Tollywood producers cheer as AP govt revises ticket prices

Tollywood filmmakers heaved a sigh of relief as the Andhra Pradesh government announced a revised list of movie ticket prices. In a G.O issued on Monday, the government revised the prices by 100-300 per cent in different categories. As per the order, the government created a new category of theatres called ‘special theatres’. Single-screen theatres with amenities, ambience and sound on par with multiplex theatres will be considered as special theatres.The ticket price for premium category seats in a corporation would be `125 and `100 for a non-premium seat.
For multiplexes, ticket prices are capped at `150 in municipal corporations, `125 in municipalities and `100 in panchayats. For recliner seats in any area, the ticket prices would `250. Producer Y Ravi Shankar, who is bankrolling the Mahesh Babu-starrer Sarkaru Vaari Paata this summer, says, “It’s an encouraging sign that the AP government has revised the ticket prices and provided relief to producers. We have a very big summer ahead, and for the first time in two years, there is some optimism in the industry. There’s a long way to go for us to get back on our feet, but these are positive signs.”

As per the G.O, big budget films, which have a production cost of over `100 crore (excluding remuneration) will be allowed to have a special price facility, only if 20% shoot is carried out in Andhra Pradesh. Producers feel that while this could impact film shoots that are underway, it won’t be a major hindrance for filmmakers. “We will have to adapt to the situation and work accordingly. For current films, for which the shooting has already been completed, the G.O. won’t be of help but filmmakers plan to shoot a portion of the films in AP for future projects and claim the benefits.” explains Ravi.
Exhibitors, however, expressed disappointment with the new G.O., and called for maintenance charges to be excluded from the ticket price list. “Maintenance charges cannot be included in the ticket prices. We need a separate maintenance fee since electricity charges have gone through the roof during the pandemic. Moreover, we had asked for non-premium seats in AC theatres to be fixed at `50 but they capped it at `70. This will discourage those from lower economic strata from coming to the theatres,” says Veera Narayana Babu, secretary, Andhra Pradesh exhibitors’ association.

Reacting to the new G.O, Megastar Chiranjeevi tweeted out "The new G.O. will help both exhibitors and producers survive and prosper in such tough times. Granting permission for the 5th show will help the producers of small movies thrive in this industry"(Sic)