Telugu film fraternity plans ‘homam’ to ward off ‘evil spirits’

The Telugu film fraternity, which has been hit by a string of deaths of prominent film personalities, flops and mishaps in the last 20 months, is planning to hold a three-day ‘Mrityunjaya Homam’ to ward off evil spirits, which many believe, have cast a spell on the film industry.

The ‘Amrutha Pasupatha Maha Mrityunjaya Homam’ will be performed from March 23 to 25 at Daiva Sannidanam in Film Nagar, which churns out between 100 and 150 films every year.

Actor Y Seshagiri Rao, member of the Movie Artists Association, said a series of untimely deaths including that of movie moghul D Ramanaidu, who was suffering from cancer, has shaken the industry. “We are going through a spell of bad luck and unexpected deaths in the industry. We believe that performing the homam will bring good luck and peace, and ward off the bad omen. It will be good for everyone, not just artists,” Rao, popularly known as Giri Babu, said.

While everyone knew that Ramanaidu, 79, who produced over 150 movies in 15 languages, was suffering from cancer, his sudden death on February 18 shocked the industry. Ramanaidu is credited with playing key role in establishing the Telugu film industry, which was earlier in Chennai, in Hyderabad. “Since October 2013, bad incidents are occurring. On one hand directors, producers and financiers are incurring loses. On the other, actors and artists are dying, some of them young. Some unfortunate incidents affected Swetha Prasad Basu and many upcoming artists,” an association member said.

Officials claim that spiritual head Sri Swarupanandendra Saraswati Swami who oversees management of the temple at Film Nagar suggested that rituals to appease the Gods should be performed.

Source:: Indian Express