TFTDDA By-Elections Set for July 26 Amid Dancers’ Union Dispute

Hyderabad, July 16, 2026: The Telugu Film and Television Dancers and Dance Directors’ Association will conduct by-elections on July 26 to fill positions left vacant following the resignation of several executive committee members.

The decision follows a tense General Body meeting held on July 12, during which members debated the association’s election process, administrative authority, and allegations of financial irregularities. Association president Sumalatha maintained that the controversy was an organisational dispute and not a personal conflict between choreographers Jani Master and Sekhar Master.

Majority Supports Elections for Vacant Posts

According to Sumalatha, 78 association members participated in a ballot during the General Body meeting. She said 75 members supported holding by-elections only for the vacant positions, while three opposed the proposal.

The current executive committee’s stand is that the office-bearers who have not resigned should be allowed to complete their remaining tenure. Sumalatha said the existing committee still has approximately one-and-a-half years left in office and argued that the association’s bylaws do not require the entire body to be dissolved whenever some members resign.

Based on the voting result, TFTDDA announced that the vacant posts would be filled through by-elections scheduled for July 26.

Sumalatha Raises Financial Irregularity Allegations

Addressing the media after the meeting, Sumalatha alleged that disagreements within the association intensified after the current leadership questioned financial transactions involving former office-bearers.

She claimed that information related to the suspected irregularities had been placed before the General Body. According to her, some executive committee members later resigned and supported the demand for fresh elections to the entire committee.

Sumalatha argued that the association should first investigate the disputed transactions and attempt to recover any money found to have been improperly handled. However, the claims remain allegations, and the reports reviewed do not indicate that an independent investigation has reached any conclusion regarding them.

TFIEF Reportedly Favours Complete Elections

The Telugu Film Industry Employees Federation, an umbrella organisation representing 24 film workers’ unions, reportedly favoured conducting elections for the entire TFTDDA executive committee instead of limiting the process to the vacant positions.

Sumalatha said the association respects the Federation but maintained that TFTDDA’s General Body has the authority to determine its election agenda. She argued that decisions concerning the association should be made according to its own bylaws and through voting by its members.

The disagreement over whether to hold complete elections or limited by-elections remains at the centre of the dispute between the association leadership and those opposing the July 26 poll plan.

Police Called After Meeting Becomes Tense

The General Body meeting reportedly became tense after some members were allegedly prevented from entering the venue. Minor scuffles were reported, prompting police personnel to arrive and bring the situation under control.

Separate reports said around 10 office-bearers had resigned amid disagreements over the proposed election process. Opposing members reportedly questioned whether by-elections could be conducted without broader consultations or approval from the Federation.

Jani Master Denies Personal Rift With Sekhar Master

The controversy also generated speculation about strained relations between Jani Master and Sekhar Master. However, Jani Master later denied having any personal conflict with his fellow choreographer.

He said reports portraying the organisational disagreement as a personal rivalry were misleading and maintained that the two choreographers continued to share a respectful relationship.

Chiranjeevi reportedly spoke to both choreographers following the controversy. Jani Master said they subsequently spent time together on a film set, discussed the situation, and had lunch, helping reduce speculation about a continuing personal feud.

What Happens Next?

TFTDDA is expected to proceed with the July 26 by-elections for the positions vacated by the resigned office-bearers. The association leadership has cited the 75–3 General Body vote as its mandate for conducting the limited election.

However, the wider disagreement over the Federation’s authority, the interpretation of TFTDDA’s by-laws, and the allegations concerning earlier financial transactions may continue even after the vacant positions are filled.

The immediate focus will be on whether the by-election process proceeds without further objections and whether discussions between the association, Federation representatives, and senior Telugu film industry figures lead to a broader settlement.