TIRUPATI: Even as many big Tollywood actors, producers, technicians and exhibitors have remained silent over Andhra Pradesh government’s raids on cinema halls to ensure implementation of fixed rates for movie tickets, some young and small heroes have raised their voice against the government’s move.
Soon after actor Siddharth turned out to be the first voice against ticket pricing, another actor Nani too voiced his criticism. openly Now, young actor Nikhil Siddartha has urged AP government to help theatres out over pricing of tickets.
Ahead of his film “Shyam Singha Roy”, Nani maintained that the government’s decision is illogical. “When a Kirana shop owner outside a theatre makes more money than the theatre owner, it is an insult to cine goers,” he commented.
Nani’s comments have, however, sparked a controversy in the state’s political and film circles. Countering the actor’s remarks, minister Botcha Satyanarayana said they are trying to bring down ticket rates in the interests of public. Another minister P. Anil Kumar Yadav wondered why actors are not lowering their remunerations.
Amid the cinema ticket pricing controversy, people close to top actors say these stars are happy that Nani has voiced his opinion without any second thought. Top stars are essentially maintaining silence, as anything they say might invite trouble from YSR Congress government, they explained.
In a series of tweets, actor Siddharth criticised ministers saying, “We are taxpayers and we pay for all your luxuries. Politicians earn lakhs and crores of rupees through corruption. Reduce your luxuries and give us our discount.”
Nani tweeted, “Theatres are like a temple to me. They always give joy and happiness to people. It is heartbreaking to see theatres closing down. Glad and thankful to see the Telangana government supporting the film industry; hoping AP government too helps theatres reach their past glory in a similar way”, he tweeted.
These tweets have also invited adverse reactions from netizens. A user going by name Siddu Cherukuri tweeted, “In Telugu film industry, movie director and hero are the main characters. They take the maximum share. What do other people get.”
Another user Ravindra Kurapati posted a picture of movie tickets questioning actor Nikhil, “₹ 150 per ticket is price at Raj Yuvaraj theatre in Vijayawada town. Is this not sufficient for you?”
