Rajinikanth’s Jailer 2 is releasing in AP with a ticket-price hike. But the question is why Telugu audiences should pay more for a dubbed film when its home state has no comparable hike. Tamil Nadu has no reported ticket-price hike, while Andhra Pradesh has permitted an additional Rs 50 for single screens and Rs 75 for multiplexes for seven days.
The difference is hard to overlook. The film is same, and Rajinikanth’s popularity is same, but the ticket price changes when the movie crosses into Andhra Pradesh. Why should Telugu fans pay extra to watch a dubbed version when audiences in Tamil Nadu are subject to a different pricing limit?
The discussion also brings the distributor’s deal into focus. Distributors may pay a huge amount to acquire the rights to a Rajinikanth film, expecting strong openings and big returns. But that is their business decision. If they choose to buy the rights at a high price, why should the audience have to pay more to help them recover that investment? Nobody asked them to spend beyond what they believe the market can support.
The contrast with Ranabaali is worth noting. Vijay Deverakonda’s Telugu film Ranabaali is scheduled for October 16, and Mythri Movie Makers has said it has not sought a ticket-price hike in Andhra Pradesh or Telangana. Jailer 2 is arriving a day earlier, with higher ticket prices permitted in AP.
The central question remains the same, if a dubbed film does not get a similar ticket hike in its home state, why should Telugu audiences carry the extra cost? A distributor’s investment is a business risk. It should not automatically become a higher bill for fans who simply want to watch a film.
