Notably, this comes just a month after Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan urged producers—including his own—to seek ticket price hikes only through the Telugu Film Chamber, stressing fair and transparent regulation
Published Jul 19, 2025 | 10:22 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 19, 2025 | 10:22 PM
Viewers might have to pay more than double to catch Pawan Kalyan's latest film
Synopsis: Just weeks after calling for strict regulation of cinema ticket prices, Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan is under fire for a glaring contradiction. Despite advocating that all hike requests go through the Telugu Film Chamber, the government has granted steep price exemptions for his own upcoming film Hari Hara Veera Mallu—with rates reportedly jumping over 133 percent. The move has triggered criticism and raised questions about conflict of interest and double standards
Just weeks after advocating for ticket price regulations, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan finds himself at the centre of a glaring contradiction. Despite urging producers, including his own, to route price hike requests through the Telugu Film Chamber, the government has granted special permissions for a massive increase in ticket rates for his own upcoming film, Hari Hara Veera Mallu.
With some ticket prices soaring by over 133 percent, the move has sparked criticism and raised eyebrows over the apparent conflict between Kalyan’s regulatory rhetoric and the lucrative exemptions now benefiting his box-office venture.
The Andhra Pradesh government announced special permissions for Pawank Kalyan’s upcoming film in a memo. Announcing that theatres could increase the ticket prices of premiere shows by ₹600. Additionally, it announced a price hike of ₹100, ₹150, and ₹200 for tickets on top of the fixed prices in Lower Class, Upper Class, and Multiplexes. This price hike will be valid for 10 days from 24 July to 2 August.
Notably, this move comes about one month after Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan reportedly called for ticket price regulations. Kalyan said producers must seek ticket price hikes through the Telugu Film Chamber (TFC), not individually. He included his upcoming film Hari Hara Veera Mallu. He called upon the government departments must perform their duties diligently, ensuring fair practices in pricing and operations.
GO Ms No 13, issued on 7 March 2022, detailed the various maximum prices for admission into movie theatres statewide. Fixing prices at the Municipal Corporation, Municipality, and Nagar/Gram Panchayat levels, it sets prices for various establishments based on the amenities. In Municipal Corporations, for premium and non-premium tickets, Non-AC Theatres can charge ₹40 and ₹60, AC Theatres can charge ₹70 and ₹100, and Special Theatres can charge ₹100 and ₹125, respectively.
The prices in Municipalities are between ₹10 to ₹25 less than Municipal Corporations, while Nagar/Gram Panchayats charge ₹20 to ₹50 less. Multiplexes can charge ₹150 in Municipal Corporations, ₹125 in Municipalities, and ₹100 in Nagar/Gram Panchayats for regular seats, charging ₹250 for recliners statewide.
With the allowed price increases, Multiplexes can now charge ₹350, ₹325, or ₹300 for regular seats, depending on the area, an increase of about 133 per cent to 200 per cent. A recliner would cost the moviegoer ₹450 as opposed to the fixed ₹250, and an 80 per cent increase.
A similar trend of a 150 per cent price hike can be seen across the board for moviegoers in Municipalities and Nagar/Gram Panchayats. However, Hari Hara Veera Mallu is not an isolated case, as such exceptions have been made for other movies, including his nephew Ram Charan’s Game Changer, which was released earlier this year.
With the movie gearing up for its grand release on 24 July, it seems Hari Hara Veera Mally may be heavy on the pockets of enthusiastic watchers hoping to catch an early show.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
