Chiranjeevi requests Andhra Pradesh CM to rethink low cap on movie ticket prices

Actor Chiranjeevi requested Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jahan Mohan Reddy to rethink the government’s decision towards a low cap on movie ticket prices. In a statement shared on social media on Thursday, he stressed upon the need for the survival of theatres.

The actor took his official twitter handle to share the statement written in Telugu, captioned as ‘Appeal to Hon’ble CM’. He said though it’s gratifying to see the introduction of online ticketing, the rates should have the same flexibility as the uniform GST prices. He supported his request by explaining about the need for the survival of theatres and many families who depend on cinema alone for living.

The statement came out after the CM passed a bill in the Legislative Assembly to amend the AP Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1956. The plan was to make it mandatory for the exhibitors to sell tickets only through online platforms , which is to be operated by the State FIlm Development Corporation. 

On the behalf of the CM, the bill was moved by Perni Nani, who is responsible for the Information and Public Relations portfolio. The plan was explained as a strategy to keep a check on the black market and to further stop the tax evasion.

As per the opinion of film trade analysts, this new move by the AP government is likely to impact the box office income of the much anticipated big releases including SS Rajamouli’s RRR, Mahesh Babu’s Sarkaru Vaari Paata, Pawan Kalyan’s Bheemla Nayak and Prabhas’ Radhe Shyam.

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The Producers Guild and Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce had also approached the government earlier to address the issue, and had conducted discussions regarding the ticket prices.