The Telangana government has issued a fresh set of orders fixing cinema ticket prices across single-screen theatres and multiplexes in the state. The new GO, issued on August 14, reclassifies theatres into different categories and sets minimum and maximum admission rates, bringing a more structured ticket pricing system into effect.

Under the new rates, Non-AC theatres can charge Rs.30 to Rs.70 for non-premium tickets and Rs.50 to Rs.100 for premium tickets. AC/Air Cooled theatres can charge Rs.50 to Rs.150 for non-premium and Rs.100 to Rs.200 for premium tickets. Special theatres have been permitted to charge Rs.100 to Rs.250 for non-premium and Rs.200 to Rs.300 for premium/recliner seats, while multiplexes can charge Rs.100 to Rs.250 for regular seats and Rs.200 to Rs.300 for recliners.

The government has also made it mandatory for every theatre, irrespective of its category or location, to keep 25% of its seats under the non-premium category. The new order also merges air-cooled theatres with the AC category, while such theatres have been given two years to convert to AC or collect non-AC charges. The special theatre category covers standalone screens equipped with facilities such as 7.1 or higher digital surround sound, 2K/4K projection and IMAX or large screens of 75 feet and above.

The revised pricing structure comes after representations from the Active Telugu Film Producers Guild and individual producers seeking higher ticket rates for high-budget films and a streamlined approval process. The government has issued the latest order superseding the relevant 2021 provisions, giving theatres and the industry a clearly defined pricing structure across categories.

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