To keep tabs on the increasing number of dubbed
films, which are giving stiff competition to Telugu films in the State,
the Andhra Pradesh Film Chamber of Commerce (APFCC) has decided to
impose restrictions for 'saving' the Telugu film industry.
The APFCC gave the nod to the proposals put forward by the Telugu
Film Producers' Council at their meeting in the city on Monday. Members
from the Producers' Council met APFCC representatives and discussed the
proposed measures to keep dubbing editions in check.
The Producers' Council sought a hike in entertainment tax imposed
on dubbing films from 20 per cent to 50 per cent, allotment of a
maximum of 85 theatres for the dubbed versions and also restriction on
releasing of dubbed films during the festive seasons. After taking note
of the seriousness of the situation, the APFCC has decided to give the
nod to execute the proposals.
It has been decided to approach the state government for increasing the entertainment tax for dubbed movies.
Furthermore, a special committee including producers Suresh Babu,
Dil Raju, Vijayendar Reddy (Telangana Film Chamber of Commerce
chairman) and Natti Kumar has been constituted to look into the issues
for reducing clashes between Telugu and dubbed movies.
With this move, Telugu film goers could lose the opportunity to
watch their favourite non-Telugu stars and some good non-Telugu movies.
Sources in the Producers' Council told City Express that the
APFCC's decision would only come as a boon to the Telugu cinema. It is
alleged that low-budget films are bearing the brunt most of the times
due to the dubbed flicks and producers are incurring losses. They
pointed out that Telugu films dubbed into other languages or released in
other states are paying higher en-tertainment tax than films from
neighbouring states which are being dubbed into Telugu.
However, Telangana Film Chamber of Commerce chairman Vijayender
Reddy pointed out that the current working style of Tollywood actors and
technicians, who prefer doing one movie a year, is also resulting in
small-time producers going for dubbed versions.
He also took a dig at big production houses, for influencing the
theatre managements and using other techniques in order to ensure a safe
release of their films.
It may be noted that 2011 saw a host of Tamil, Hindi and English
movies dubbed into Telugu and the trend has caught the fancy of certain
producers in Tollywood as these movies are getting good response at the
box-office. Movies like 'Kanchana', 'Rangam', 'Naa Peru Shiva', 'Prema
Khaidi' apart from a host of Hollywood and Bollywood movies opened to
huge openings and also won rave reviews by the Telugu audiences.
