Bigwigs vying for posts in Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce

Realising that Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce is the only recognized apex body, T-town bigwigs, who run a 22-member private body Guild, are vying for key posts in the upcoming elections to be held on July 27.

Big names like Dil Raju, Damodar Prasad, Bogavalli Prasad, Sai Korapati, DVV Dhanayya and few others(who are also members of Guild) are contesting for various posts to regain their lost glory.

"It seems that they have realized that Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce is the only recognized body with the Governments of two Telugu states as well Central government besides trade bodies like FEFSI and All India Confederation, hence are contesting to regain their glory and respect," says producer K Venkateswar Rao, who feels that private body is losing sheen.

"The Guild is bound to go down the hill since it is meanto to protect the interest of few rich individuals and running on the face-value of some popular producers.

However, it neither has the authority to intervene in the disputes between producers and cine workers nor can approach State or Central governments with requests for sops and other benefits," he adds.

Actually, Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce consists of four sectors-Producers, Studio Owners, Exhibitors and Distributors. On the rotation basis, this time the president of the TFCC will be from Exhibitors' Sector and veteran exhibitor Narayan Das Narang is most likely to bag the coveted post, while the elections are held for 30-odd Executive Committee member posts in producer, distributor and exhibitor sectors.

"Narayan Das Narang will be unanimously chosen as the president, while there is keen contest for Executive Committee member posts in various sectors," adds producer Gopi.

In fact, Guild, formerly known as Associated Producers of Telugu LLP established four years ago, has tie-up with some top-rated TV channels but the balance of power is going to shift back to Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce and Producers Council.

"They claim to be active producers and dismiss thousands of other producers as 'inactive,' which is unfair and unjust. Of course, they are able to get discounts for film advertisements in few channels and producers are rushing to them, to save some money.

Soon, we will re-negotiate and bring more channels under our umbrella, to tilt the balance in our favour," concludes producer Narasimha Rao.