Mana Panel Vows Greater Welfare, Better Governance for Producers

With the Telugu Film Producers Council elections approaching, Mana Panel, one of the panels contesting the elections, held a press meet on Thursday to outline its priorities and take aim at its opponents. Panel members C. Kalyan, Chadalavada Srinivasa Rao and Thummala Prasanna Kumar addressed the media and spoke about the welfare measures they plan to introduce if elected.

C. Kalyan, who is seeking the president’s post, said the panel would continue to follow the path shown by veteran filmmaker Dasari Narayana Rao. He also said he had spoken to Balakrishna and had a positive discussion with him.

Kalyan alleged that the Film Producers Guild, despite receiving the panel’s support in the past, was now working against the Producers Council. He claimed that the Guild appears prominently during election time and alleged that commission amounts that should come to the Council were being diverted to the Guild. He also alleged that eligible producers were being denied membership.

He said the panel would meet the Chief Ministers of both Telugu states and explain the issues facing the industry. Kalyan recalled that his team had introduced medical insurance for producers and promised to expand the coverage if elected.

“Once we are elected, we will increase the medical insurance coverage from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 5 lakh and try to issue the cards immediately,” he said. He added that the panel would make efforts to extend medical insurance even to producers who had made only one film.

Kalyan also promised financial assistance for education and marriages. He said the panel would provide Rs 30,000 towards education and marriage-related assistance and extend Rs 30,000 or more for the marriage of a producer’s daughter.

He further announced plans to establish a pension committee for senior producers and provide financial support to elderly members in need. The panel would also stand by the families of producers who have passed away, he said.

On the industry’s assets and properties in the two Telugu states, Kalyan said discussions were underway with APFDC Chairman Bharat Bhushan. He praised Bharat Bhushan’s work and said he would take up the issue with the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Kalyan also said the panel plans to use 30 percent of the rental income generated from a building constructed in the past for the benefit of the film industry from 2032. He added that efforts would be made to create a website through which short films and small productions could find OTT business opportunities.

Chadalavada Srinivasa Rao, meanwhile, appealed to producers to support Mana Panel and said the team was committed to following Dasari Narayana Rao’s principles.

“A producer works as hard as a farmer in the film industry. I thank everyone who has filed nominations in the Producers Council elections,” he said.

Srinivasa Rao also responded to allegations made by Ashok Kumar regarding the withdrawal of his nomination. He said Ashok Kumar had submitted three nominations and was disqualified after failing to withdraw the additional nominations within the stipulated time.

“Others in his panel also submitted multiple nominations, but they withdrew the additional nominations within the given time and continued in the election. Since Ashok Kumar did not withdraw his additional nomination within the stipulated time, he was disqualified,” he said.

Srinivasa Rao urged Ashok Kumar to withdraw his earlier allegations and said the election process had been conducted in a dignified manner. He also appealed to producers to vote for Mana Panel, claiming that the team would focus on the welfare of the industry rather than personal visibility.

Thummala Prasanna Kumar also defended the panel’s handling of the election process and said its welfare activities were backed by official records.

“In the previous elections, we respected the words of Chadalavada Srinivasa Rao and moved forward. Even in an earlier instance involving certain irregularities, we took appropriate decisions based on the situation,” he said.

Prasanna Kumar said the panel had records of the medical insurance facilities and other welfare services it had provided to producers. He added that the team had also been supporting senior citizens facing financial difficulties.

He maintained that candidates who had filed multiple nominations were given an opportunity to retain one nomination within the stipulated time. According to him, Ashok Kumar approached the authorities to withdraw his additional nomination only after the deadline had passed.

He also pointed out that Bandla Ganesh had withdrawn his nomination within the permitted period in support of C. Kalyan.

“The entire nomination process was conducted systematically and according to the rules. We respect the court,” Prasanna Kumar said.

He added that Chadalavada Srinivasa Rao, Sunil Narang and actor Shivaji had supported the panel and contributed their services to the industry.