In a candid reflection on the changing cinema landscape, actor Rana Daggubati highlighted the stark contrast between the movie-going experience in South and North India. He stated that cinema remains affordable and accessible in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, while it has become a costlier affair in major northern metros like Mumbai and Delhi.

Rana credited the Telugu film industry’s success to its rich content diversity from pan-India blockbusters like Baahubali to low-budget films like Court, which recently made waves. He emphasized that the South has retained its stronghold due to its cultural rooting, viable single-screen operations, and affordable ticket prices.

In contrast, Rana observed a decline in theatre footfalls across North India, where multiplex dominance and rising costs have distanced many from cinemas. The actor noted a global trend: a steep decline in the number of theatres, now one-third of what existed seven years ago, as OTT platforms and digital media become the dominant modes of content consumption.

Despite this shift, Rana remains optimistic. He believes cinema will find its rhythm again and that regions like the Telugu states are proving that the theatre model can still thrive when rooted in strong storytelling and audience connection.