MAA President Manchu Vishnu said 'Navathi Utsavam' aims to raise funds for the welfare body association. The date will be announced after discussing with industry bigwigs.
Published Mar 23, 2024 | 1:38 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 23, 2024 | 4:32 PM
MAA President Vishnu Manchu announces his plans to hold 'Navathi Utsavam' in Malaysia in July to celebrate 90 years of Telugu cinema. (Screengrab)
Actor and Movie Artistes Association (MAA) President Vishnu Manchu has said the welfare body of Tollywood MAA will host a historic event in Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur — “Navathi Utsavam“, marking the completion of 90 glorious years of Telugu cinema.
Addressing the media in Hyderabad on Saturday, 23 March, Vishnu Manchu revealed that he wanted to organise a grand event two years ago to commemorate 90 years of Telugu cinema, but it was postponed due to various reasons.
The MAA President clarified that “Navathi Utsavam” aims to raise funds for the welfare body association.
Malaysia Tourism will host the event in Kuala Lumpur. There are plans to organise the event in July this year.
“Though we have 800-odd film artistes in the association, about 100-150 are financially well off. The MAA has been conducting medical camps and providing health insurance free of cost. And the response to the welfare schemes has been amazing so far,” he explained.
Vishnu Manchu further added, “Health insurance has helped many MAA artistes. So, the Telugu industry should take part in “Navathi Utsavam” and make it a grand success. The Film Chamber has supported us. I thank Dil Raju garu and KL Damodar Prasad garu for their support.”
MAA president Vishnu Manchu (centre) and Treasurer Shiva Balaji (extreme right) at the MAA event. (Supplied)
The actor stated that the likes of SS Rajamouli and Prabhas have put the Telugu cinema on the global map.
“Megastar Chiranjeevi garu being honoured with Padma Vibhushan is a great achievement. How popular is the word “Jai Balayya”? Allu Arjun won the National Award (for Pushpa). My dearest friend and darling Prabhas is one of the highest-paid Indian actors. Mahesh Babu and SS Rajamouli’s upcoming movie will be the biggest venture in Asia. MM Keeravani is the first Telugu to win an Oscar. Hence, this is the right time to celebrate Telugu cinema,” he pointed out.
The actor disclosed that other film industries like Mollywood, Sandalwood, Kollywood, and Bollywood have already responded positively to “Navathi Utsavam“.
“Superstar Mohanlal garu from the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) in Kerala has reacted positively. The support from the other South Indian film industries is equally valuable. We want to do the biggest event on behalf of MAA in July in Malaysia. We will talk to the industry bigwigs and announce the date of ‘Navathi Utsavam‘ soon,” the MAA president said.
Vishnu Manchu felt that the Telugu cinema is now enjoying a golden era since the local content is going global. “I am proud to be a Telugu actor. Through “Navathi Utsavam“, we want to celebrate the glory of the Telugu cinema.”
“Big stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Anil Kapoor were once introduced to the silver screen by Telugu filmmakers. It is time we remember the honour of such legends who put Telugu cinema on a pedestal,” he added.
