If the reports coming from Andhra Pradesh government are any indication, the cinema ticket prices in theatres of the state are going to be increased substantially in the next couple of weeks.
According to these reports, the Jagan Mohan Reddy government has tentatively agreed to revert to the pre-April 2021 cinema ticket prices.
“If not more, the revised ticket prices would be at least 80 percent of the old rates,” these reports said.
Sources said a revised government order on the cinema ticket prices is expected by February 10. The government may also allow theatres to screen one or two additional shows of the new films in the first week, but the permission would be given on case to case basis.
Hitherto, there had been a talk in the film industry circles that the Jagan government had completely ignored the cinema ticket prices, even after the chief minister’s meeting with megastar Chiranjeevi three weeks ago.
Soon after the meeting, the megastar requested the film industry people not to make any adverse comments on the cinema tickets pricing issue as the chief minister had assured to take a positive look into the issue. Even another senior hero Akkineni Nagarjuna hoped that the meeting would do good for the industry.
But nothing was heard from the Jagan government even after three weeks and it led to the talk that Jagan has taken it easy.
“Chiranjeevi went to Tadepalli, had sumptuous mutton biryani and returned with high hopes. What is the result?” was the talk in the film industry.
As if adding insult to injury, state cinematographic minister Perni Nani said Chiranjeevi only had a courtesy call of the chief minister and nobody knew what they had discussed.
“If it was an official meeting, we would have been there,” he observed.
This led to some kind of uncertainty in the film industry. Nobody knows when restrictions on additional shows and 50 per cent occupancy rule would be removed. As nothing was heard from the government, film makers are hesitant to release films in February. Except Ravi Teja’s Khiladi, no other films are being released this month.
However, reports from the government said the decision on cinema ticket rates would be taken soon.
“The government has taken Chiranjeevi into the loop and everything is being finalised in consultation with him,” sources said.
Perhaps that is the reason why there was a sudden announcement of release of big ticket films in April and May.
