AP Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan says that the cinema ticket price should come through appropriate channels for increase

Deputy CM K. Pawan Kalyan says that the prices of food and drinks should be appropriate to encourage families to travel theaters photo credit: file photo

Amidst the theater bandh dispute, K. Vice President of Andhra Pradesh. Pawan Kalyan has said that any request for increase in film ticket prices should be through appropriate channels.

Filmmakers and their representatives should contact the government only through the Telugu Film Industry Council instead of acting personally, especially when demanding ticket price for the new film release.

The actor said, “This also applies to the upcoming release like Hari Hara Veera Mallu (Shri Pawan’s upcoming film).”

Tourism and Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh informed the Deputy Chief Minister recently in response to the theater shutdown and the work done by the department.

Major instructions

Mr. Pawan Kalyan issued several major instructions. He emphasized the need for proper and regulated management of cinema hall across the state to ensure better services for the audience.

This is about ticket pricing or theater operations, government departments should perform their duties completely with proper supervision. The concerned departments need to conduct regular inspections and ensure monitoring, they said.

Shri Pawan Kalyan insisted that if families are encouraged to visit theaters, then the prices of food and drinks should be appropriate.

Low prices can help increase the footfall and eventually improve tax revenue. In the cinema hall, excessive pricing of popcorn, soft drinks and even bottled water is often higher than the ticket price. Theaters should provide drinking water and maintain cleanliness as a basic responsibility, and local bodies should ensure that these standards are maintained, the deputy CM said.

Stating that the government has received reports about monopoly in the sale of food and beverages in multiplexes and single-screen theaters, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said that the concerned authorities need to closely monitor the pricing and quality standards of these food and beverages in theaters.

He said, “The Minister of Cinematography also has to initiate an inquiry on the issue,” he said that the matter reviewed the matter in coordination with the tax department.

Mr. Durgesh explained to Shri Pawan Kalyan about the progress of investigating the theater closed issue. He brought in the notice of Mr. Pawan Kalyan that a manufacturer alleged that a JSP leader was behind the announcement of the bandh.

In some circles of the film industry, it was claimed that a filmmaker and a political leader who owns theaters, was involved in the theater closed tricks. In response, Mr. Pawan Kalyan suggested to the Minister of Cinematography that this angle should also be investigated.