HC Questions Screening of Six Films in a Day

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court wondered about allowing the screening of new films in the wee hours under the pretext of benefit shows. The court wanted to know if the administration had considered the practical ground-level challenges before allowing theaters to screen six shows in a day.

The court observed that the administartion should consider arranging security like police to prevent unfortunate incidents from happening, especially when allowing early morning and late night shows. The burden will be on the police machinery to supervise all these aspects, the court observed.

Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy made the observations while dealing with a petition challenging the government’s orders allowing six shows a day and the ticket price hike for the ‘Game Changer’, is set for release on Friday.

Gorla Bharat Raj from Kanchanbagh challenged the government's order. His counsels Mahesh Mamidla and Vijay Gopal brought to the notice of the court that the order violated Rule 12(2) of the Telangana Cinemas (Regulation) Rules, 1970, and the licencing conditions under Form-B, which explicitly prescribed that cinema exhibitions can only occur between 8.30 am and 1.30 am.

Any extension of these timings requires formal legislative or regulatory amendments and cannot be executive orders.

Counsel submitted that permitting shows during odd hours created significant law and order challenges and lack of public transport, late-night shows impose undue hardships on citizens, especially women and vulnerable groups.

The judge asked the petitioner to file PIL, instead of a writ petition. However, on the request of counsels, the court heard the matter and questioned the home department regarding the provisions related to the gap between the shows. The court adjourned the matter to Friday.

The court was not inclined to comment on the issue of hike in prices of tickets. The court observed that it was the discretion of the viewers.