Surprising and shocking as it might sound, the Telangana government order allowing increased ticket prices for Nandamuri Balakrishna-starrer Akhanda-2, released on Friday and also permitting the premiers on Thursday night, was issued without the knowledge of state cinematography minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy.
Komatireddy himself disclosed this on Friday, stating that he had absolutely no knowledge of the government permitting increased ticket prices for the Akhanda 2, insisting that the decision was taken without his approval.
He said the officials of the department might have issued the GO in a routine manner, while he was occupied with the Telangana Rising Global Summit.
He said he had already made it clear in the state assembly last year itself that ticket price hikes would not be allowed for any film hereafter.
He questioned why film producers continued to pay exorbitant remuneration to stars and then sought higher ticket rates to offset costs.
“I was busy with the Global Summit. My department officials mistakenly gave permission without informing me,” the minister said.
Komatireddy reiterated that cinema was for middle-class and lower middle-class families.
“How can ticket prices be raised arbitrarily? People from the film industry should not ask me to increase ticket prices,” he said.
His explanation, however, triggered a wave of criticism from political observers and film-industry commentators who questioned how the minister could claim ignorance about decisions made by his own department.
Critics demanded to know whether disciplinary action would be taken against officials who allegedly issued the permission “by mistake.”
The controversy also revived questions about the government’s shifting policy stance on premiere shows, benefit shows, and ticket price revisions.
Following the last year’s Sandhya Theatre tragedy, the government had categorically declared that there would be no benefit shows, no premiere shows, and no hike in ticket prices.
Despite this earlier stance, major releases—including OG—saw higher-priced premiere shows, drawing the ire of the high court. The high court on Friday expressed anger over excessive prices listed on BookMyShow and questioned the government’s failure to enforce its own policy.
The court again asked why contempt proceedings should not be initiated in light of repeated violations.
The division bench has now stayed an earlier Single Bench order and adjourned the matter, adding further uncertainty.
With the judiciary, government, and industry engaged in a continuous tug-of-war, stakeholders are expressing frustration over unclear and inconsistent regulation.
