Tollywood takes to rituals after deaths of cine personalities

The Telugu movie industry plans to organise a 'Maha Mrutyunjaya Homam' ritual here "to ward off evil" after about 20 film personalities died in the last three months, sources said here today.
The 'Maha Mrutyunjaya Homam' would be performed on March 23, March 24 and March 25 here, a top cinema personality and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP M Murali Mohan told PTI.
Some Vedic pundits who were consulted on the matter suggested performing the 'Homam', he said.
Noted spiritual guru Sri Swaroopanandendra Saraswati Swami of Visakhapatnam, who is involved in running the temple complex at Film Nagar here, had broached the subject with him on his own, Murali Mohan said.

The spiritual guru also favoured performing a 'Homam' to ensure that peace and happiness prevails in the Telugu film industry, he said.
Replying to a query, he 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, actor 'Ahuti' Prasad, actor M S Narayana, music director Chakri, writer Ganesh Patro as well as veteran movie maker V B Rajendra Prasad.