Tollywood to ban guilty actors
In a memorandum submitted to the president of Movie Artistes’ Association (MAA), Tollywood's senior directors and producers demanded that the Association should impose a lifetime ban on actors if they are convicted in the recent prostitution and cocaine rackets.
Tollywood's image has been in serious trouble since actor Ravi Teja’s brothers Raghubabu, Bharat and their associate Naresh were caught red-handed buying cocaine in Banjara Hills and police sources thereafter revealing the names of several stars involved in the drug racket. Matters turned from bad to worse when actors Jyothi and Saira Banu were “rescued” from a prostitution racket.
"There is a general perception that all film stars and industry people are into drugs and prostitution. MAA should give a stern warning to the actors whose names are with the police department. The Police Commissioner has offered to show the video tapes and evidence against actors involved in drugs and prostitution. MAA should impose a life-time ban on such actors,” Telugu Film Producers’ Council joint secretary Natti Kumar said.
The Association has already warned its members to stay away from the media regarding the drugs and prostitution rackets. It asked the members not to comment or give bytes to the television channels about the drugs and prostitution news.
Meanwhile, denying the charges by several cine personalities that police were falsely targeting the industry personnel, the city Police Commissioner A.K. Khan said they have solid evidence against Tollywood personalities arrested in the recent drug bust and flesh trade cases. He even volunteered to show the proof.
