Raghu Master Elected As New Dancers Association President
A special meeting was held on August 30 at a private hotel in Krishna Nagar
The ongoing internal crisis in the Telugu Film and TV Dancers and Dance Directors Association (TFTDDA) has taken a dramatic turn, with a majority of its members reportedly electing renowned choreographer Raghu Master as the association’s new president.
A special meeting was held on August 30 at a private hotel in Krishna Nagar, Hyderabad, where a large number of dancers reportedly came together and unanimously backed Raghu Master’s leadership. The members also rejected the executive committee headed by Sumalatha Master, alleging that several unilateral decisions had put the association’s future at risk.
The members reportedly maintained that the recent by-elections conducted by the existing committee cannot be considered legitimate as they were held without following the guidance of senior industry members. According to union sources, only 116 of the association’s nearly 600 members participated in those elections, while the majority stayed away.
The group supporting Raghu Master claims that more than 350 dancers are now backing the new leadership. Several prominent Tollywood choreographers, including Sekhar Master, Ganesh Master, Bhanu Master, Prakash Master, Vijay Polaki Master, Vijay Binny Master and Srashti Varma Master, are also said to have extended their support to Raghu Master.
The development comes after days of efforts by senior industry personalities and representatives of the Film Chamber and Film Federation to resolve the differences within the association. Megastar Chiranjeevi and Nandamuri Balakrishna are also understood to have attempted to broker peace between the rival groups.
However, the situation reportedly worsened after Johnny Master and Sumalatha Master went ahead with the by-elections despite objections from sections of the membership and calls for reconciliation. The move is said to have further deepened the divide within the association.
Meanwhile, the Film Industry Employees Federation, which has reportedly not been cooperating with the Sumalatha-led committee, is said to have urged the dancers to formally recognize the newly elected committee headed by Raghu Master and extend their cooperation.
The latest development could now trigger a fresh confrontation over the legitimate leadership of the TFTDDA. With both sides staking claims to represent the dancers, all eyes are on the Film Federation and other industry bodies, which are expected to take a formal position on the dispute soon.
