When two great personalities of the Telugu film industry traded charges
against each other, it required all the diplomacy and tact of a third
to settle the issue.
Well-known film-maker Dasari Narayana Rao, who says he regards himself
as a childhood fan of thespian Akkineni Nageswara Rao, and the veteran
actor, who is always full of praise for Dasari, got embroiled in a
financial row. ANR-owned Annapurna Studios lodged a complaint with
the Andhra Pradesh Film Chamber that Dasari owned them Rs 3 lakh,
and wanted the same to be settled before the latter’s film Samakka
Sarakka is cleared for release.
It also wrote to veteran film personality D Ramanaidu, in whose studios
Dasari’s film was shot, to withhold release of the prints until the
dues are realised. On coming to know of this, Dasari reportedly deposited
Rs 3 lakh with Ramanaidu Studios, but, at the same time, claimed that
Annapurna Studios owed him Rs three lakh.
Besides, he said that the firm Great Indian Entertainment, owned by
the ANR family, owed him Rs 2 lakh for the advertisements published
in his film magazine Megha Sandesham.Dasari Narayana Rao also lodged
his complaints with the A P Film Chamber.
His contention was that he had never asked ANR or his family members
for the money they owe him due the respect he had towards ANR. He
also reportedly said that it was unethical on the part of Annapurna
Studios to stop the release of his latest film Samakka Sarakka when
they themselves owed money to him.
Dasari also charged the Annapurna Studios with sending goons to Ramanaidu
Studios to stop the distribution of Samakka Sarakka prints. He wanted
the Chamber to take up the matter and settle his accounts with Annapurna
Studios.
According to sources in the industry, it was Ramanaidu and his son
Suresh who came to the rescue of Dasari and sent back the representatives
of Annapurna Studios on January 14, a couple of days before the release
of Samakka Sarakka.
When contacted, Dasari Narayana Rao refused to comment by saying the
matter was with the Chamber. Ramanaidu said the matter was settled,
stating: “These things happen. Since the industry is like a family,
we sort out such matters within us. I always try to help people.”
But efforts to contact Supriya, grand daughter of ANR and the one
who manages Annapurna Studios, proved to be futile. People in the
Studios, however, confirmed that a complaint was lodged against Dasari
Narayana Rao. |
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