Vijayawada: Makers of the film “Adipurush”, starring Prabhas, have requested the Andhra Pradesh government that it permit them to enhance ticket price at cinema halls by ₹50 for a few days from June 16, when the high-budget movie is scheduled to be released.
YSR Congress government, led by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, has allowed several big-budget filmmakers to increase the rate of admission for all classes of tickets for a week or 10 days from the date of release, so that returns on the movie are more and the Telugu film industry does not suffer losses.
Accordingly, the government has allowed a hike of ₹75 to ₹45 on ticket rates of mega-budget films like RRR, Acharya, Sarkaru Vaari Paata, Veera Simha Reddy and Waltair Veerayya.
Banking on this precedent, makers of Adipurush are learnt to have approached the state government seeking permission to enhance the rate of admission for the film, which has been shot in both Telugu and Hindi languages.
It is to be seen how the government responds to the request.
Critics say no doubt Jagan Mohan Reddy is being generous to Telugu film industry. He is offering financial incentives to moviemakers who produce the films in AP. Producers can even shoot their cinemas for free in certain areas. Critics feel except for some cinema makers, others are taking advantage of the state’s lenient attitude.
They want the state government to insist on getting from filmmakers details like total budget of the film, quantum of taxes paid in AP and percentage of the movie shot or produced in the state. Such a system would be transparent and let the government know whether the moviemakers are giving priority to AP in production of their films.
Critics also want the state government to keep in mind the interests of cinegoers. Hike in ticket for all classes for a few days means additional financial burden on those who would like to see cinemas with family and friends.
Producers, who fear poor box office collections, cannot be pandered to by letting them collect higher ticket fees.
A functionary from Telugu film chamber of commerce said, “No doubt the state government is trying to help Telugu film industry to flourish by providing a series of incentives, including permission to hike ticket cost. But the government should also insist on filmmakers to produce a major part of the move in AP, so that it provides employment to local artists and generates revenue for the state.”
