Now, Telugu actors join hands to help flood-ravaged Chennai

The Telugu film industry, which has its roots in Chennai, has come together to help the flooded city and its stranded people.

The Telugu film industry, which has its roots in Chennai, has come together to help the flooded city and its stranded people.

Volunteers carrying out relief operations in Velachery, one of the worst flood-hit areas in Chennai. (PTI)

While some top Tollywood stars have pledged large sums of money, several actors took to Twitter with the hashtag #ManaMadrasKosam (For Our Madras), appealing for people to help and also channelling their own efforts to one place.

Telugu actors are using a Twitter hashtag #ManaMadrasKosam (For Our Madras), appealing for people to help and also channelling their own efforts to one place

Bahubali star Rana Daggubati led the initiative, collecting donations of food, water and other essentials at his family-owned Ramanaidu Studios. “Please send whatever you feel like to Ramanaidu studios Film Nagar. We will ensure that it is sent to Chennai!!” Rana tweeted.

The Telugu film industry originated and expanded in the then-Madras but shifted to Hyderabad in the 1980s. Most of the stars today spent their childhood in the city.

“Madras is like a mother to us and we are moved by its plight now. I am proud of what our younger lot is doing for the city,” said veteran actor and Movie Artists Association president Rajendra Prasad.

The chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have already extended a helping hand to their Tamil Nadu counterpart J Jayalalithaa. On direction of their CMs, the chief secretaries of the two states spoke to the Tamil Nadu chief secretary.

Andhra officials also agreed to control water outflows from the dams in Chittoor district to avoid flooding of areas in Tiruvallur district.