Yagna performed to ward off evil from Tollywood

The Telugu movie industry, popularly called Tollywood, organised a 'Maha Mrutyunjaya Homam' ritual here "to ward off any evil" after about 20 movie personalities died during the last three months, sources said.

The three-day 'Homam' commenced today at the temple complex at Film Nagar here. Vedic pundits and spiritual guru Sri Swaroopanandendra Saraswati Swami of Visakhapatnam are part of the exercise. 

Top movie personality and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP M Murali Mohan had said that he consulted some pundits on the death of a number of movie personalities in recent months, who had suggested performing the ritual.

Sri Swaroopanandendra Saraswati Swami, who is involved in running the Film Nagar temple complex, had broached the subject with him on his own, Murali Mohan had said. The spiritual guru also favoured performing a 'Homam' ritual to ensure that peace and happiness prevails in the Telugu movie industry.

Replying to a query, Murali Mohan had said there could be some who may not believe in such efforts. "We are not forcing anyone. We are doing it with a good intention and for a good purpose. It does not cause any loss," he said.

Some noted Telugu cinema personalities who passed away in recent months include renowned movie producer D Rama Naidu, actors 'Ahuti' Prasad and MS Narayana, music director Chakri, screenwriter Ganesh Patro as well as veteran movie maker VB Rajendra Prasad.