Andhra Pradesh Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh announced that the state government is planning to introduce a single, comprehensive Government Order (GO) applicable to all films, with the objective of ending the long-standing confusion over cinema ticket prices in the state.
He addressed the media after a review meeting of the committee formed to rationalize ticket pricing, held at the Secretariat on Wednesday.
The minister said the government aims to strike a balance between ensuring the survival of the film industry and not placing an additional burden on the common audience. He noted that the opinions of producers, distributors, and exhibitors would be taken into consideration before arriving at a decision that benefits the industry as a whole. Discussions are also underway regarding big-budget films, artists’ remuneration, and a possible system of uniformly increasing ticket prices across all categories.
Durgesh revealed that the committee deliberated on ticket price rationalization for both multiplexes and single-screen theatres, as well as the procedures for permitting price hikes for high-budget films. He added that once detailed discussions are completed, the committee will submit its recommendations to the government.
Currently, ticket price revisions are being carried out through the Home Department based on an older GO, while the committee is now evaluating appropriate pricing for low- and high-budget films.
He further stated that rules regarding the mandatory percentage of film shooting to be carried out in Andhra Pradesh are also under discussion. Earlier in the day, committee members—including producer Kuchibhotla Vivek, director Jasti Dharmateja, distributor Nakkalapudi Saibabu, exhibitor Sompalli Shiva Prasad, and others—met the minister, shared their views, and later felicitated him.
