TFI Biggies Met Min.Talasani; Discuss Industry Issues

The pandemic lockdown has hit the film industry severely not once but twice. Despite the Telugu states permitting the theatres to operate, big films are not releasing in view of Covid-19 Third Wave and also certain issues pending with the government.

On Tuesday the Tollywood biggies with cine exhibitors met minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav and discussed all the issues. In this meeting the exhibitors requested the government to allow a fifth show in single screen theatres and also waive off the electricity bills, taxes during the lockdown period.

Post the meeting, producer C Kalyan spoke to the media and added the Telangana government has responded positively. “Yes the state government has principally accepted our requests. Electricity bill of theatres will be waived off and very soon a G.O. regarding the same will be out,” said Kalyan.

Minister Talasani too addressed the media and he listed out what all recommendations that industry people have put forward. “Having a fifth show would benefit the small films and a single window clearance is what the industry people asked. By next meeting we would get clarity on these things,” said Talasani.

Also the minister stated that the government is planning to launch its own online ticket booking portal and the flexible pricing of tickets which would be of a great help to big budget films.

If these concerns are addressed at the earliest, the exhibitors will be partially relieved from the losses they have incurred during the two lockdown periods. But the exhibitors also need to consult the AP government as the majority of the market and revenue comes from there.