The Telugu film industry has extended its support to the Andhra Pradesh government’s decision to sell cinema hall tickets using an online system, according to PTI.
The new system, which will be similar to the railway ticket booking portal, was welcomed by prominent members of Tollywood, including producers Dil Raju and C Kalyan, and studio owner G Adiseshagiri Rao, who had met State Information and Public Relations Minister Perni Venkataramaiah, on Monday.
As per the report, Kalyan told reporters after the meeting that it was the film industry that had placed a request with the government to put such an online ticketing system in place. Rao added that while online ticketing is currently optional, they want it to be made mandatory going forth.
Previously, a section of film producers and exhibitors were unhappy with the government’s decision to introduce the railway ticketing-like online booking system as they were concerned about potential technical snags, Deccan Chronicle reported.
Speaking to the press on Monday, the minister said that everyone has now agreed to the new online system. He added that the tickets will be sold through the portal at prices fixed by the government. “The industry representatives raised several issues, including the problems they face. We will take these up with the Chief Minister and take necessary action,” the minister further said.
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It is to be noted that a handful of big film producers exert an undue control over cinema halls in the state, both single screens and multiplexes, in terms of releases and screenings. In April, the AP government capped movie ticket prices at Rs 250 based on an order from the High Court.
On August 31, the government ordered the setting up of an eight-member committee under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary (Home) to design and implement the online ticketing system. One of the objectives of the new system is to check tax evasion, Minister Perni Venkataramaiah had earlier said.