A warm bonhomie between cinema stars and the political class has been prevalent for years together now, especially in Tamil and Telugu cinema, where many actors and superstars have had long-lasting runs as politicians, and even Chief Ministers. However, this bonhomie was put to test recently with the Sandhya theatre stampede row that saw an intense war of words being exchanged between the Telangana government and Allu Arjun. With the dust gradually settling down on the issue that saw Arjun spending a night in jail, and being charged for the death of a woman, and the injuries to her son, during the benefit show of Pushpa 2, the focus has shifted to mending this chasm between cinema and politics. On Thursday, there was a meeting between prominent film personalities and the Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, where a variety of issues were discussed about Telugu cinema, and the support of the government.

This meeting was attended by the likes of Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Cinematography minister Komatireddy Venkatareddy, top-level members of the police force, and film personalities, including newly appointed Telangana Film Development Corporation chairman Dil Raju. It is reported that among many things that were part of the discussion, the CM reasserted the end of benefit shows in the state, and how law and order would not be compromised for the sake of cinema-related celebrations.