Could this be the case for better Tollywood film contracts?

Actress Saira Banu. Photo Credit:idlebrain

Telugu actresses Saira Banu and Jyothi were arrested last week for prostitution in an upscale Hyderabad apartment, with seven other women and their supposed customers.

The gorgeous Banu (not to be mistaken for Bollywood legend Saira Banu, or AR Rahman’s wife of the same name), is famed for her roles in Simha, Bommarillu and Inkosari. Jyothi, known for her smaller roles, has appeared in Andaru Dongale, Hungama, Aranyam and others.

The police had to forcibly remove the actresses from the hotel, and the ladies are claiming innocence. But the arrest shines a spotlight on crime that’s tainting Tollywood actors. Last year, Jaya Lakshmi, known as Seema (Sakutumba Saparivara Samethamga) was arrested for prostitution in her parents’ Mumbai brothel. And on Aug. 19, famed actor Ravi Teja’s (Nee Kosam) brothers were arrested for dealing about 60 grams of cocaine. Police said more than 60 high-profile people are actually involved in the drug bust — so there’s no telling who’s next.

Why are these actors and their families (allegedly) resorting to major crimes to take care of themselves?

What happened in that Hyderabad apartment is yet to be seen. But what I do know is that the Tollywood film industry is growing in millions of US dollars every year. Banu’s latest film Simha enjoyed one of the biggest openings in Telugu film history, grossing more than $5.5 million. Is the answer in their studio contracts?