Request for cinema ticket price hike must come through proper channels, says A.P. Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan

The Hindu

28-05-2025

Amid the theatre bandh controversy, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan has said that any request for a hike in the movie ticket prices must come through the proper channels.
Film producers and their representatives should approach the government only through the Telugu Film Industry Council, rather than acting individually, especially when seeking ticket price revisions for new film releases.
'This applies to upcoming releases like Hari Hara Veera Mallu (Mr. Pawan's upcoming film) as well,' said the actor-turned politician.
Tourism and Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh briefed the Deputy Chief Minister on the recent theatre shutdowns and the actions taken by the department in response.
Key directives
Mr. Pawan Kalyan issued several key directives. He emphasised the need for the proper and regulated management of cinema halls across the State to ensure better services to the audience.
Be it about ticket pricing or theatre operations, the government departments must perform their duties diligently with proper supervision. The departments concerned need to carry out regular inspections and ensure monitoring, he said.
Mr. Pawan Kalyan stressed that if families are to be encouraged to visit theatres, food and beverage prices must be reasonable.
Lower prices can help increase footfall and ultimately improve tax revenue. Excessive pricing of items such as popcorn, soft drinks, and even bottled water in cinema halls often surpasses the ticket price. Theatres must provide drinking water and maintain hygiene as a basic responsibility, and local bodies should ensure these standards are maintained, the Deputy CM said.
Pointing out that the government has received reports about monopoly in the sale of food and beverages in multiplexes and single-screen theatres, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said that the officials concerned need to closely monitor the pricing and quality standards of these food and beverages in theatres.
'The Cinematography Minister is to initiate an inquiry into this issue as well,' he said, adding that a review of this matter in coordination with the tax department.
Mr. Durgesh explained to Mr. Pawan Kalyan about the progress of the inquiry into the theatre bandh issue. He brought to Mr. Pawan Kalyan's notice that a producer alleged that a JSP leader was behind the bandh announcement.
In some circles in the film industry, it was being claimed that a film producer and a political leader, who owns theatres, were involved in the theatre bandh move. In response, Mr. Pawan Kalyan suggested to the Minister for Cinematography that this angle should also be investigated.