After HC rap, Telangana govt withdraws orders on ‘Game Changer’ ticket price hike

Government also decides not to permit early morning shows in future until public interest, health and safety are duly considered

Hyderabad: The Telangana government has withdrawn orders facilitating a hike in ticket prices and additional shows for Ram Charan-starrer ‘Game Changer’ movie. The government also decided not to permit early morning shows in future until public interest, health and safety are duly considered.

These orders were issued on Saturday following the High Court’s directions to the State government.

Following an appeal from the film producers, the State government on January 8 accorded permission for screening an additional show on January 10 (film release day) at 4 am. This apart, the government also permitted a hike in ticket prices by Rs 100 for multiplexes and Rs 50 for standalone theatres.

After the stampede at Sandhya Theatre during the premier show of ‘Pushpa-2‘, the issue of price hikes and benefit shows rocked the State, besides triggering arguments and debates.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had announced in the Assembly that the Congress government would not permit price hikes and benefit shows anymore in the State. The same was also announced by Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy as well.

However, taking a ‘U’ turn, the Congress government permitted a price hike in tickets and additional shows for the ‘Game Changer’ movie, which was produced by Dil Raju, who is also Chairman of Telangana Film Development Corporation.

Irked over the State government’s decision, writ petitions were filed in the High Court by Satish Kamaal and Gorla Bharat Raj. Accordingly, the High Court on Saturday directed the government to reconsider its decision. To this effect, the State government on Saturday issued orders withdrawing ticket hikes and additional shows.