High Drama & Pandemonium: Telugu Dancers' Association General Body Turns into Battlefield; President Sumalatha Devi Files Assault & Death Threat Complaint!
Tensions within the craft unions of Tollywood reached a boiling point on Thursday after the general body meeting of the Telugu Film and TV Dancers and Dance Directors Association (TFTDDA) descended into outright physical confrontation. The premises around Raghava Guest House in Indiranagar, near the Telugu Film Chamber in Jubilee Hills, turned chaotic with pushing, shoving, and loud shouting matches, leaving cine workers and industry veterans stunned.
Following the fracas, Association President V.V. Sumalatha Devi approached the Banjara Hills Police Station, formally lodging a complaint alleging physical battery, targeted assault, attempts to seize official records, and open death threats by an organized group.
Dispute Over Crucial Records: What Triggered the Clashes?
According to Sumalatha Devi’s formal police submission, the dispute erupted when an opposing faction attempted to disrupt the scheduled meeting proceedings and forcibly cart away vital administrative documents:
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Attempt to Seize Union Registers: The altercation escalated when members tried to walk away with the official Minutes Book, agenda files, and audited administrative documents.
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Physical Assault on Leadership: Sumalatha Devi stated that when she intervened to safeguard the registers, a group surrounded and physically assaulted her. Executive body member M. Ramulu and a woman identified as Samili, who rushed to shield her, were also reportedly manhandled and injured in the ensuing melee.
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Demand for Resignation Under Duress: The complainant asserted that the attackers issued explicit death threats against her and her family if she refused to step down immediately from the post of Association President.
Choreographers Named in Police Complaint
The complaint contains pointed allegations against prominent dance directors and faction members, suggesting deep-rooted administrative fractures within the union:
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Specific Attackers Named: Sumalatha Devi alleged that female dancers allied with Raghu Master executed a coordinated attack, using abusive language while assaulting her. The complaint names individuals including Likhitha, Poojitha, Kalyani, Sumathi, Vimala, Kokila, Madhurya, Shruthi, Sridevi, and Edu kondala Srinu.
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Factions and Secession Row: The president claimed that top choreographers—including Sekhar Master, Raghu Master, Bhanu Master, Ajay Sai Master, and Joseph Prakash Master—have been orchestrating discord within the existing union in an attempt to float a rival dancers' association.
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Federation Chief Under Scrutiny: She further alleged that these disruptive activities may have had the tacit backing and encouragement of Telugu Film Industry Employees Federation President Anil Kumar Vallabhaneni, urging investigators to probe his potential role.
Plea for Video Evidence and Police Intervention
Sumalatha Devi has formally urged the Banjara Hills police to secure CCTV footage from Raghava Guest House, along with attendee smartphone recordings and audio clips, to verify the sequence of events. She requested the swift recovery of the seized Minutes Book and registration papers, alongside criminal registration under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and protection for her family.
As the police initiate preliminary inquiries and review available video logs, the bitter infighting within the Telugu Dancers Association threatens to trigger a wider shakeup across Tollywood craft federations.
