In a significant setback to the producers of the film ‘The Raja Saab’, the Telangana high court on Friday suspended the government memo permitting an increase in movie ticket prices and directed ticketing platform BookMyShow to collect tickets only at the old rates.
The high court was hearing petitions filed challenging the hike in ticket prices for “Raja Saab”. Advocate Vijay Gopal, appearing for the petitioners, argued that authorities were routinely allowing ticket price hikes in violation of established norms whenever big films are released.
He informed the court that the home department secretary does not have the authority to issue memos permitting ticket price hikes.
As per the rules, only district collectors and, in Hyderabad, the Commissioner of Police are empowered to grant permission for ticket price increases and benefit shows, he contended.
After hearing the arguments, the high court expressed strong displeasure over the practice of issuing memos to increase ticket prices.
The court questioned the government pleader, asking why such memos are “cleverly” issued every time a major film is released.
The judge observed that the concerned minister had recently publicly announced that ticket prices would not be increased.
“Despite that, permissions are being granted repeatedly. This is not the first time the court is inquiring into such memos. How many times must we say this before your approach changes?” the court remarked.
The judge further noted, “Twenty years ago, Hyderabad had uniform ticket pricing. But now, every time, ticket rates are being increased. This is causing hardship to the common public. We too go to cinemas and we know the ticket prices,” the court said, expressing its displeasure.
Taking serious note of the issue, the High Court suspended the ticket price hike memo and directed BookMyShow to collect ticket charges only as per the old rates until further orders.
The order is expected to provide immediate relief to moviegoers and has once again brought the issue of arbitrary ticket price hikes during big film releases under judicial scrutiny.
