Target Campaign Against Tollywood?

Every big film faces criticism. That is normal. But when multiple high-profile Telugu films start attracting negative trends one after another on social media, naturally doubts pop up regarding the authenticity and the propaganda behind the criticism. Over the last few months, films like Peddi, the first look of Raaka, and the glimpse video of Dragon have all found themselves at the centre of online controversies, trolling campaigns, and media debates too. What’s really happening here?

Every small detail became a big battle regarding Peddi on social media. The same pattern seems to have been repeated in the case of Raaka and Dragon too. Now that Cocktail 2 is getting blasted for Kriti Sanon’s unwanted bikini scenes, none of the so-called Bollywood online activists is talking about it. Some say that the rise of paid PR and social media influencers, who are being used by forces that are not interested in the rise of Telugu cinema in Northern states, is the main cause behind these negative campaigns. As Telugu cinema is literally eating away into their market, they have started this campaign to demean every single Telugu film out there.

At the same time, there is another side to the story. When films are mounted on budgets of ₹500 cr and ₹800 cr, or even more, scrutiny naturally increases over the content. Audiences discuss every casting choice, every poster, every teaser frame, and every statement made by the team. Bigger films generate bigger conversations. Not all criticism can be dismissed as a conspiracy. Telugu filmmakers should also introspect a bit from this criticism.