The ongoing clash between Telangana exhibitors and film producers has now exploded big time, and Ram Charan’s Peddi has unexpectedly landed at the center of the storm.
For several months, exhibitors in Telangana have been asking producers to change how money is shared in single-screen theatres. Right now, many theatres work on a rental system, where theatre owners pay fixed amounts. Exhibitors say this system is hurting them financially, and they want a percentage-sharing model instead, where theatre owners get a share of ticket collections.
The problem has now become bigger because Telangana exhibitors have warned that if producers do not agree to this change, they may refuse to screen Peddi in single-screen theatres across Telangana.
The biggest disagreement is about money. Industry discussions suggest that if Andhra Pradesh allows higher ticket prices and exhibitors receive a 7.5% share of revenue, Peddi producers fear they could lose between Rs. 4 crores and Rs. 10 crores. Producers believe this financial burden is too high.
Exhibitors, however, argue that theatre owners are struggling to survive. They say producers now earn money from many sources beyond theatres, including OTT deals, satellite rights, overseas rights, music rights, and digital platforms.
Exhibitors claim more than 120 single-screen theatres are under financial pressure. They also say producers have been giving promises for months without finding a solution.
Telangana exhibitors have now taken the issue to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
At present, neither side is ready to compromise. What began as a business dispute has turned into a major battle between theatre owners and film producers, with Peddi becoming the biggest film affected by it.
