Cricket and cinema have always shared a deep emotional connection with Indian audiences, and a new initiative aims to celebrate that bond in a grand and inclusive way. The Tollywood Pro League, a unique cricket tournament bringing together professionals from all departments of the Telugu film industry, was officially launched at a grand event held at a leading hotel in Hyderabad. The launch ceremony drew significant attention with legendary cricketers Kapil Dev, Virender Sehwag, and Suresh Raina gracing the occasion as chief guests.
The Tollywood Pro League has been conceptualised by actor and organiser Vamsi Chaganti along with EBG Group’s Irfan Khan and Hari. The idea behind the league is to move beyond the usual celebrity cricket matches and create a platform where professionals from all 24 departments of the film industry can come together, set aside their designations, and play the sport as equals.
Speaking at the launch, Vamsi Chaganti explained that the inspiration for the league came from a personal experience. He recalled playing a cricket match with members of the police department, where senior officer C.V. Anand and constable Loknath Naik opened the innings together. Watching them play as teammates without any hierarchy left a lasting impact on him. That moment sparked the thought that the Telugu film industry too has many talented cricket players across departments, and bringing them together under one league would foster unity and healthy competition.
He further revealed that when he shared the idea with producer Dil Raju, the response was immediate and encouraging. Dil Raju not only appreciated the concept but also assured full support, urging Vamsi to execute it with confidence. Following this, the proposal was shared with Irfan Khan and Hari, who extended their backing and helped shape the league into a large-scale initiative.
The Tollywood Pro League will be held over five days on February 13, 14, 15, 21, and 22 at the Uppal Stadium in Hyderabad. Six teams will compete in the tournament, with each team owned by prominent production houses from the Telugu film industry. While the identities of the team owners have been kept confidential for now, the organisers have promised official announcements in the coming days.
Organisers Irfan Khan and Hari stated that the league is not just about entertainment but also about giving back to society. They announced that a portion of the revenue generated through the tournament will be allocated to welfare and social service initiatives, under the supervision of Dil Raju in his capacity as chairman of the Film Development Corporation. They also expressed confidence that, with continued support, similar leagues could be organised across other regions of India in the future.
Addressing the gathering, Dil Raju described the Tollywood Pro League as more than just a cricket tournament. He likened it to a Telugu cinema Alayi–Balayi, symbolising unity and celebration in the spirit of Telangana’s traditions. He reiterated his commitment to ensuring the league’s success and praised the organisers for bringing together cinema and cricket in such an inclusive format.
During the event, the official Tollywood Pro League logo, team jerseys, and the winners’ trophy were unveiled by Kapil Dev, Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina, Dil Raju, music composer Thaman S, Irfan Khan, Sonu Sood, Raashii Khanna, and Hari. The unveiling added to the excitement surrounding the league and marked the formal beginning of preparations.
Several leading filmmakers including Anil Ravipudi, Prashanth Varma, Sailesh Kolanu, and Omkar also attended the launch. They shared their enthusiasm for the concept and encouraged film industry professionals from all departments to actively participate. A special cricket-themed promotional video directed by Sailesh Kolanu was also released during the event.
The launch ceremony saw the presence of several prominent producers including T.G. Vishwaprasad, Rajeev Reddy, Naga Vamsi, Sahu Garapati, and Bapineedu, along with actors Ashwin Babu, Khayyum, Harsha Chemudu, and members of the Committee Kurrollu film team. Actors Murali Sharma, Ashish Vidyarthi, and Dino Morea were also among the attendees. Nearly 150 cricket-playing professionals from various film industry departments participated in the celebrations, underlining the league’s inclusive and community-driven vision.
