A fresh battle appears to be brewing in the Telugu film industry’s dancers’ community, with a group of dancers reportedly planning to float a new union under the leadership of choreographer Raghu Master.
Sources say around 100 dancers are holding a meeting at a hotel to discuss the formation of a new body. “Raghu Master is the frontrunner to head the proposed union, with the support of Sekhar Master and others,” says a source. “More than 350 dancers are keen on electing a new team as they are unhappy with the functioning of the present president, Ms. Sumalatha, and her team,” he adds.
The proposed new body is expected to submit a memorandum to the Telugu Film Industry Employees Federation seeking official recognition. According to sources, the dancers believe the federation could recognise the new union as a majority of members are seeking a change.
The development comes after the federation announced non-cooperation with the Sumalatha-led Telugu Film & TV Dancers and Dance Directors Association, alleging unilateral activities. “The federation may support the new team to ensure dancers continue to get work and their interests are protected,” the source points out.
Earlier, choreographer Jani Master and his wife, Ms. Sumalatha, took over the dancers’ union and subsequently severed ties with the federation, escalating tensions between the two bodies.
Rajeswar Reddy, former general secretary of the Telugu Film Employees Federation, says the federation will support any union that follows its rules. “Any union that abides by the federation’s rules will get our complete support. The federation is the supreme body and nobody should think otherwise. A few dancers have gone overboard by overlooking the federation’s role and work, but they will soon realise their folly,” he says.
The latest developments are the fallout of a dispute between Jani Master and Sekhar Master that gradually snowballed into a larger confrontation between the dancers’ union and the federation over the past few months.