The Telangana High Court today heard a petition filed on the issue of the pricing of tickets at the cinema theatres of the state. It asked the government to clarify the basis on which the movie ticket prices had been set after the bifurcation of the state.
The counsel for the government informed the court that a committee had been formed to determine the prices of tickets for both standalone theatres as well as multiplexes, and that it had suggested that the ticket prices be hiked. He added that the body had already submitted a report and a set of guidelines on the matter to the government.
At this, the HC asked that the government submit its decision on the committee's report within the next four weeks. Further, secretaries of Cinematography Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav were asked to file counters to the petition.
Even before today's hearing, the TRS government had held a meeting with representatives of the Telangana Film Chamber (TFC) recently. After the meeting, Yadav had said that the government had approved the body's appeal to
increase parking prices at the single-screen theatres in the state. The minister had also promised that the issues of the movie theatre workers, including their concerns about their wages, would soon be addressed.
These discussions on ticket prices have assumed great importance as the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has devastated the film industry and film theatres alike - the months-long closures of the theatres has resulted in severe losses for both owners and workers.
Consequently, the TFC had urged the government to approve the collection of parking fees at single-screen theatres saying that the fees would serve as a form of revenue that would help the establishments get back on their feet. Revision of ticket prices and a uniform pricing system will also help revive the theatres economically.
The theatres in the state will reportedly reopen on July 30.