Cinema exhibitors in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have announced an indefinite shutdown of theatres starting June 1, 2025.
The main reason behind this strike is the high maintenance costs and an unfair revenue system. Currently, exhibitors pay a fixed daily rent to screen films, regardless of how well a movie performs at the box office.
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Exhibitors are demanding a revenue-sharing model instead, where they receive a percentage of the ticket sales. This would ensure their earnings reflect the actual success of each film and make the business more sustainable.
A joint meeting at the Telugu Film Chamber, attended by over 60 exhibitors and producers including Dil Raju and Suresh Babu, confirmed that theatres will remain closed until the revenue-sharing system is implemented.
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This shutdown comes at a challenging time, with several big releases scheduled in June, including Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life, Pawan Kalyan’s Hari Hara Veera Mallu, Dhanush’s Kubera, and Manchu Vishnu’s Kannappa.
If the strike continues, both producers and exhibitors will suffer losses as theatres remain closed during this crucial release window.
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Fans and industry insiders are hoping for a quick resolution so that theatres can reopen soon.
It’s unfortunate that issues often arise around the release of Pawan Kalyan’s films. Hari Hara Veera Mallu has been in production for years, with shooting only recently completed. The makers finally announced a release date of June 12, but this sudden theatre shutdown is a major setback.
The success of Pawan Kalyan’s film could potentially help revive the theatre business, but until then, the future of Telugu cinema on the big screen remains uncertain.
However, industry experts believe that with still some time left before June 1, there is hope that the issues will be resolved.
