{"id":577371,"date":"2026-08-26T20:51:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T15:21:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/industryhit.com\/t\/?p=577371"},"modified":"2026-08-26T20:51:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T15:21:16","slug":"tollywood-monopoly-row-escalates-o-andala-rakshasi-director-sends-final-legal-notices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/industryhit.com\/t\/tollywood-monopoly-row-escalates-o-andala-rakshasi-director-sends-final-legal-notices\/","title":{"rendered":"Tollywood Monopoly Row Escalates: \u2018O Andala Rakshasi\u2019 Director Sends Final Legal Notices"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tollywood Monopoly Row Escalates: \u2018O Andala Rakshasi\u2019 Director Sends Final Legal Notices<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25aa\ufe0f Director Sheraz Mehdi Sends Final Legal Notices to Film Industry Bigwigs, PVR INOX and Asian Cinemas<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Hyderabad: Actor-director Sheraz Mehdi, known for O Andala Rakshasi, has intensified his legal battle against what he describes as nepotism, monopoly and the systematic sidelining of small films in the Telugu film industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mehdi said he has issued final legal notices to several prominent figures associated with the Telugu film industry, including producer Dil Raju, producer Suresh Babu, Film Chamber vice-presidents Naga Vamsi and Bharat Bhushan, secretary Ashok Kumar, and treasurer Prasanna Kumar.<\/span><\/p>\n

He also said final legal notices have been sent to PVR INOX representatives Ajay Bijli and manager Mahesh, as well as Asian Cinemas managing director Sunil Naraj and manager Prashanth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mehdi further said he has brought the matter to the attention of Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, submitting details of his complaint and the legal notices to the Chief Minister\u2019s office. He said he would pursue further legal action if there is no response.<\/span>
\n\u2018Small Films Are Not Being Allowed to Survive\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking about the difficulties faced by small films, Mehdi alleged that the existing system gives disproportionate importance to a handful of movies while leaving the majority without adequate theatrical opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf 100 films are released, only two or three are selected and projected as hit films, big-budget films or successful films. What happens to the remaining 97 films? Who will care about them?\u201d he questioned.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Mehdi, theatrical screens, publicity and business opportunities increasingly revolve around a limited number of films, leaving smaller productions with little opportunity to reach audiences.<\/span><\/p>\n

He said the problem is not limited to his own film and that many small filmmakers, directors and actors are facing similar difficulties.<\/span><\/p>\n

Calls for an Alternative Business Model for Small Films<\/span><\/p>\n

Mehdi suggested that the industry should establish an alternative business ecosystem for small films so that they are not entirely dependent on the existing theatrical distribution structure.<\/span><\/p>\n

He proposed that every small film should have access to at least one small OTT platform and one satellite television channel. He also called for mechanisms similar to those available in some other film industries, including subsidies and structured sales <\/span><\/p>\n

opportunities for smaller productions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Small producers and directors should have avenues to sell their films directly, he said.<\/span>
\nMehdi argued that the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce should play a key role in creating such a system and provide alternative avenues for films that do not receive adequate theatrical support.<\/span><\/p>\n

Final Notices to Film Chamber Representatives<\/span><\/p>\n

Mehdi said he had previously issued legal notices to several representatives of the Telugu Film Chamber, but received no response.<\/span><\/p>\n

He said notices were initially served on Suresh Babu, Film Chamber vice-presidents Naga Vamsi and Bharat Bhushan, secretary Ashok Kumar, and treasurer Prasanna Kumar.<\/span>
\nAs there was no response, he said final legal notices have now been issued.<\/span>
\nMehdi warned that if the matter proceeds to court and summons are issued, the concerned individuals would have to appear and respond through the legal process.<\/span><\/p>\n

Final Legal Notice to Dil Raju<\/span><\/p>\n

Mehdi also said that producer Dil Raju had earlier been served a legal notice and has now received a final legal notice.<\/span><\/p>\n

He argued that major industry stakeholders have a responsibility to ensure that smaller films receive a fair opportunity and said the issues faced by O Andala Rakshasi need to be answered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018What Can a Small Film Do With Two or Three Shows?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Mehdi specifically raised concerns over the theatrical release of O Andala Rakshasi.<\/span>
\nHe alleged that the film did not receive sufficient shows from PVR INOX and said final legal notices had been issued to Ajay Bijli and manager Mahesh.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen the film was released, it was given only two or three shows in Hyderabad city. How can a small film reach audiences with just two or three shows? How can anyone decide whether the film is good or whether audiences will watch it without even giving the film a proper opportunity?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mehdi said the issue should not be viewed merely as a problem involving his film, but as a larger structural problem affecting small films across the industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Why Is There No Response Even After Legal Notices?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Mehdi questioned the continued silence of the people and organisations against whom he has raised allegations.<\/span><\/p>\n

