Speaking at the event, Allu Aravind said, “You are aware of the discussions taking place in the film industry over the last two days. I have organized this press meet to address some of those matters. There has been a narrative in the media about ‘those four’ individuals. I have no connection with them. I am not one among those four.”
Allu Aravind explained that the term “those four” was coined nearly fifteen years ago and has since expanded to refer to ten individuals. “No one has paid much attention to this label. Currently, those ten people have theatre holdings. I stepped away from business activities involving those four during the COVID period. I do not own a single theatre in Telangana. I only have theatres under Asian Cinemas. In Andhra Pradesh as well, I gave up all theatre operations a long time ago. Out of the fifteen hundred theatres currently in Andhra Pradesh, only fifteen belong to us,” he said.
He further clarified that even those fifteen theatres are not being renewed after the lease expiry. “Out of old habit, they are still using my photo in relation to ‘those four.’ I am being criticized. I request my friends in the media not to associate me with ‘those four.’ I am not one of them, and I am not involved in business with them. I only have fifteen theatres under my management.”
Addressing the issue of theatre closures starting from June 1, Allu Aravind said, “The response from the Cinematography Minister regarding this matter was very reasonable in my opinion. I did not attend any meeting related to this theatre issue—not intentionally or out of disinterest. I instructed my team at Geetha Distribution and other associates not to attend the meeting either.”
He emphasized the importance of resolving challenges in the theatre sector through dialogue with senior members of the industry. “When theatres are going through a tough time, we should discuss the issues and find amicable solutions. I was displeased with the unilateral decisions made by some, which is why I did not attend. Declaring that theatres are going to shut down is not the right approach.”
He also strongly criticized the timing of such declarations. “Saying theatres will shut down right around the release of Pawan Kalyan’s film is reckless. Pawan Kalyan is someone with a kind heart who has always helped the industry selflessly. In the past, regarding Ashwini Dutt’s film, we met Pawan Kalyan. At that time, he suggested we approach Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on behalf of the Film Chamber. However, our people chose to ignore it.”
Allu Aravind expressed regret over the industry’s failure to follow through with the suggestion. “Officially, we should have all met him, but we didn’t. Though Pawan Kalyan hinted at the meeting, it never happened.”
He also addressed recent statements suggesting the film industry is an independent sector not related to the government. “I recently heard someone claim that our industry is not connected to the government. If that were true, why did so many senior members of the film industry meet the former Chief Minister? No business can function properly without government support. It is not right to avoid meeting the government now.”
Commenting on the recent note issued by the Andhra Pradesh Minister, he said, “The note was very justifiable. Single-screen theatres are indeed facing serious issues. We should engage in discussions when problems arise, not respond by announcing theatre shutdowns,” Allu Aravind stated.
