Pradesh if he is the Chief Minister then.
