Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Andhra Pradesh Seeks Unified Licences to Save Movie Theatres
Movie theatres in Andhra Pradesh are facing serious difficulties.
Many theatres have closed, leaving far fewer than before.
Bharat Bhushan asked the state government to make licence renewals easier.
He suggested one application system for several departments.
He also wants the renewed licences to last five years.
Bhushan said higher ticket prices alone will not solve the problem.
He called for lower electricity and maintenance costs.
He said theatre owners, filmmakers and the government should cooperate to protect cinemas.
APFDC chairman Bharat Bhushan urged a single-window licence renewal system for cinema theatres.
The proposed licences would cover departments including Fire and Cinematography and remain valid for five years.
Theatre numbers in Andhra Pradesh have fallen from more than 2,000 to about 1,200.
Bhushan said nearly 400 theatres had closed during the previous three to four months.
He called for affordable power, reasonable maintenance charges and market-sensitive ticket pricing.
- Who
- APFDC chairman Bharat Bhushan, theatre exhibitors, producers and the Andhra Pradesh government.
- What
- A proposal was made for a single-window, five-year theatre licence renewal system, along with measures to support cinema exhibitors.
- When
- The proposal was discussed at a recent Andhra Pradesh Cine Exhibitors Forum meeting; nearly 400 theatres reportedly closed in the last three to four months.
- Where
- Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
- Why
- The theatre industry is shrinking because of closures, operating costs and difficult licensing processes; Bhushan said ticket-price increases alone would not revive it.
- Proposal
- Create a single-window licence renewal system for cinema theatres.
- Licence validity
- The proposed renewals would be valid for five years.
- Departments covered
- The system would include departments such as Fire and Cinematography.
- Theatre decline
- The number of theatres has fallen from over 2,000 to around 1,200.
- Recent closures
- Nearly 400 theatres reportedly shut down in the last three to four months.
- Other requested measures
- Bhushan urged affordable power tariffs and reasonable maintenance charges.
- Ticket pricing
- He called for uniform, market-sensitive pricing and cautioned against excessive increases.