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With Pawan Kalyan assuming office as the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, many in the Telugu film industry believed his political rise would bring advantages to Tollywood. However, no one expected him to clash with a section of film producers—let alone issue a stern ultimatum. Yesterday’s developments have dramatically shifted the industry’s perception.

In a strong message to the Telugu film fraternity, Pawan Kalyan made it clear that he will not tolerate the “backdoor politics” allegedly being played by some producers. His press note explicitly mentioned the phrases “Aa Naluguru” (The Four People) and “Return Gift”, sending shockwaves across the industry.

The message appears to have been directed, albeit indirectly, at top producers like Dil Raju, Suresh Babu, and Allu Aravind. The reaction was one of surprise and even disbelief. Dil Raju, considered close to Pawan Kalyan, has distributed many of his films in the Nizam region and produced “Vakeel Saab,” one of the actor’s notable recent hits.

Suresh Babu, though not as active in production and distribution lately, continues to have significant influence through his family’s ownership of numerous theaters across Andhra Pradesh. His family also maintains connections with multiple political parties: his late father, D. Ramanaidu, was an MP from the TDP; Suresh Babu himself is known to admire N. Chandrababu Naidu. Meanwhile, actor Venkatesh’s daughter is married into the family of Telangana Congress Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, and there are reported business ties with YSRCP leaders as well.

Allu Aravind’s Geetha Arts owns several theaters in the Godavari districts. While Aravind has a complicated relationship with the Chiranjeevi–Pawan Kalyan family lately, he has never been seen openly obstructing the release of movies of their family stars like Pawan Kalyan.

In this context, Pawan Kalyan’s ultimatum has taken the industry by surprise. However, it appears to have had its intended effect. Industry insiders note a sudden silence from the major players, suggesting that Pawan Kalyan may have succeeded in his goal: bringing order within Tollywood and curbing behind-the-scenes political maneuvering.