The team behind OG faced yet another setback on Friday after the Telangana High Court once again refused to permit a hike in cinema ticket prices for the film.
The division bench was hearing petitions against the state government’s order that allowed increased ticket rates for the Pawan Kalyan starrer.
A single-judge bench continued its earlier interim orders and directed the state government to file a counter explaining the rationale for permitting higher rates.
The matter has now been adjourned to October 9, with the interim stay remaining in force until then.
During the hearing, senior advocate Niranjan Reddy, appearing for the OG team, made a striking argument.
“Coffee in a five-star hotel costs ₹500. Tickets for singers like Diljit Dosanjh are priced in the thousands, and organisers decide those rates. Why should there be restrictions only on OG ticket prices?” he asked.
Reddy further pointed out that in Delhi, a ticket to watch OG could cost as much as ₹1,500, similar to an IPL match.
“Why don’t petitioners question those prices, but come only against cinema ticket hikes?” he argued.
He also noted that the Telangana government had already capped the hike at just ₹100–₹150.
“If even that is unaffordable, the petitioner can always watch later at normal rates. But insisting on first-day access at his chosen price — how is that reasonable?” he asked.
However, the High Court was not convinced and ruled out any increase in ticket prices until October 9.
Earlier, the Telangana government had issued a GO permitting higher rates for OG, including premiere shows and for one week post-release.
The order allowed single-screen theatres to charge up to ₹100 above normal rates and multiplexes up to ₹150.
This GO was challenged by petitioner Mahesh Yadav, and on September 24 a single-judge bench suspended it.
The producers then appealed before a division bench, which temporarily stayed the suspension order until Friday’s hearing. With today’s adjournment, the case will now come up on October 9.
