In a significant development for the Telugu film industry, the producers of two major upcoming Tollywood films have approached the Telangana High Court seeking urgent relief. They are challenging a recent court order that restricts them from increasing cinema ticket prices for their big-budget releases.
Legal Battle Over Box Office Revenue
The legal move comes after a single judge bench of the Telangana High Court passed an order on December 9. This order effectively prohibited any hike in ticket prices for cinema halls. The producers argue that this freeze could severely impact the potential revenue of their large-scale productions, which are slated for a festive season release.
Both films in question are major Sankranti 2024 releases. One is the much-anticipated 'Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu' starring megastar Chiranjeevi. The other is the Prabhas-starrer titled 'The Raja Saab'. Given the star power and the scale of these projects, the producers had likely factored in premium pricing for the opening days, a common industry practice for big-ticket films.
Court Hearing Scheduled for Wednesday
The appeals filed by the production houses will now be heard by a division bench of the High Court. The hearing is scheduled to take place on Wednesday. This indicates the urgency of the matter, as the Sankranti holiday season is fast approaching.
Beyond the request to modify the ticket price order, the producers have also made another appeal to the court. They have requested permission to conduct special shows for their films. Special shows, such as early morning or late-night screenings, are another strategy used to maximize collections during peak demand periods.
Implications for the Sankranti Box Office Clash
The outcome of this hearing could have major ramifications for the box office performance of both films. The Sankranti season is one of the most lucrative periods for the South Indian film industry, and a clash of two big stars always draws massive audience turnout.
If the court upholds the original order, the producers may have to forgo significant expected revenue from dynamic or increased pricing. However, if the division bench rules in their favor, it could set a precedent for how ticket pricing is regulated for major film releases in the state. The entire Tollywood industry will be keenly watching the verdict on Wednesday.
