A pivotal meeting between the Telangana government and representatives from the Telugu film industry is scheduled for Thursday to address the ongoing tension following the arrest of popular actor Allu Arjun. This meeting aims to ease the strained relations between the ruling government and the film industry.
Allu Arjun, 42, was recently arrested in connection with a tragic incident at a theater in Hyderabad, where a stampede occurred during the screening of his latest film Pushpa 2: The Rule. The stampede resulted in the death of a woman on December 4.
Details of the Meeting
Telangana State Film Development Corporation (FDC) Chairman and prominent producer Dil Raju announced on Wednesday that a delegation of film industry members would meet with Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao to promote “healthy relations” between the state government and the film community.
This meeting gains added significance following comments by Cinematography Minister Komatireddi Venkat Reddy, who suggested that the government may consider increasing ticket prices only for certain films, such as those focused on historical themes, the freedom struggle, or social messages like anti-drugs campaigns.
Impact of Government’s Stance on High-Budget Films
The state government’s remarks come after the tragic death of a 35-year-old woman at the Sandhya Theatre, which was screening Pushpa 2 on December 4. If the proposed changes are enacted, they could significantly affect high-budget films set to release during the upcoming Sankranti festival. These include Game Changer starring Ram Charan, Daaku Maharaj featuring Nandamuri Balakrishna, and Sankranthiki Vasthunnam with Venkatesh.
Game Changer, produced by Dil Raju, has a reported budget of nearly ₹400 crore and is directed by renowned filmmaker S. Shankar. The government’s stance on ticket price hikes may impact production houses, as they typically aim to maximize revenue from the early days of a film’s release.
The Government’s Approach to Ticket Pricing
While the Telangana State Film Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the government’s decision to limit benefit shows and implement ticket price hikes on a case-by-case basis, the move may not be well-received by producers and film distributors who usually depend on early ticket sales for financial success.
The meeting, which is being organized by the FDC, will feature Dil Raju acting as a mediator between the government and the film fraternity.
Political Fallout from Allu Arjun’s Arrest
The arrest of Allu Arjun sparked a political debate, with some Congress leaders criticizing the actor’s comments regarding the stampede. Allu Arjun had referred to the incident as an accident and denied claims made by CM K. Revanth Reddy regarding a roadshow prior to the screening.
Reddy had accused the actor of holding a roadshow and waving to crowds at the theater, which allegedly contributed to the chaos. In response, Allu Arjun denied this, clarifying that it was not a roadshow or procession.
The actor was arrested by city police on December 13 in connection with the woman’s death. However, the Telangana High Court granted him a four-week interim bail on the same day, and he was released on December 14.
