Telugu film industry tension continues to escalate as the debate between exhibitors and producers over the rental and percentage-sharing system takes a sharper turn. Just a day after Telangana exhibitors and distributors demanded a percentage-based revenue model, members of the Telugu Active Producers Guild, including Naga Vamsi and Mythri Ravi, responded strongly to the concerns raised by theatre owners.
Mythri Ravi directly questioned Shirish Reddy, asking why exhibitors remained silent during the festive Sankranthi season when multiple big releases were benefiting theatres, and why the issue was being raised only now.
Multiplex Screens Are Ruining Single Screens, Says Producer Naga Vamsi
Producer Naga Vamsi took a dig at Suniel Narang, stating that Suniel himself owns several multiplexes and is not genuinely concerned about the survival of single-screen theatres. According to him, multiplex culture is slowly affecting the business of traditional single screens.
The Active Producers Guild also raised serious concerns about transparency in single-screen theatres. Producers alleged that there is still no proper ticket tracking system in many theatres. They argued that even when shows run houseful, some theatres reportedly declare that only a limited number of tickets were sold.
The producers questioned how filmmakers investing crores into films can survive under such a system without proper accountability. They stated that they would consider the percentage-sharing model only if a reliable ticket tracking system is implemented across single-screen theatres.
Mythri Ravi Calls for Better Facilities in Single Screens
Mythri Ravi further emphasized that single-screen theatres must improve audience experience, especially for women attending late-night shows. He said safety, comfort, and better facilities are essential if theatres want audiences to return consistently.
He also pointed out that in cities like Visakhapatnam, several single-screen theatres are generating better revenues than multiplexes. Yet many iconic theatres have not been upgraded over the years. He specifically mentioned theatres like Mallikarjuna, Bhramaramba, Gokul, and Sree Ramulu, questioning why modernization efforts have not been taken seriously.
The ongoing Telugu film industry tension intensified recently when Telangana exhibitors and distributors, led by Shirish Reddy and Suniel Narang, announced a complete freeze on movie ticket price hikes. They also demanded an immediate transition from the existing rental model to a percentage-sharing system, deepening the clash between producers and exhibitors.
