Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Telangana Exhibitors Seek Review of Cinema Ticket Pricing Order
The Telangana Exhibitors Association has asked the chief minister to change a new cinema pricing order.
The order allows higher ticket prices but also includes rules for theatres.
More than 390 air-cooled theatres may have to install full air-conditioning within two years.
Theatre owners say this could cost Rs 60-80 lakh for each screen.
They also expect their electricity bills to rise.
The association says the ticket-price ranges overlap and may confuse theatre operators.
It wants higher maintenance charges and clearer rules for premium cinemas.
It has asked the government to discuss future decisions with theatre owners and other film groups.
The Telangana Exhibitors Association urged Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to revoke, suspend or amend G.O. 77 on enhanced cinema ticket prices.
The association represents more than 400 theatres across Telangana and said exhibitors were not consulted before the order was issued.
It estimates converting more than 390 air-cooled theatres to full air-conditioning could cost Rs 60-80 lakh per screen.
Exhibitors said overlapping non-premium and premium AC ticket slabs could create implementation confusion.
The association also requested higher maintenance charges, recognition for IMAX and Dolby Cinema, and a stakeholder committee.
- Who
- The Telangana Exhibitors Association and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
- What
- The association submitted a representation seeking the revocation, suspension or amendment of G.O. 77 on enhanced cinema ticket prices.
- When
- The representation concerns G.O. 77, dated August 14, 2026.
- Where
- Telangana.
- Why
- The association says the order contains ambiguous provisions and could impose significant financial pressure on theatre owners, especially single-screen exhibitors.
Exhibitors' Concerns
Government Order
Air-conditioning requirement
Exhibitors' Concerns
The association says requiring more than 390 air-cooled theatres to install full air-conditioning within two years could cost Rs 60-80 lakh per screen, raise electricity bills and threaten theatre viability.
Government Order
G.O. 77 requires the affected air-cooled theatres to install full air-conditioning within two years; the articles do not state the government's justification for this requirement.
Ticket-price slabs
Exhibitors' Concerns
Exhibitors say the overlapping ranges for non-premium AC tickets of Rs 50-150 and premium tickets of Rs 100-200 could create confusion.
Government Order
The order establishes the stated ticket-price slabs, although the articles do not provide the government's response to the association's concerns.
Industry consultation
Exhibitors' Concerns
The association says exhibitors and key industry bodies were not consulted and is requesting a committee for future decisions.
Government Order
The government issued G.O. 77 and has not been reported as responding to the request for broader consultation.
- Order under review
- G.O. 77, dated August 14, 2026
- Association reach
- More than 400 theatres across Telangana
- Affected theatres
- More than 390 air-cooled theatres
- Estimated conversion cost
- Rs 60-80 lakh per screen for full air-conditioning
- Non-premium AC ticket range
- Rs 50 to Rs 150
- Premium ticket range
- Rs 100 to Rs 200
- Proposed committee
- Representatives of the Telangana Film Development Corporation, exhibitors' associations and film chambers