The proposed shutdown of theatres in the Telugu states from June 1 has been officially postponed following extensive discussions held at the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce. Exhibitors, distributors, and producers came together to deliberate on the issue, ultimately deciding to avoid halting theatre operations.
Earlier, exhibitors had announced a shutdown demanding a shift from the current rental-based revenue model to a percentage-based revenue-sharing system. This move was in response to growing concerns about declining theatre footfalls due to piracy, the popularity of OTT platforms, and the ongoing IPL season.
In a series of meetings held on Tuesday, over 40 distributors from both Telugu states met with the Film Chamber in the morning, followed by a session with producers in the afternoon. The majority opinion was clear — shutting down theatres would only harm the industry further, especially with several major film releases lined up from May 30.
Distributors and producers highlighted past instances, such as shutdowns over Qube issues and artists’ remunerations, which yielded minimal results. Learning from those experiences, they stressed that this time, the Telugu film industry should focus on resolving internal challenges without disrupting the audience experience or box office flow.
With the decision to postpone the shutdown, theatres across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh will continue operating as usual while stakeholders engage in further discussions to reach a sustainable solution.
