Trump’s 100% Tariff Move Would Hit Telugu Cinema Hard, Says Lagadapati Sridhar

The move, Sridhar said, will “rob Telugu NRIs of their small pleasure” as cinema remains one of their strongest connections to their homeland

xFilm producer Lagadapati Sridhar has expressed deep concern over U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest announcement that the United States will impose a 100% tariff on all films made outside the country. The move, Sridhar said, will “rob Telugu NRIs of their small pleasure” as cinema remains one of their strongest connections to their homeland. “Telugu films have been steadily expanding their fan base across North America. Big releases have contributed nearly 10–15% of their budgets from U.S. collections, but this move could cause a near collapse of that model,” Sridhar noted.

He pointed out that moviegoers in the U.S. already spend $12–18 for Holl