The Telangana government frequently boasts about its capital, Hyderabad, projecting it as a global city.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has even called it the cinema hub of the world, highlighting new investments and the emergence of large-scale film studios. However, the ground reality tells a very different story, as exposed by a recent incident.
The Raja Saab, a film released across the world, shockingly failed to release in Telangana. The reason was not technical or logistical but administrative.
Producers were forced to wait endlessly for a Government Order permitting an increase in ticket prices.
As the GO failed to arrive even by 10:30 p.m. on the scheduled release day, shows were cancelled, leaving theatres, distributors and audiences in complete uncertainty.
This incident becomes even more serious considering the scale of the film. The Raja Saab is reportedly made with an investment of Rs 550 crore and stars Prabhas, one of the most celebrated actors in Indian cinema.
When such a high-profile project is treated with indecision and delay, it raises serious questions about governance and coordination.
So, where does the fault lie? The government’s role is clearly questionable. If it had no intention of granting permission, it should have denied the request outright instead of delaying the decision until the last minute.
Alternatively, it could have acted decisively and issued the GO on time, as the Andhra Pradesh government did.
By keeping film stakeholders in suspense and testing the patience of fans, who are also citizens of Telangana, the government’s approach appears unclear and poorly managed.
At the same time, producers must also take responsibility for assuming approvals without official confirmation, thereby leaving audiences confused and disappointed.
Ultimately, this episode dents Hyderabad’s claims of being a global cinema hub. Big words and branding mean little without timely decisions, administrative clarity and respect for both industry stakeholders and the public.
