Recently, the Telugu Movie Artists Association made a statement against Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi's opinion that Prabhas looked like a joker in 'Kalki 2898 AD'. Many in Mumbai view this as immature.
Telugu cinema is expanding its horizons. When you make pan-Indian movies, it is pretty obvious that you will be scrutinized more. "The actors who you thought were exclusive to you, precious to you, are getting national attention. If we are going to pick up every small conflict, charge it with emotional responses, wanting to bicker with one another, it is going to be a losing battle," wrote film observer Anmol Jamwal on the MAA's recent condemnation of Warsi.
This is exactly what Telugu filmmakers must keep in mind. The other day, director Nag Ashwin said that he will be sending a few Bujji toys to Warsi's children as gifts. OK, but why?
No matter what your reaction is to criticism, whether Gandhian or aggressive, whether soft or belligerent, you prove yourself to be sensitive to criticism. If others' unflattering remarks didn't matter to you, you would just ignore them. You don't shoot letters, you don't say buttery lines like 'No hate, just love'.
Tollywood may face a wave of online criticism from Hindi cinema enthusiasts following the exaggerated reactions of Telugu actors and the MAA this month.
