Akhanda 2 Gets Green Signal for Higher Ticket Rates

Before the release of Akhanda 2, the Telangana government passed a GO allowing higher ticket prices. But on December 11, the High Court stopped this order after a lunch motion petition was filed by Advocate Srinivas Reddy.

The GO had allowed a 50-rupee hike in single screens, a 100-rupee hike in multiplexes from December 12 to 14, and fixed the premiere ticket price at 600 rupees on December 11. Akhanda 2 released today, December 12, with the hiked ticket prices.

In a relief for the makers, on Friday, a Division Bench of the High Court put the earlier suspension on hold. This means theatres can continue selling tickets at the higher prices approved by the government. The court said the previous order was given without hearing the producer or BookMyShow, and stopping the price hike created problems for the film’s release.

The court also noted that the people who filed the case would face only a minimal loss, which can be refunded later if they win. Since the hike is only for a short period, the court allowed the increased rates to continue until December 15. The main case will now continue before the Single Judge, and all parties must attend the next hearing.

Meanwhile, Akhanda 2 released today amid high expectations as it marks the fourth collaboration between Nandamuri Balakrishna and Boyapati Sreenu. The film opened to mixed reviews, but in terms of opening-day box office performance, it is doing well over the noon shows, and the evening and night shows are reporting mostly housefuls. It remains to be seen how long it can sustain this momentum.