Vizag Film Club needs a fresh start: MLA Ganta

Former Minister and Bhimili MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao addressed recent controversies surrounding the Vizag Film Club, stating that the club, which was originally founded in 2015 with the intention of bringing the film industry to Visakhapatnam, has deviated from its purpose.

On Saturday, Ganta Srinivasa Rao, along with North MLA P. Vishnu Kumar Raju, visited the Filmnagar Cultural Center in Thimmapuram. Speaking to the media, Ganta said the club, established with good intentions, lost its direction after the change in government in 2019, becoming more of a political entity than a cultural one.

He pointed out several irregularities, including the introduction of life memberships—something not originally part of the club’s rules—and issues with the recent election notification process. He also noted that the previous committee had resigned amid the turmoil, and that the club currently has over 1,500 members.

Calling for a cleanup of the Film Club’s operations, Ganta emphasized the need for dedicated land and a permanent building for the organization. He reiterated that there is widespread support for transforming Visakhapatnam into a film industry hub and added that many leading figures in cinema are open to the idea.

“Visakhapatnam holds sentimental value for the film industry,” he said. “We are committed to making the Vizag Film Club a model cultural institution and turning the city into a thriving film hub.”