MSG & Raja Saab.. What’s the Scene with Premiere Ticket Prices?
Tollywood Megastar Chiranjeevi and Rebel Star Prabhas are all set to light up the festive season with their much-awaited films, arriving as special Sankranthi treats for movie lovers.
Chiranjeevi will entertain audiences with Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu, while Prabhas is gearing up to storm theatres with The Raja Saab. Both films are releasing within a short span. The Raja Saab is scheduled to hit the screens first on January 9, followed by Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu on January 12.
Interestingly, both movies will have paid premiere shows in the Telugu states, a fact already officially confirmed by the respective production houses. As is customary, the premieres will be held a day ahead of the theatrical release.
With premiere shows usually priced higher than regular screenings, discussions have now shifted to the ticket rates for Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu and The Raja Saab. Last year, several big-ticket releases witnessed steep premiere prices, and moviegoers are curious to know how high the makers will go this time.
According to industry buzz, the makers of Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu are planning to keep the premiere ticket prices reasonable. The primary reason appears to be the film’s genre. Designed as a wholesome family entertainer, the team believes that affordable pricing will encourage greater turnout from family audiences. Reports suggest that the producers are keen on fixing comparatively lower premiere rates to ensure wider reach.
On the other hand, The Raja Saab is expected to command premium pricing. Strong rumors indicate that the premiere ticket price could be above ₹500, with some sources suggesting ₹600, while others speculate it could go as high as ₹800. It may be recalled that Balakrishna’s recent film Akhanda had its premiere ticket price fixed at ₹600, setting a benchmark for big-star releases.
When it comes to permissions, securing approvals in Andhra Pradesh is expected to be relatively smooth, with the government likely to issue the necessary GO for higher ticket pricing. However, the situation in Telangana appears uncertain. Recently, Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy clearly stated that no permissions would be granted for special shows or increased ticket rates. This has cast doubt over whether premiere shows will be allowed in Telangana at all.
Producers have indicated that they plan to approach the government once again, but clarity is still awaited. For now, it is almost certain that premiere shows will take place in Andhra Pradesh, while Telangana remains a big question mark. If permissions are eventually granted in both states, it will be interesting to see how the premiere ticket prices differ across the two regions.