Exhibitors in Telangana have made a major announcement regarding movie ticket costs during a meeting held on May 12, 2026. Here is a simple summary of their decision:
- No More Hikes: Owners of single-screen theaters have decided that they will not increase ticket prices anymore. Even if the government gives official permission (a “GO”) to raise rates for big-budget movies, these theaters will keep their prices the same.
- Helping the Public: The exhibitors explained that this decision is meant to protect poor and middle-class audiences. They want to make sure that watching movies remains an affordable form of entertainment for everyone.
- The Struggle of Single Screens: Many single-screen theaters are currently facing financial trouble due to high electricity bills, staff salaries, and maintenance costs. Some owners even mentioned that renting their buildings as warehouses (godowns) would earn them more money, but they continue running cinemas out of their love for film.
- A New Demand: Instead of raising ticket prices, the exhibitors are asking for a change in how they share money with movie producers. They want a “percentage sharing system” (where they share a part of the actual ticket sales) similar to what multiplexes use, instead of the current system where they have to pay a fixed high rent regardless of how many people watch the movie.
- Call for Support: The theater owners have asked stars, producers, and the government to support them in this change. They believe this new revenue model is the only way to save traditional single-screen theaters from closing down.
The theater owners hope that by keeping tickets cheap, more people will return to the cinema halls, helping both the audience and the industry.