The Telangana government on Saturday announced the withdrawal of its earlier orders permitting a hike in ticket prices for the much-anticipated Ram Charan starrer Game Changer. The decision came in response to directions from the High Court, emphasizing public interest, health, and safety concerns. The government also stated that early morning shows would no longer be permitted “until public interest, health, and safety are duly considered.”
The revocation of the orders, which had allowed increased ticket prices and additional screenings, will come into effect starting January 16, according to an official statement issued late Saturday night.
Previous Orders on Ticket Prices
On January 3, the government had approved a request from the makers of Game Changer, allowing the screening of six shows on January 10 with an additional ticket price of ₹150 for multiplexes and ₹100 for single-screen theatres. The orders also permitted five daily shows from January 11 to 19, with increased prices of ₹100 for multiplexes and ₹50 for single-screen theatres.
The government had mandated that cinemas display advertisements highlighting the adverse effects of narcotics and cybercrime during these screenings.
High Court’s Intervention
Following the issuance of these orders, the Telangana High Court on January 10 passed interim directions requiring the government to review its decision on the enhanced ticket rates within 24 hours of receiving the order. The court also instructed the government not to permit early morning shows.
Political Criticism
The move to increase ticket prices had faced criticism from the Opposition, including Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA T Harish Rao. He slammed the Congress-led state government for allowing the hike despite earlier statements by State Cinematography Minister K Venkata Reddy against such practices. The criticism was further fueled by the tragic stampede at the premiere of Allu Arjun’s Pushpa-2 on December 4, 2024, which led to the death of a woman.
The government’s withdrawal of the orders aligns with the High Court’s emphasis on safeguarding public interest and avoiding incidents similar to the Pushpa-2 tragedy.
Future Implications
With the new directive, ticket pricing and show scheduling for major film releases in Telangana will likely face stricter scrutiny to prioritize safety and public welfare. This decision could set a precedent for handling high-profile movie releases in the state.
Sources By Agencies
