AP to launch online sale of film tickets soon

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government is ready to start its online sale of film tickets. It would be completing all the preparatory steps shortly subject to a final verdict from the High Court, which is expected shortly.

 The state government came up with the proposal way back in November, 2021, and has completed all requisite formalities by declaring that the AP Film Development Corporation would be a nodal agency to do this with technical support from AP Technical Services.

The government roped in a Bengaluru-based private agency to take up online sale of tickets through the APFDC’s web portal.

However, some stakeholders including those who were already into the business of online sale of tickets moved the High Court. The case is pending in the court. Though the hearing was scheduled to be held last week, it has been deferred.

The state government is ready to submit its version in the next hearing and soon after, the HC is expected to issue its final verdict.

The APFDC sources maintain that the state government is optimistic on the outcome of the verdict as it has been maintaining that the purpose of launching online sale of film tickets is aimed to benefit the cinegoers. It has already fixed the rates of admission into the film theaters  - from the highest rate of Rs 250 per head in multiplexes to the minimum of Rs 20 per head in non-AC theatres in non-premium class in nagara/gram panchayats.

These rates are without GST but inclusive of maintenance charges of Rs 5 per head for AC and Rs 3 per head for non-AC theatres inclusive of service charges for online booking.

The GST of 12 per cent is to be levied on the ticket rate if it is less than Rs 100; and a GST of 18 per cent is to be levied in case the ticket rate is above Rs 100.

Unlike the private web portals that are taking up online sale of film tickets by charging an extra of Rs 10 to Rs 20 per ticket, the state government will charge only 1.95 per cent extra as service charge.

The state government has been maintaining that the purpose for launch of online sale of film tickets is aimed at ensuring transparency in payment of GST. Also, the inventory as to the data on the number of seats available and the number of tickets sold will be accessible without any manipulations. Diversion of some tickets to black market for sale at a high price will also be ruled out.

Moreover, the state government allowed a 100 per cent sale of tickets online unlike the earlier practice of allowing only 50 per cent sale.

Cine-goers are eagerly awaiting the launch of the government’s online sale of film tickets as it helps them save money on each ticket.