Telangana government permits ticket price hikes for Pawan Kalyan’s ‘Hari Hara Veeramallu’, contradicts own policy

State government had imposed ban after the Pushpa 2 stampede. This is the second such reversal, after a similar attempt for Ram Charan’s Game Changer in January

Hyderabad: In a clear contradiction of its own policy, the State government on Monday permitted ticket price hikes and additional shows for Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s upcoming film Hari Hara Veeramallu, scheduled for release on July 24.

Despite a prior decision to prohibit such relaxations following a fatal stampede, the government allowed one special screening at 9 pm on July 23 with a ticket price of Rs 600 (plus GST).

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Further, it approved five daily shows from July 24 to 27 with an additional charge of Rs 200 (excluding GST) for multiplexes and Rs 150 (excluding GST) for single-screen theatres.

The relaxations continue through July 28 to August 2, with permission for five shows daily and an additional charge of Rs 150 (excluding GST) in multiplexes and Rs 100 (excluding GST) in single-screen theatres, over and above regular rates.

The Home Department issued a memo to all District Collectors, Police Commissioners, and cinema managements outlining the permissions granted.

These concessions directly contradict the government’s decision announced in December last year after a woman, Revathi, died and her son Sri Tej was injured in a stampede during a benefit show of Pushpa 2 at Sandhya theatre.

At the time, Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy had told the Assembly: “The State government will not permit any benefit shows and special privileges like ticket hikes anymore.”

However, in January, the Congress government similarly allowed ticket hikes for Ram Charan’s Game Changer during Sankranti, only to revoke the orders after petitions were filed in the High Court.