Telangana High Court Orders Dent Tollywood Benefit Shows

The Telangana High Court has issued a significant ruling that is set to impact the Telugu film industry. Following the controversy surrounding benefit shows for the movie Pushpa 2, the court has announced that no benefit shows will be allowed in the state, including the city, under the Cinematography Act.¹ This decision comes after the High Court heard arguments regarding increased ticket prices for the movie Game Changer and permission for special shows.

The ruling is a major setback for Tollywood producers who have traditionally relied on benefit shows to generate additional revenue for big-budget films. However, the controversy surrounding Pushpa 2's benefit shows at Sandhya Theater led to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy announcing that he would no longer permit benefit shows for any film. A PIL was later filed in the High Court, prompting the government to cancel increased ticket rates for Game Changer.

The High Court's decision to cancel benefit shows is a significant development in the ongoing debate about ticket pricing and special shows in Telangana. While the court objected to granting permission for special shows, the government has also canceled special shows in response. The ruling is expected to have far-reaching implications for the Telugu film industry, which has long relied on benefit shows as a key revenue stream.

The Telangana High Court's orders on benefit shows are a clear indication of the government's commitment to regulating ticket prices and promoting fair trade practices in the film industry. As the industry adapts to this new reality, it remains to be seen how producers and filmmakers will respond to the ruling.