Tuesday, October 12, 2021

End of Chiranjeevi brand signals Vishnu Manchu victory in Telegu actors poll

 Victory of Vishnu Manchu as President of MAA ( Telegu actors body) means the end of the stranglehold of Chiranjeevi clan in Telugu film industry is one opinion that is gaining traction. This victory will elevate Mohan Babu, father of Vishnu Manchu, to Pedda Dhikku . This honoured status was given to Late Dasari Narayana Rao , the Guru of Babu.

The margin of 100 votes among the 600 votes polled for Vishnu Manchu was a surprise as Prakash Raj with Chiranjeevi backing was to win and if at all lose , would be by a whisker. Ram Charan ( son of Chiru) , Mahesh Babu, Nag Chaitanya ( son of Nagarjuna), Prabhas, jr NTR, Ravi Teja, all young blood skipped voting as they were not happy with Chiru - brother Naga Babu support to Prakash Raj.

Prakash Raj had created lot of bad blood by riding roughshod over directors and producers who were not part of the filmy families of Chiru- Venkatesh- NTR - Nagarjuna group. Disciplinary actions against him were swept under the carpet, On the other hand, Mohan Babu - Son Vishnu emerged as an ideal channel for the disgruntled lot suffering from the bossism of the clan politics in Tollywood.

Mohan Babu was literally under a cloud after the Diamond Jubilee fest of Tollywood in Feb 2007. Babu said that only one Star was hogging all the limelight at the fest and this Star never allowed anybody to come up. Chiru fans burnt Babu's cut outs all over the State. Babu sensing that his anti- Chiru posture (later at the MAA meeting accusing of the Megastar shirking from doing flood relief work) was not getting him anywhere.

His son Vishnu was just climbing the ladder. Vishnu- daughter Lakshmi steered clear of their Dad's love- hate relationship. Both families went on get aways and posted pictures. Industry guys said that Babu had no way but to play along.

This year MAA polls came as a game changer. The mood among the members who were not lackeys of the filmy families of Tollywood wanted the Brand Chiranjeevi to be put in place. Chiru also found this poll a place to show his clout. He appeared as the dutiful brother backing Nagababu's candidate Prakash Raj.

As the poll result became swinging after a initial lead, Chiru termed the MAA posts as small posts that should not divide the industry. Prakash Raj- Nagababu quit.

Mohan Babu's first job is to meet Jagan AP CM to get relief in taxes on movie tickets and some other demands. Jagan did not grant an appointment to Chiru. Once this comes through, the Producers - exhibitors lobby will shift stance towards Babu and camp. The stranglehold on exhibitor sector by the Family too is expected to crumble. This would throw open a level playing field for other Stars and actors.

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