An interim order issued by the Telangana high court on Friday, asking the Revanth Reddy government to review its decision to allow increased ticket prices for the screening of the Ram Charan-starrer 'Game-Changer' has cast a shadow on the other films up for release during the Sankranti festival.
Though the high court gave the order with regard to the petition filed against the film “Game Changer,” it is bound to be implemented for all the other films – including Nandamuri Balakrishna-starrer “Daku Maharaj” and Venkatesh-starrer “Sankranthiki Vastunnam.”
Justice B Vijaysen Reddy passed the order in a writ petition challenging the memo issued by the state government permitting an increased fare for movie tickets – Rs 150 per ticket in multiplexes and Rs 100 per ticket in single-screen theatres for the special show on January 10.
And from January 11 to January 19, the state government granted permission to increase ticket prices by Rs 100 in multiplexes and Rs 50 in single-screen theatres.
Justice Reddy said the state government did not spell out under which provision of law decision was taken to enhance the rate.
“Hence, there will be an interim direction to the government to review its decision and restoring the original rates.
The judge also found fault with the state government for permitting the screening of the films at 4 am and said “people should sleep at 4 am, not go to the movies.”
He said the government must ensure that in the future, special shows shall not be permitted in the public interest, health and safety.
Justice Reddy wondered why the state government had permitted 4 am show for “Game Changer,” despite making an announcement, following the Pushpa-2 incident, that no benefit show screening would be permitted.
Going by the directions of the state high court, there will be no increased ticket fares and additional shows for either “Daku Maharaj” or “Sankranthiki Vasthunnam.”
For “Game Changer,” too, the special show was already screened and hence, nothing can be done now. But for the increased ticket fares would have to be withdrawn, affecting the revenues at the box office.
