The stalemate over the cinema ticket prices in theatres in Andhra Pradesh continues, even as the Telugu film industry people have been making last ditch efforts to prevail upon the state government to increase the ticket prices.
On Wednesday, film exhibitors from three districts held a meeting with state information and public relations minister Perni Venkatramaiah alias Nani to discuss the issue and also other problems confronting the film industry.
According to sources, the minister virtually threw up his hands on the increase of cinema ticket prices in theatres.
“Nothing is in my hands. The ball is in the court of chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy. I shall discuss the issue with him again and he will take a call,” Nani told the theatre owners.
On the other hand, Nani told them that the government was firm on taking over the online ticketing system.
The film exhibitors said they had absolutely no objection to the online ticketing system and even if there were any minor issues, they would rectify them.
However, they told the minister that unless the ticket prices were enhanced, the online system did not serve any purpose.
Nani also suggested that there should be grading system for theatres even in small towns and villages, depending on the facilities provided by them. The distributors agreed to the suggestion.
But the meeting ended without taking any decision on the demand for increasing cinema ticket prices. The issue is expected to come up for discussion in the next cabinet meeting to be held on November 17.
