Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has made a clear commitment to banning benefit shows and ticket price hikes in the state as long as he remains in office. This decision comes in the wake of a tragic incident near Sandhya Theatre during the release of Pushpa 2. The move has stirred mixed reactions across the film industry.
On Monday, members of the Telangana Film Chamber Exhibitors Association held a meeting to discuss the CM's announcement, followed by a press conference. Telangana Film Chamber President Vijayender Reddy expressed his appreciation for the Chief Minister’s decision, describing it as a much-needed relief for single-screen theaters that have been struggling to stay afloat. He also thanked the Cinematography Minister for their support.
On the other hand, Ramprasad, the President of the Telugu Exhibitors Association, raised concerns about the practice of producers setting higher ticket prices based on the budget of the film. He argued that this practice creates additional financial burdens on both audiences and theater owners. He also expressed hope that Telangana's policy could inspire similar decisions in neighboring Andhra Pradesh.
Balagovind, the Secretary of the Telangana Exhibitors Association, pointed out the confusion among moviegoers caused by fluctuating ticket prices. He supported the government’s decision, emphasizing that inflated ticket prices for big-budget films were draining audiences' spending power and harming smaller films’ ability to draw viewers.
Despite the potential for producers to maximize revenues, theater owners and exhibitors, who face the practical challenges, welcomed the Chief Minister’s stance. They also expressed their dissatisfaction with early-morning shows, which they believe are hard to manage, especially when dealing with unruly and intoxicated moviegoers. Additionally, concerns about fire hazards posed by dangerous substances brought into theaters were raised.
Exhibitors also acknowledged that the rising popularity of OTT platforms, with new films becoming available within a month of their theatrical release, and the higher ticket prices, have led to fewer people attending theaters. This, they fear, could be detrimental to the survival of single-screen theaters.
The decision has been generally welcomed by theater owners, who thanked CM Revanth Reddy for his support. However, it remains to be seen how producers and distributors will respond to this policy. For the film business to thrive, it will require a unified approach from all parties involved. TFDC Chairman Dil Raju may play a key role in finding a solution that works for everyone in the industry.
