The Telugu Film and TV Dancers and Dance Directors Association (TFTDDA) marked a milestone on Thursday with the grand swearing-in ceremony of its newly elected body. VV Sumalatha Devi officially took the oath as the President of the association, becoming the first woman to lead the union.
Speaking at the event, Jani Master expressed his deep gratitude to the members for the trust placed in the new leadership. He underlined a welfare-driven agenda, specifically focusing on the long-term security of dancers and technicians. He revealed that health insurance remains a top priority, noting that when he approached actor Ram Charan with the proposal, the star immediately provided financial assistance. He also shared an ambitious vision for the future of the union's members. "My wish is that when a member of our union retires, we should plan to give them approximately ten to fifteen lakhs at that time," he stated, adding that he is praying for this goal to be realized. He further thanked Srisailam Yadav and Naveen Yadav for their assurance regarding the allocation of land plots for union members.
Following her husband’s address, Sumalatha Devi took the stage to thank the voters and the community for their support. She committed herself to a proactive leadership style aimed at strengthening the internal fabric of the association.
The event saw strong words of support from the invited guests. Jubilee Hills MLA Naveen Yadav praised the election of a female president, suggesting that Sumalatha’s victory would bring a "new dimension" to the union. He lauded Jani Master’s journey from humble beginnings and reaffirmed his family's commitment to standing by film workers. Srisailam Yadav congratulated the winners but urged the members to maintain internal harmony. He advised the union to resolve minor issues internally rather than seeking external legal intervention, which he noted could damage the association's reputation. "Let's all move forward together," he urged.
Producer C Kalyan also spoke, highlighting the philanthropic history of Srisailam Yadav’s family and their consistent support for the film industry. He remarked that despite many attempts to pull Jani Master down, the choreographer has risen to great heights, and he predicted that Sumalatha's leadership would usher in "good days" for the union.
The New Executive Body: Alongside Sumalatha Devi, the following members took their oaths to serve the association:
General Secretary: K. Srinivasa Rao
Treasurer: P. Chiranjeevi Kumar
Vice Presidents: K. Suresh and M. Raju
Joint Secretaries: K. Kiran Kumar and A. Ramu
Executive Secretary: U. Shiva Krishna
Committee Members: K. Satish Goud, K. Sridevi, P. Suresh, S. Vedant, Manohar, L. Krishna, B. Suman, R. Bose, and S. Shruti.
