Telangana Exhibitors Seek Percentage Sharing System to Save Single-Screen Theatres
The Telangana Exhibitors Association held a crucial meeting to discuss and decide on the implementation of the proposed “Percentage Sharing System” aimed at protecting and sustaining single-screen theatres. Prominent producers Chadalavada Srinivas, Shirish Reddy, Suniel Narang, along with several exhibitors and industry members, attended the meeting. Following the discussions, the participants addressed the media and shared their concerns and resolutions regarding the current state of theatres in the Telugu film industry.
Speaking at the press meet, producer Chadalavada Srinivas said, “If a producer is considered the father of a film, then the exhibitor is like the child. The film industry can prosper only when both are cared for equally. A father works hard only for the well-being of his children. Similarly, exhibitors have been struggling for the past two decades. Due to lack of sustainability and support, their situation has deteriorated drastically, especially over the last year. The last six months, in particular, have been extremely difficult for exhibitors. The film industry can survive only if exhibitors survive.”
He further added that industry leaders like Suniel Narang and Shirish Reddy have been making sincere efforts for the welfare and development of theatres. “As a producer, I extend my complete support to this initiative. It is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to protect exhibitors. Strong coordination between producers, distributors, and exhibitors is the need of the hour. We must move forward by taking decisions that strengthen the film industry as a whole,” he stated.
Producer Shirish Reddy emphasized that the demand for the percentage-sharing model is purely a fight for survival and not targeted against any individual producer or film. “This is not being done to target any movie or create problems for producers. We are only asking the industry to save theatres. In every other state, films are released under the percentage-sharing model, so why is the Telugu industry still continuing with the rental system? That is the question we are raising,” he explained.
He appealed to the industry not to misunderstand the exhibitors’ intentions. “Please don’t look at us from a different perspective. We sincerely request everyone to protect exhibitors. We also want to clarify to audiences that even if government permissions are granted, we are not asking for increased ticket prices in theatres,” he added.
Telangana State Film Chamber of Commerce Secretary Sridhar said that exhibitors have been fighting for the implementation of the percentage system since 2008. “Even during the release of Hari Hara Veera Mallu, assurances were given that the percentage system would be implemented, but that did not happen. There has been false propaganda claiming that we are shutting down theatres. That is not true. We are only saying that we will screen films from those who agree to the percentage-sharing model,” he clarified.
He further revealed that leading banners like Geetha Arts, Venkateswara Creations, Suresh Productions, and Asian Cinemas have already adopted the system. “We hope the remaining producers and distributors will soon come forward as well. Across the country, films are being exhibited through the percentage-sharing model. We have no hostility toward anyone. But if the system is not implemented, theatres may eventually be forced to shut down,” he warned.
Producer Suniel Narang described the issue as extremely serious and stressed the urgent need for reform. “Every time there are discussions about implementing the percentage-sharing system, promises are made but never fulfilled. Producers themselves are also facing losses. Everyone in the industry is struggling,” he said.
He highlighted the growing gap between multiplexes and single-screen theatres in terms of technology and audience experience. “Multiplexes are constantly upgrading with advanced technologies and modern facilities, while single-screen theatres are unable to do so due to financial limitations. If facilities like Dolby sound and better infrastructure are introduced, audiences will definitely return to single screens as well,” Narang stated.
He concluded by saying that the closure of single-screen theatres would ultimately hurt producers and distributors too. “We are not targeting any particular film. For many years, we have been bringing this issue to the attention of producers. Though assurances are repeatedly given, they are rarely implemented. That is why we organized this meeting. We also request the media to support us in our effort to protect single-screen theatres,” he said.
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