Exhibitors Return to Telugu Film Chamber for Revenue-Sharing Solution

According to industry insiders, a section of exhibitors has begun reaching out to the Chamber, seeking a structured solution to the percentage-sharing controversy. “Some exhibitors are now sending messages requesting that the issue be resolved through the Chamber,” says a senior trade member.

The source recalls that during the release of Peddi, exhibitors had approached megastar Chiranjeevi to intervene. “They accepted Chiranjeevi garu’s assurance and agreed to wait. The Telugu Film Chamber also made a similar appeal and asked them to give the industry a month,” he says.

Veteran producer and exhibitor Chadalavada Srinivasa Rao had publicly stated after a Chamber meeting that exhibitors should refrain from putting pressure on Peddi and allow discussions to continue. Even Telugu Film Chamber president Dil Raju had indicated that exhibitors agreed to defer their demand and seek a revised revenue-sharing model for future releases rather than for Peddi.

However, within days, Telangana exhibitors convened a general body meeting and took a tougher stand, insisting that the new percentage-sharing system should be implemented from Peddi itself. “A leading distributor had publicly assured audiences that ticket prices would not be increased even if the Telangana government permitted it. Yet ticket rates were eventually hiked for Peddi, which weakened their credibility,” the trade source points out.

He further notes that the same exhibitors had initially agreed to exempt Peddi from the dispute after they met with Chiranjeevi. “Their unity and collective strength appeared to diminish after that,” he adds.

Another major point of contention remains the proposed grading system for theatres. Producers had suggested categorising theatres into A, B, and C grades and determining revenue shares accordingly. The proposal faced resistance from exhibitors operating in smaller towns and remote regions.

“Theatre owners in rural areas argued that their venues cannot match the infrastructure and facilities of multiplexes or premium theatres in places like Hyderabad’s Hitech City. They feared that the grading model would automatically reduce their share and put them at a disadvantage,” the source explains.

With differences persisting over both revenue sharing and theatre grading, exhibitors are now looking towards the Telugu Film Chamber to mediate and bring all stakeholders to the negotiating table.

“The Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce is a recognised and registered trade body in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Trade disputes are ideally resolved through established industry institutions rather than through individual personalities, however influential they may be. Hopefully, all parties have now realised the importance of that process,” he concludes.