The debate over cinema ticket prices in the Telugu states has been ongoing for several years. Recently, MP S. Niranjan Reddy raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha, warning that single-screen theatres may collapse in the near future.
On the floor of Parliament, Niranjan Reddy described the situation of Single-Screens as an “unprecedented crisis” and stressed that the decline of single-screens must be addressed at the national level.
- 1990: Around 25,000 single-screen theatres in India
- 2025: Only about 6,000 remain
In Telangana alone, nearly 450 single-screen theatres have shut down, reflecting the seriousness of the problem.
The Reasons for the Shutdown of Single Screens
- Drop in Audience Footfalls – Fewer people are visiting theatres, making operations unsustainable.
- Multiplex Expansion – Premium facilities in multiplexes attract audiences away from single screens.
- High Ticket Prices – Rising costs discourage middle- and lower-income viewers, the main audience for single screens.
- Production & Distribution Costs – Smaller theatres struggle to afford film rights.
- Shift to OTT Platforms – Post-pandemic habits have changed, with many preferring streaming over theatres.
- 18% GST on Tickets – Heavy taxation burdens both theatre owners and audiences.
- Expensive Food & Beverages – Overpriced snacks and drinks in cinema complexes further discourage visits.
Social media debates and public discussions alone cannot solve this issue. Real change can only happen if film industry leaders and exhibitors come together to find solutions. Instead of constantly hiking ticket prices and movie costs, they need to create affordable pricing models that allow audiences from all backgrounds to enjoy cinema.
