₹500 show, zero recorded reasons
Telangana approved higher ticket prices for The Paradise, then the High Court questioned why the government waited until the last minute and gave no reasons.
The High Court questioned the reasons recorded for Telangana’s last-minute ticket-price approval.
The Telangana government cleared a ₹500 special screening of Nani-starrer The Paradise at 6.30 pm on September 23, with higher ticket prices allowed across the state from September 24. The permission covered up to five shows a day: an additional ₹48 at single screens and ₹95 at multiplexes and special theatres until September 27, followed by lower increases through October 3. The reported Home Department memo also directed participating theatres to display messages on narcotics, drugs and cybercrime. Cinema tickets, now with civic education on the side.
The Telangana High Court has since questioned the approval’s timing and paperwork. A court report said the memo was issued on September 20, just days before the enhanced prices began, and “did not specify any reasons for the enhancement”. The court reportedly held that the memo was prima facie bereft of reasons and left open a government review or withdrawal, with the matter posted for October 6 for a counter-affidavit.
Reports also mention a welfare contribution by the film’s production entity, Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Cinemas LLP. The amount is not safe to print as ₹1 crore: one report says ₹1 crore, while another writes ₹1,00,000 and spells that out as one crore. The original memo was not available for inspection. The price hike has a number; the explanation is still waiting for one.