Telugu Film Theaters Remain Open as Shutdown Plan Halted

The planned indefinite closure of single-screen theaters across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, initially set for June 1, has been called off following a decisive meeting at the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce.

A collective decision was reached by over 40 exhibitors from both states, joined by key film producers and distributors, to suspend the shutdown plan. The stakeholders opted to keep the theaters operational while exploring viable alternatives to long-pending issues related to rental agreements and revenue-sharing mechanisms.

With several major Telugu film releases lined up from this weekend, industry representatives agreed that keeping theaters open is essential to avoid further disruptions. The meeting emphasized the urgency of finding sustainable resolutions without halting exhibition operations.

Earlier, the industry witnessed brief interruptions due to the Qube technology issue and later, a temporary shooting ban over increasing pay demands from actors and crew. However, no lasting outcomes emerged from those actions. This time, the consensus favored continued negotiations over closures.

Stakeholders highlighted ongoing challenges, including audience migration to OTT platforms, the impact of IPL on footfalls, and persistent piracy concerns, which have collectively eroded theatrical revenues. In light of these factors, participants deemed a shutdown counterproductive under current conditions.

The Chamber has assured that discussions will continue to arrive at long-term solutions addressing financial and structural issues faced by single-screen exhibitors in the Telugu states.