Congress Faces Growing Rift with Tollywood Ahead of Jubilee Hills Bypoll

Tensions between the Congress government in Telangana and the Telugu film industry are escalating ahead of the crucial Jubilee Hills by-election. Following a string of controversies involving major film personalities, many in Tollywood — particularly industry workers in Krishna Nagar and surrounding areas — appear disillusioned with the ruling party.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has launched damage-control efforts, promising support to film workers and assuring that their concerns will be addressed. However, the outreach comes amid rising resentment. Many industry employees, including daily-wage workers and technical crew, have expressed uncertainty about their livelihoods, saying their ultimate loyalty lies with the industry, not politics.

The friction traces back to August 2024, when the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA) demolished a portion of actor Akkineni Nagarjuna’s N Convention Centre in Madhapur, citing encroachment on Tummadikunta Lake. The move, based on a complaint by Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, sparked anger within the film fraternity. Nagarjuna called the demolition unlawful, and tensions deepened after he filed a ₹100-crore defamation suit against Forest Minister Konda Surekha in November over remarks about his son Naga Chaitanya and actress Samantha’s divorce.

Matters worsened when Revanth Reddy publicly blamed actor Allu Arjun for a stampede during the Pushpa 2 screening at Sandhya Theatre in December 2024. A police case was registered against the actor, and Congress workers allegedly vandalized part of his residence, prompting widespread backlash from fans and industry members.

Adding to the unease, actor Rahul Ramakrishna’s online criticism of the Congress and praise for the previous BRS regime drew strong reactions, forcing him to delete his posts.

As Jubilee Hills heads to the polls, the Congress government appears keenly aware of the simmering discontent in Tollywood. Revanth Reddy’s recent assurances suggest an urgent attempt to repair relations before the political fallout deepens further.