A new era of cinematography begins in Andhra Pradesh: Minister Kandula Durgesh

Andhra Pradesh is positioning itself as a major hub for film production and tourism, marking the start of a new chapter in its cinematography industry, announced Tourism and Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh. Speaking at the prestigious Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Big Picture Summit 2025 held at JW Marriott, Juhu, Mumbai on December 1-2, the minister invited investors to explore opportunities in the state’s growing entertainment sector.

Minister Durgesh highlighted that Telugu cinema is the second-largest film industry in India after Bollywood, accounting for nearly 20% of the national film market. He cited world-renowned films such as Baahubali, RRR, Kalki 2898 AD, the Pushpa series, Salaar, and OG, praising their storytelling and visual effects that have established Telugu films as a global brand. With 1,103 screens, Andhra Pradesh ranks second only to Tamil Nadu in South India, underscoring the state’s potential as a cinema powerhouse.

The minister outlined plans to make Andhra Pradesh the most film-friendly state in India. A comprehensive Film Tourism Policy will soon be unveiled to strengthen the industry from production to exhibition. The government will support ventures establishing integrated film cities, modern studios, dubbing, and re-recording facilities. Shooting permissions in government and public areas will be fast-tracked and transparent. Prestigious awards and festivals, including the Nandi Awards and Nandi Natakotsavam, will be reinstated to honor artists and technical experts in the state.

Minister Durgesh also detailed various incentives for investors in media and entertainment, including industry status for tourism and hospitality projects, which enables quick eligibility for multiple rebates. By 2029, Andhra Pradesh aims to attract ₹25,000 crore (approx. $3 billion) in private investment, with nearly ₹24,000 crore already in the pipeline and approvals for over ₹6,000 crore in progress. Other benefits include 100% stamp duty reimbursement on land purchases or leases, exemptions on land conversion charges for eligible tourism projects, and 100% reimbursement of State GST for up to 15 years, depending on the project scale. Capital investment incentives range up to 25% for MSMEs and up to 10% for large or mega projects.

Looking ahead, Minister Durgesh emphasized that the state’s Swarna Andhra Vision aims to grow Andhra Pradesh into a ₹2.4 trillion economy by 2047. Andhra Pradesh is investing heavily to become a global hub for AI, VFX, and gaming. Key locations such as Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Amaravati, Srisailam, and Araku Valley are being developed as anchor hubs, with 21 thematic circuits inviting investment.

The minister encouraged investors to use cinematography to showcase Andhra Pradesh’s beauty to the world, promising world-class studios, dubbing, and post-production facilities. He described the state as a gateway to global audiences for South Indian content and stressed the importance of transparent governance for sustainable growth. During the summit, Minister Durgesh, along with Tourism Department MD Amrapali Kat, met with key industry figures including CII officials, Sony Entertainment Business Head Nachiket Pantvaidya, and YouTube India MD Gunjan Soni to discuss opportunities and collaborations.