Chiranjeevi in action for Revanth Reddy Challenge. In a bold move, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy issued a directive to the Telugu film industry on Tuesday, calling for a more active role by its superstars in raising awareness about cyber safety and the dangers of narcotic drugs. This ultimatum, presented under the guise of a "suggestion," underscores the government's expectation for the industry to shoulder greater social responsibility.
Revanth Reddy commended **Chiranjeevi**, a Telugu superstar, for his proactive stance in creating an awareness video highlighting issues that pose significant challenges to the state government. "I deeply appreciate Chiranjeevi for coming forward to join the awareness campaign," the chief minister expressed, setting a precedent for other stars to follow.
In a stern message to the Telugu film fraternity, Revanth Reddy emphasized, "While you approach the government to seek permission to increase ticket rates, your social responsibility remains unfulfilled." He further instructed that any request to hike ticket prices would be contingent upon the creation of an awareness video by film stars, specifically about cybercrime and the perils of drug use.
The chief minister's directive underscores the principle of reciprocity, asserting, "Given the significant benefits stars receive from society, they have a duty to give back by creating a 1 to 2-minute awareness video on these critical issues."
Revanth Reddy also mandated that every cinema in Telangana play these awareness videos free of charge during all shows, complementing the existing statutory warnings about tobacco and alcohol use. This decision is expected to provoke intense discussions within the film industry, particularly considering the stringent regulation of ticket prices in Telugu states.
It remains to be seen how the Telugu film fraternity will respond to this novel precondition set by the Telangana government. The directive poses a significant challenge, requiring the industry to balance commercial interests with social responsibility, particularly in the face of rising production costs.
Following the chief minister's directive, Padma Vibhushan Chiranjeevi stepped forward, reiterating his commitment to the cause. His initiative, backed by the government's mandate, is expected to galvanize the Telugu film industry into action, setting a powerful example for other stars to emulate in the fight against cybercrime and narcotic drugs.