Andhra government revises movie ticket prices: Here are new rates

Each theatre whether AC, non-AC, or super special irrespective of their location should earmark 25% of the seat as a non-premium category to enable the cinematic experience for those who cannot afford the premium tickets.

As per the new Government Order, Air-cool theatres and AC theatres have been clubbed into a single category, for admission rates. They have been given two years to convert into fully AC or collect Non-AC charges afterward.

A category of special theatres has been created. They comprise stand-alone theatres which provide a cinematic experience far superior to the AC theaters. They have facilities at par with multiplex theatres. These include a Digital Surround System of 7.1 or more with 2K projection, other infrastructure, and high-end seat quality at par with multiplex.

A District Level Committee with the joint collector of the respective Districts will be the Nodal Officer. He will be responsible for the identification of these special categories and stand-alone single theatres. Necessary procedural guidelines will be issued separately further.

The theatres are permitted to run 5 shows. It is subject to the condition that one of the shows in between 11 AM and 9 PM should be reserved compulsorily for screening small budget films on any day including on a festival. The government also considered the recommendation of the Committee about super high-budget films. These include films made with visual effects involving uses of high-end technology. The government will notify separate ticket rates for 10 days from the date of the first release, for high-budget movies with a production cost of more than Rs.100 crores.

Further, separate guidelines will be issued for the online booking of tickets in single theatres and multiplexes for low, high, and super high budget films.

It may be recalled that actors Chiranjeevi, Mahesh Babu, Prabhas, Posani, and director SS Rajamouli had met AP CM Jagan to discuss movie ticket prices. Many high-budget movies including RRR and Radhe Syam had postponed their release. They were waiting for the new GO so that they could time the release accordingly.