Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Andhra Pradesh Government Considers Measures To Save Struggling Theatres
Theatres in Andhra Pradesh are facing serious financial and administrative problems.
Many cinema halls have closed in recent months.
Bharat Bhushan, who leads the Andhra Pradesh Film and TV Development Corporation, said the government is discussing ways to help them.
Theatre owners want one system for renewing licences instead of dealing with many departments separately.
They also want the licence to last for five years.
Bharat Bhushan said cheaper electricity and maintenance costs could help theatres survive.
He also said raising ticket prices by itself will not solve everything.
Producers, theatre owners and the government are being asked to work together.
APFDC Chairman Bharat Bhushan said talks are underway to address theatre owners’ problems in Andhra Pradesh.
Exhibitors have requested a single-window licence renewal system with five-year validity covering departments such as Fire and Cinematography.
Bharat Bhushan said Andhra Pradesh’s theatre count has fallen from more than 2,000 to around 1,200.
He said nearly 400 theatres reportedly shut down during the last three to four months.
He called for affordable power tariffs, reasonable maintenance charges and uniform ticket pricing alongside discussions on ticket hikes.
- Who
- APFDC Chairman Bharat Bhushan, theatre owners and exhibitors, and Andhra Pradesh government representatives.
- What
- Discussions are underway on measures to address theatre closures and other problems facing the exhibition sector.
- When
- The report does not specify when the discussions began; nearly 400 theatres reportedly closed in the last three to four months.
- Where
- Andhra Pradesh, with an exhibitors’ meeting held in Vijayawada.
- Why
- To find easier licensing procedures and improve theatres’ financial conditions so they can survive.
Broader Industry Support
Ticket-Price Measures
How to help theatres survive
Broader Industry Support
Bharat Bhushan said ticket-price increases alone are insufficient and called for licensing reform, affordable power, reasonable maintenance charges and uniform pricing.
Ticket-Price Measures
Discussions on ticket-price hikes are continuing, and higher prices are presented as one possible measure, although exhibitors were urged to consider market conditions and avoid excessive pricing.
Responsibility for recovery
Broader Industry Support
Theatres need coordinated support from the government, producers and exhibitors, according to Bharat Bhushan.
Ticket-Price Measures
Exhibitors should also take market conditions into account and avoid relying on excessive ticket pricing, according to Bharat Bhushan.
- Organization
- Andhra Pradesh Film and TV Development Corporation (APFDC)
- Speaker
- APFDC Chairman Bharat Bhushan
- Requested reform
- A single-window licence renewal system with five-year validity
- Theatre count
- The number reportedly fell from more than 2,000 to around 1,200
- Recent closures
- Nearly 400 theatres reportedly shut down in the last three to four months
- Other requested support
- Affordable power tariffs, reasonable maintenance charges and uniform ticket pricing
- Meeting location
- Vijayawada