Telangana Film Chamber Urges Government To Reconsider Ticket Hike

The Telangana State Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) has urged the state government to reconsider the recently announced ticket pricing structure, expressing concern over its potential impact on single-screen theatres across the state.

As per the new government order, single-screen theatres equipped with Dolby 7.1 sound and 2K projection facilities have been permitted to charge up to Rs. 300 per ticket. The revised rates have triggered debate among moviegoers and industry stakeholders, with concerns that higher ticket prices could further affect theatrical footfalls.

The TFCC has requested the government to review the decision and consult the apex film chambers and other key stakeholders before implementing changes that could have a wider impact on the exhibition sector.

The chamber has specifically raised concerns over the revised pricing under the “Special Theatre” category. It has urged the government to convene a stakeholder meeting at the earliest and consider the financial and infrastructure challenges faced by single-screen exhibitors.

A leading Telangana exhibitor, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the new classification does not adequately reflect the ground realities of theatres in the state.

“This will ruin single screens in Telangana,” the exhibitor said, pointing out that Hyderabad alone has around 150 air-cooled single-screen theatres, while only a few theatres have full air-conditioning facilities in Hyderabad.

The exhibitor said that categorising theatres based on premium and non-premium segments without considering their existing infrastructure could put additional pressure on a large section of single-screen operators.

“Telangana exhibitors are already struggling with high maintenance costs and low returns. This will only make things worse,” he said.

He also noted that air-cooled theatres would have to make significant investments if they want to upgrade their facilities and benefit from the higher ticket rates. According to him, converting an air-cooled single screen into an air-conditioned theatre could require around 150 tonnes of air-conditioning capacity and an investment of approximately Rs. 1 crore.

“Only after making such an investment can these theatres take advantage of the revised pricing,” he added.

Vijayender Reddy, former president of the Telangana State Film Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber is urging the government to withdraw G.O. 77 and reconsider the revised ticket rates.

“Our members are urging the government to reconsider its decision and withdraw the said G.O., since the apex bodies were not consulted. The Telangana Film Chamber of Commerce has requested the government to rethink the decision,” he said.

Reddy also stressed that converting air-cooled theatres into air-conditioned facilities would impose a significant financial burden on exhibitors.

“Conversion of air-cooled theatres into air-conditioned theatres would be costly and unaffordable for many exhibitors,” he said.

He further suggested that the government constitute a committee comprising representatives from the Telangana Film Chamber of Commerce, the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce, ministers and officials to discuss such decisions before they are implemented.

Reddy recalled that a similar nine-member committee functioned during the late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy regime, with three representatives each from the Telangana Film Chamber of Commerce and Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce, along with three government representatives, including ministers and officials.

“They used to sit together and discuss such matters before taking decisions. I wish the same system is followed now,” he concluded.