The issue of ticket price hikes is now moving into a new phase, as it has become mixed with politics. The latest Sankranti releases from the Telugu film industry, The Raja Saab and Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, both applied for permission to increase ticket prices. However, The Raja Saab received the government order (GO) late, while Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu got approval without much trouble.
This difference has triggered a major debate online among fans. It has now drawn the attention of senior politician Harish Rao from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party, who questioned Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and his government over their handling of ticket price hike permissions.
Tollywood Ticket Hikes Issue Turns Political
The controversy around ticket hikes started with Pushpa 2. For that film, both the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments approved high ticket prices and paid premiere shows. After that, many films followed the same trend. In Andhra Pradesh, ticket price hikes have not created much discussion. But in Telangana, the issue of ticket price hikes has been mixed with politics and legal problems.
Government officials have repeatedly stated that they will not approve ticket price hikes, but at the same time, such permissions continue to be granted. Even the Cinematography Minister surprised everyone by saying that he is not even looking at ticket permission files.
The opposition has been consistently questioning this contradiction in the Telangana government’s statements and actions. Recently, Harish Rao strongly criticized Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, accusing him of following double standards when it comes to ticket price hike approvals.
Harish Rao publicly questions Government
- For one film, you delay permissions till midnight, but for another film, you grant permission two days in advance with royal treatment.
- Is this personal vengeance against a hero just because he said, ‘The KCR government will return’?
- Will you send another hero to jail just because he forgot your name?
- Now, if someone is your favorite, will you give permission for ₹600 ticket rates?
