Bhadradri Kothagudem, Oct.16 : Chilli farmers in Chintaguppa village under Cherla mandal in Bhadradri Kothagudem district have drawn widespread attention by installing giant flex posters featuring popular film stars near their agricultural fields. While film posters are usually erected during movie releases or celebrity birthdays, these vibrant displays stand tall right amidst lush chilli crops.
Inquiries into the unusual trend revealed that the posters were not installed to scare away wild animals or birds. Instead, local farmers explained that the giant flexes serve to ward off the ‘evil eye’ (drishti). The strategy ensures that passersby immediately focus on the eye-catching celebrity images rather than staring directly at the crops, which traditional beliefs suggest could harm yield.
Combining traditional customs with creative thinking, local farmers continue to adopt novel techniques to protect their investments. The sight of cinema stars standing guard over chilli fields in Cherla’s forest belt has become a hot topic of discussion among travelers and local residents across the region.
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