During the YSRCP regime, there was a prevailing opinion that the Amma Vodi scheme had an unexpected ripple effect on the entertainment industry.
With many families receiving financial support, a significant portion of the population became more comfortable spending on non-essentials, including movie outings.
This was particularly evident during the release of Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, when Amma Vodi was released freshly then, which saw strong collections partly attributed to this newfound spending power.
It's a common pattern when families feel financially secure, they’re more likely to indulge in entertainment, especially big-budget films with star-studded casts.
Welfare schemes not only lifted household confidence but also bustled local markets and cinema revenues, particularly for high-profile releases.
Now, under the alliance government, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is set to release funds for the Thalliki Vandanam scheme this week.
The timing is interesting, as the much-awaited film Kuberaa, starring Rashmika Mandanna, Dhanush, and Nagarjuna, directed by Sekhar Kammula, is nearing release.
Will this welfare payout drive footfalls to theatres once again? That remains to be seen, but all eyes are on how the synergy between public spending and cinema unfolds this time around.
