Sandhya stampede prompt single-screen theatres to go into safety mode
Hyderabad: In the wake of the stampede at Sandhya 70 MM theatre in Chikkadpally a few weeks ago, the single-screen theatre owners across the State went into safety mode to ensure safety for the audience as three big budget movies starring Ram Charan, Venkatesh and Nandamuri Balakrishna slated to be released on the occasion of Sankranti in January 2025.
Ram Charan’s “Game Changer”, Venkatesh’s “Sankranthiki Vasthunam” and Balakrishna’s “Daaku Maharaj” will hit the screens in January 2025 drawing more crowds. As it’s going to be consecutive holidays from January 11 on account of the festival, a large number of people are expected to throng theatres to watch the movies with their families and friends.
Given the hefty ticket prices in multiplexes, most film viewers would prefer to watch their favorite actor’s movie on a single screen. Accordingly, the managements of single-screen theatres are making arrangements for the safety of the audience.
Telangana Film Exhibitors Association president M Vijayender Reddy interacting with Deccan Chronicle on Thursday said that top priority would be accorded to the safety of audience in the wake of Sandhya theatre stampede incident.
Reddy, who is also a special invitee of Telangana State Film Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are putting in place necessary arrangements for the convenience of the audience. The major relief for us is that all the tickets are available for online sale. This would eventually prevent chaotic situations at the booking counters during rush hours. We are selling only tickets that are unsold online.”
Nevertheless, the theatre managements are fully-geared up to meet any eventuality keeping in view the release of the big budget movies for Sankranti, he explained. He said more than four hundred single-screen theatres across the State including 160 in twin cities have been operating for the last two decades and most theatres have sufficient parking places for two and four-wheelers.