Amid growing speculation surrounding an alleged bandh call by theatre exhibitors in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, a senior Hyderabad-based exhibitor, Sadanand Goud, has come forward to clarify the situation.
“Telangana exhibitors never called for a bandh. The rumours circulating about our involvement are completely false and baseless,” he asserted. “We have over 300 single-screen theatres in Telangana, and all we sought was some support during big-ticket releases, especially since we received no benefits in April. At no point did we demand a shift to a percentage-based revenue system. Our primary concern remains the declining footfalls in theatres.”
Goud explained that the current turmoil began in East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh. “It all started with Mr. Satyanarayana in East Godavari, who proposed shutting down theatres starting June 1 due to concerns over ticket pricing and related issues. Unfortunately, Telangana exhibitors were unnecessarily dragged into this discussion,” he clarified.
On the subject of recent chamber meetings, he acknowledged limited participation from Telangana exhibitors. “A few of us attended those meetings in name only. We never pushed for unreasonable demands, and a shutdown was never on our agenda. Despite dwindling attendance, we’ve always aimed to keep theatres running, relying on major film releases to sustain our annual revenues,” he noted.
Highlighting the diverse audience base in Telangana, Goud emphasized the region’s inclusive cinema culture. “Telangana has over 450 theatres, including multiplexes, catering to a cosmopolitan audience that appreciates films across all languages. While some films didn’t perform well due to poor content, the appetite for cinema here remains strong. We want to reassure everyone that theatres in Telangana will operate as usual and continue to support the film industry wholeheartedly,” he concluded.
