Top Producers worried about 'Black' Guys!

When the whole of industry is running out of cash due to the failure of many mega budgeted flicks, these producers are spending money like water. Their black money is now worrying many real time 'bada' producers of Tollywood. Apparently, these two guys cannot be understood by anyone, regarding how they are investing decent amounts despite of losses. More than that, these big-wig black money guys are soon foraying into the business of Film Distribution, say sources. If this happens, there is no doubt that the big-four of Telugu Cinema Industry will be affected highly due to the magnitude of investment they are throwing in. The black producers are also in the process of building multiplex theatres across the state, as per a report. Doing business with clever tricks and false proof strategies is our 'bada' babus style and getting everything through money is this 'black' guys' style. Money will be the ultimate winner and there is no doubt that the news is creating tremors among our big-four.

Overseas Movie Market Vs Tollywood Producers

Overseas Telugu movie lovers can prepare to dig a little deeper into their pockets to watch forthcoming movies in this summer.

As distributors bought overseas rights for higher prices and lately realized they cannot recover investment costs. So starting this summer, with the big release SHAKTI, the ticket prices at a number of theatres across the country will be hiked as distributors & exhibitors try to cash in on a booming box office.

The cost of tickets for SHAKTI & TEENMAAR is expected to go up marginally from $12 to $15 or $16, and premier show tickets could go up almost to nearly $18 to $20.

These ticket prices are significantly higher and is this hike really worth it? As a result of rapidly rising prices, many more people will avoid watching movies in theatres and would encourage online movie piracy.

If the ticket prices rise to $15, then the price for family of four in overseas to see a movie in theater will be Rs. 2,700 ($30) when compared to Rs. 400 ($9) in theatres in India. How about adding popcorn, soda in the interval or dinner on the way to Movie Theater? In last few years, ticket prices in overseas rose from $8 to $12 and Telugu movie patrons  has no choice but to accept it .

Whether overseas Telugu movie patrons encourage high ticket prices and save distributors/exhibitors or boycott watching movies in theatres in this summer is a million dollar question???

Here’s the consumers opinion on increase of ticket prices:

"The U.S. economy isn't in the greatest shape, and there is definitely risk here in pushing price too far in a weak economy," said few exhibitors & movie patrons from across the country.

“I think it's time for the public to show overseas distributors & exhibitors and the movie industry in general that they need us more than we need them and boycott. They are making money off the backs of the working class and still want to increase their profits.” said many consumers across the country

“I used to go to the movies every weekend. Now I just wait for most of them to come out on Online or DVD. $1.99 for DVD or watching online for free is far more preferable to $12 - $15 per ticket for "the theater experience. As a result of high ticket prices, I am going to be really selective about what movie I see in the near future and I have a feeling other people are going to be doing the same due to the jump in ticket prices and lack of quality in the recent films that have been released”, says an NRI film buff.

So we have to see how Overseas-Telugu movie market negotiates with producers at home.

Small producers oppose ticket price hike

Small movie producers of Tollywood vehemently opposed the proposal to increase the ticket price in theatres across AP. They say that if the prices are hiked, it will all the more kill small and medium budget films.

They opined that the current ticket prices are themselves very expensive and increasing them further will prove nail in the coffin for movies with small and mid range heroes.

A group of small movie producers met at AP Film Chamber of commerce on Monday and declared that they will protest and agitate if the movie ticket prices are increased further.

Producers M S Gupta, Mohan Vadlapatla, RK, Nattikumar, Shankar Goud, Pusala Kishore et al participated in the meeting. They alleged that a few top producers in Tollywood recently met the Chief Minister and requested him to increase the ticket prices without even consulting the other producers in the industry. They claimed that over 1,000 theatres got shut down in the last one decade and increase in ticket prices will lead to further shut downs.

"Everyone knows howmany people suffered huge losses due to 'Khaleja', 'Puli' et al. The population is increasing on one hand and theatres are decreasing in number. This is because the ticket prices are already high and audience are not coming to theatres. If increased further, it will be a disaster.We will sit for a hunger strike if the government increases ticket prices" Mohan Vadlapatla said.