The Telangana High Court on Saturday declined to entertain a petition seeking to cancel the recent hike in ticket prices for the upcoming Chiranjeevi-starrer Mana Sankara Varaprasad Garu, which is scheduled for release on January 12. The petition, filed by advocate Vijay Gopal, came in the form of a house motion plea aimed at challenging the state government’s recent authorization permitting cinemas to increase ticket prices for a limited period surrounding the Sankranti festival.

Lawyers familiar with the proceedings reported that the high court advised the petitioner to file a fresh petition after the conclusion of the Sankranti festival, suggesting January 19 as an appropriate date to revisit the matter. The court’s decision effectively allowed the scheduled price hike to proceed during the festival period, while leaving the door open for subsequent legal scrutiny.

This development follows closely on the heels of a similar case involving the Prabhas-starrer Raja Saab, where the Telangana High Court had recently intervened to cancel a ticket price hike. In that instance, the court had reprimanded the state government for the absence of a consistent policy framework regulating ticket pricing. The judiciary had also expressed concern over the government’s apparent practice of permitting price increases on a film-to-film basis, highlighting the lack of clarity and uniformity in policy implementation.

During the hearings, the court observed that repeated relaxations allowing elevated ticket prices could compromise the public interest. It questioned whether ad hoc approvals for ticket price hikes effectively served the wider cinema-going audience or risked converting movie-going from a popular form of entertainment into a luxury reserved for those able to pay premium prices. Legal experts noted that the court’s remarks underscored the need for systematic regulation in the ticketing sector to protect consumers and ensure equitable access to cultural events.

The context for the current case revolves around recent government orders issued on Friday, which permitted a special paid premiere for Mana Sankara Varaprasad Garu on January 11, between 8 pm and 10 pm, with tickets priced at ₹600, including GST. In addition, from January 12 onwards, theatres across Telangana were authorized to raise ticket prices for a period of seven days—by ₹50 (including GST) for single-screen theatres and by ₹100 (including GST) for multiplexes. These measures were aimed at capitalizing on the festival season, which traditionally attracts higher footfall in cinemas across the state.

While the government orders provided temporary relief to cinema owners seeking higher revenues during peak festival periods, the pricing policy has raised questions regarding regulatory oversight and the potential for arbitrary decision-making. Cinematography experts argue that inconsistent price structures create confusion among consumers and may undermine public confidence in the fairness of ticketing systems. Moreover, the lack of standardized policy can also complicate the financial planning of film distributors, producers, and theatre owners, who often rely on predictable pricing guidelines for revenue projections.

Amidst this backdrop, Telangana’s cinematography minister, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, made a clear public statement on Saturday, distancing himself from any involvement in the recent ticket price decisions. Speaking to the press, he asserted that he had neither granted permission for price hikes in the past nor was he doing so at present. “I have stopped paying attention to the film industry,” he remarked, emphasizing that he had repeatedly instructed stakeholders not to approach his office for approvals relating to benefit shows or ticket price increases, particularly in the wake of the success of Pushpa 2.

Komatireddy further clarified that no official files related to recent releases, upcoming films, or Sankranti releases had reached his office. “I have no connection with cinema ticket rates or benefit shows,” he added, signaling an administrative attempt to delineate responsibilities and reduce allegations of ministerial interference in ticket pricing. This statement, observers noted, could also be interpreted as an effort to shift accountability for regulatory decisions away from individual political offices and toward institutional mechanisms or government departments responsible for policy implementation.

The Telangana High Court’s decision and subsequent instructions to file a fresh petition after Sankranti reflect broader tensions between judicial oversight, consumer protection, and commercial interests in the entertainment sector. Cinema ticket pricing has historically been a contentious issue in India, especially during festival seasons when blockbuster releases draw significant crowds. The delicate balance between ensuring fair access for the general public and allowing theatres and distributors to capitalize on peak-season demand has often resulted in legal challenges, policy revisions, and public debates.

The latest case involving Chiranjeevi’s Mana Sankara Varaprasad Garu highlights several key issues. First, it underscores the need for a comprehensive and transparent policy on ticket pricing that can be consistently applied across the state and prevent ad hoc approvals that could be perceived as favoritism. Second, it raises questions about the role of elected officials and government departments in regulating commercial activities in the entertainment industry. Third, the case reflects the judiciary’s growing engagement in consumer welfare and equitable access to cultural experiences, positioning courts as key arbiters when disputes arise between commercial entities, government authorities, and the public.

Industry stakeholders, including theatre owners, distributors, and producers, will likely be closely monitoring the court’s directive to file a fresh petition post-Sankranti. The decision could set a precedent for how ticket pricing disputes are handled in Telangana and may influence broader discussions about festival pricing, premium premieres, and the rights of consumers in India’s dynamic cinema landscape. Legal analysts suggest that a clear judicial ruling following the new petition could compel the state government to establish more robust, codified guidelines for ticket pricing that are transparent, equitable, and legally defensible.

Meanwhile, cinema-goers in Telangana are preparing to watch Mana Sankara Varaprasad Garu during the Sankranti festivities, with ticket prices reflecting the temporary government-authorized hike. The controversy surrounding the pricing is unlikely to deter fans of Chiranjeevi from attending screenings, but it has sparked wider public discourse on the fairness and regulation of ticketing practices, particularly during high-demand periods.

In conclusion, the Telangana High Court’s refusal to immediately cancel the ticket price hike, coupled with instructions to file a fresh petition after the festival, emphasizes the judiciary’s methodical approach in balancing commercial interests with public welfare. At the same time, the statements by the state cinematography minister reinforce ongoing administrative ambiguities and the need for clear, uniform policy measures. As Telangana prepares for the release of multiple high-profile films in the Sankranti period, the outcome of the forthcoming petition and any subsequent court orders could have far-reaching implications for ticket pricing governance and the overall regulatory framework governing the state’s film industry.