Telangana allows single-screen theatres to charge up to Rs 300

The Telangana government has revised cinema ticket prices, allowing single-screen theatres with premium facilities to charge up to Rs 300 for premium seats, matching multiplex rates. The new Special Theatre category applies to standalone screens with Dolby 7.1 or higher sound, 2K/4K projection, and screens 75 feet or larger. Over half of Telangana's single screens and nearly two-thirds of Hyderabad's qualify, raising concerns that affordable cinema options will vanish.

Under the order, every theatre must keep 25 percent of seats in a non-premium category. Non-AC single-screen tickets remain at Rs 30-70. The revision follows representations from the Active Telugu Film Producers Guild. The government also ordered that 20 percent of additional revenue from the hike go to the Telangana Film Development Corporation for industry employee welfare, to be collected by producers from exhibitors. Films with budgets above Rs 100 crore can seek further price hikes.

The new rates have sparked debate among moviegoers who fear single-screen prices will now rival multiplexes. Some industry observers question whether qualifying theatres deliver a true multiplex experience. The government has given air-cooled theatres two years to convert to AC.