AP Film Chamber Lists Steps To Help Single-Screen Theatres
Solar power aid, tech upgrades planned to cut costs and revive exhibition sector
Vijayawada: The AP Film Chamber of Commerce on Friday announced a series of initiatives to support single-screen theatres, including assistance for installing solar power systems to reduce operating costs.
The initiatives were announced at a programme held at Hotel Pride Madhav in Vijayawada, where noted scientist Mikkili Prasanna Kumar was appointed vice-president of the chamber.
The chamber unveiled an action plan focusing on the revival of the state's film industry, protection of single-screen theatres and adoption of modern technology. Its president, Mantha Srinivas, and general secretary, Chaitanya Janga noted that the undivided state had more than 1,400 single-screen theatres.
“Andhra Pradesh now has 716 such theatres while Telangana has 302,” they said.
They said rising maintenance costs and changing market trends had threatened the viability of single-screen theatres, affecting the livelihoods of thousands of people dependent on the exhibition sector.
The chamber functionaries said they would work with the state government to secure the required support for theatre owners. They expressed confidence that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Minister Nara Lokesh and MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna were taking steps to attract more film production units to do shootings in AP.
The chamber, they said, would function under the guidance of AP Film Development Corporation chairman Bharat Bhushan to strengthen the state's film industry.
Exhibitor V Bhupal Prasad welcomed the initiatives. Prasanna Kumar said he would promote technological advancement in the industry, while Sakhi Shakti Welfare Foundation president Jaya Pateria announced support for meaningful Telugu films and measures to encourage greater participation of women in the film industry.
Actress Anaya Kashyap and chamber office-bearers attended the programme.
