Telugu Film Chamber Mulls 27-Member Panel to Resolve Exhibitors’ Dispute?

According to reliable sources, a special executive committee meeting of the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce was recently held in Vizag, where the apex body reportedly decided to form a 27-member panel aimed at resolving the ongoing issues faced by film exhibitors.

“In the two-day executive committee meeting, the Chamber proposed a jumbo committee comprising nine representatives each from the producers, distributors, and exhibitors' sectors,” a source revealed. “The Producers’ Council is expected to submit its list of nine members within the next two days. Following that, a series of meetings will be conducted in a cordial and constructive atmosphere. The panel will work within a set timeframe to draft a roadmap and arrive at a solution,” the source added.

However, the source also noted that there is division among top producers regarding sharing box office revenues. “They argue that profits are made only from about 10 big-ticket films annually. Sharing revenue from these would not be viable, as these films essentially sustain the producers’ operations,” he explained.

On the other hand, exhibitors are seeking a share specifically from these high-grossing films, which collectively earn over Rs 300 to 400 crore annually. This conflicting interest is expected to make the negotiation process challenging for both sides.

“While some producers acknowledge that a ‘percentage system’—where exhibitors earn a share of box office collections—is beneficial for the industry's long-term health, they are hesitant to formalize these ideas in writing. This reluctance has stalled progress,” the source said.

The panel's primary task will be to explore alternatives to the current rental-based model, which exhibitors have long sought to abolish in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

“We’ll have to wait and see how effectively this 27-member panel can mediate and find an amicable solution to this long-pending demand,” the source concluded.