"There will be no increase in cinema ticket rates in the future (in Telangana). Producers and directors needn't approach us. We have made up our mind not to increase ticket rates," Telangana Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy has been quoted as saying. This is being seen as a shocker to the Telugu film industry ahead of prestigious Sankranthi 2026 releases like Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu.
The Revanth Reddy government has been sending confusing signals lately. Only recently, the CM said that ticket rate hikes will be given to any film provided the producers or concerned stakeholders agree to contribute 20% of the incremental revenue to a fund meant for the welfare of cinema workers. When Akhanda 2 was given the permission to go for rate increases, this condition was put in place. On the day of the release of the movie, the Cinematography Minister described the permission as a "mistake". The Minister said that officials couldn't keep him postponed about Akhanda 2 because he was busy with the Telangana Rising Global Summit. If this decision holds, benefit shows and/or early paid premieres won't be held in Telangana.