He said he had been holding press conferences on the issue for nearly a year, yet those he has accused had not come forward publicly to respond.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor the past year, several press meets have been held. Now legal notices have also been issued. Yet not even one person is coming forward and speaking. Why? Who is behind them? Are those four the only people involved? Who else is there?\u201d he questioned.<\/span>
\nMehdi said the concerned individuals should respond publicly and explain their position so that the facts can be known to the public.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018They Are Intoxicated by Money and Position\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Mehdi made strong allegations against sections of the industry, claiming that some individuals have become overly confident because of their money, positions and influence.<\/span>
\nHe alleged that there is a situation where people are not being treated with basic dignity and that some believe legal matters can simply be handled through lawyers and financial settlements.<\/span><\/p>\n

He described the influence of money, status and power as creating an atmosphere in which some people behave as though they are beyond accountability.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, Mehdi stressed that his fight is not driven by personal vengeance.<\/span><\/p>\n

His primary objective, he said, is to establish a system that provides small films with a fair chance to survive and reach audiences.<\/span><\/p>\n

Complaint Submitted to CM Revanth Reddy<\/span><\/p>\n

Mehdi said he has also informed Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy about the difficulties faced by small films and about the legal battle he has initiated.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to him, details of his complaint and the notices were submitted to the Chief Minister\u2019s office and were received by the concerned team.<\/span><\/p>\n

He expressed hope that a response would come from the Chief Minister\u2019s office soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Many People Have Already Suffered\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Mehdi said many people in the industry have already suffered because of the existing system.<\/span><\/p>\n

He said he decided to stand up because he felt that someone needed to take a strong stand against the problems faced by small filmmakers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have also become exhausted. At one point, I even decided that I should not make films anymore because of these circumstances. But justice must be done to the film I made,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

He said he had considered completing the promotion of O Andala Rakshasi and staying away from the film industry altogether.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, he made it clear that he would not back down when it comes to his film.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018You Cannot Kill a Film Like This\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Mehdi said his fight would continue until O Andala Rakshasi receives what he considers to be justice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou cannot kill a film like this. I have made a good film. That film should at least get an opportunity to reach the audience. As far as this film is concerned, I will not lose. I want justice for O Andala Rakshasi. I will not stop my fight until justice is done,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Media Should Question the Film Industry Bigwigs\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Mehdi also appealed to the media to raise questions about the difficulties faced by small films.<\/span><\/p>\n

He urged the media to look at the issue not merely as the struggle of one movie, but as a larger systemic issue within the Telugu film industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

He called upon journalists to question those who have remained silent and ask them to respond to the allegations.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEven if someone is sitting in the sky, they have to come down and answer,\u201d he said, while thanking media representatives for supporting his fight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fight Goes Beyond One Film<\/span><\/p>\n

Mehdi reiterated that his legal battle is not limited to O Andala Rakshasi.<\/span>
\nHe said his larger objective is to ensure that small films, new directors, actors and producers do not face similar problems in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

He maintained that the industry needs a transparent and alternative system through which smaller films can secure theatrical, OTT, satellite and other business opportunities.<\/span>
\nMehdi said he would continue his legal and public fight until a solution is found and justice is done to O Andala Rakshasi.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tollywood Monopoly Row Escalates: \u2018O Andala Rakshasi\u2019 Director Sends Final Legal Notices \u25aa\ufe0f Director Sheraz Mehdi Sends Final Legal Notices to Film Industry Bigwigs, PVR INOX and Asian Cinemas Hyderabad: Actor-director Sheraz Mehdi, known for O Andala Rakshasi, has intensified his legal battle against what he describes as nepotism, monopoly and the systematic sidelining of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":577372,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,17],"tags":[67921,66806],"yst_prominent_words":[54397,8910],"class_list":["post-577371","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news","category-slideshow","tag-o-andala-rakshasi","tag-sheraz-mehdi"],"read":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/industryhit.com\/t\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/577371","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/industryhit.com\/t\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/industryhit.com\/t\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/industryhit.com\/t\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/industryhit.com\/t\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=577371"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/industryhit.com\/t\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/577371\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":577373,"href":"https:\/\/industryhit.com\/t\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/577371\/revisions\/577373"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/industryhit.com\/t\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/577372"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/industryhit.com\/t\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=577371"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/industryhit.com\/t\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=577371"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/industryhit.com\/t\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=577371"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/industryhit.com\/t\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=577371"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}