The Telugu Film Industry (TFI), ranks second in the number of films made every year, the first being Bollywood. The TFI headquarters in Hyderabad is where all transactions are made as all the film-related bodies are established here. However, another industry called Deccan Cinema is also producing a few small-budget Hyderabadi films, especially those released in Nizam area. Deccan Film Society president Toufeeq Khan, an actor and producer, recently met Deputy Chief Minister Mohammad Ali and Cinematography Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav seeking benefits for their outfit.
“They responded positively and I hope that in the coming days, we will get equal benefits as Telugu cinema does,” says Khan. His recent movie Tiger Sultan, which he produced and also starred in, is doing well. “We released the film in 15 theatres in Nizam area and will hit another 20 screens in Karnataka and Maharashtra. We have requested for tax benefits, which the Maharashtra Government gives to Marathi cinema,” says Toufeeq. At present, they are paying 20 per cent entertainment tax. According to Toushiq, Hyderabadi films are of great demand in overseas market especially, Sharjah, Dubai, Australia, the US and the UK.
