The stampede that killed a lady at Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2 screening has forced the Telangana government to lock on no more special shows and ticket hikes.
Pushpa 2 is a massive box office hit and continues to perform strongly, crossing Rs 1500 crore. However, off-screen controversies surrounding the film have negatively impacted Allu Arjun. The star is facing significant backlash from the government and the public due to the Sandhya Theater stampede incident.
In response, the Telangana government has decided to ban benefit shows across the state, meaning no fan screenings will take place before the official release date of films. This policy aims to prevent further incidents.
Additionally, the Exhibitors' Union recently announced that ticket prices for upcoming big films will not be increased. Vijender Reddy, Chairman of the Exhibitors' Union, explained that fluctuating ticket prices have confused audiences and contributed to low theater occupancy in Hyderabad.
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"Varying ticket prices for different movies inconvenience viewers. During the first few days after release, many middle-class individuals, students, and fans with modest incomes attend theaters. Charging higher prices during this period burdens and discourages them," Reddy stated.
In a notable move, Dil Raju was recently appointed as the President of the Telangana Film Council. Despite producing large-scale films that could benefit from higher ticket rates, he played a key role in supporting the decision to freeze price hikes. This decision received praise from T. S. Ram Prasad, Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Exhibitors' Sector.
Ram Prasad noted that some producers exaggerate their production costs to justify ticket hikes, which ultimately reduces audience turnout and negatively affects box office collections.
The government's intervention, driven by the tragic loss of life at the Sandhya Theater stampede and the critical condition of a young boy, reflects their commitment to audience safety. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy strongly criticized Allu Arjun for not complying with police orders to leave the theater during the chaos, accusing him of showing defiance.
Despite the controversy, Pushpa 2 continues to captivate audiences and has significantly elevated Allu Arjun’s stardom and popularity. We need to see how the industry producers and big stars respond to this decision of no-ticket hikes in the near future.
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