In a move aimed at ending long-standing ambiguity over cinema ticket pricing in Andhra Pradesh, the state government is considering the issuance of a single, comprehensive Government Order (GO) applicable to all films, Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh announced on Wednesday.

Speaking to the media after a review meeting of the Film Ticket Price Rationalisation Committee at the Secretariat, the minister said the government intends to move away from the existing practice of issuing separate GOs for individual films based on budget. “Our objective is to introduce a uniform policy that ensures clarity, fairness, and balance, protecting the interests of common moviegoers while supporting the growth of the film industry,” he said.

Durgesh stressed that the proposed policy would be framed after taking into account the views of producers, distributors, and exhibitors. Discussions are underway on categorising films, particularly high-budget productions, and evolving a rational, category-based ticket pricing structure applicable across theatres.

The minister said a meeting with producers and distributors would be convened shortly to gather broader feedback. “Telugu cinema has moved beyond pan-India and is now competing on a global scale. This has significantly increased production costs, and policy decisions must factor in these realities without burdening audiences,” he observed.

The review meeting was attended by senior officials, including the Principal Secretary of the Finance Department, the Director of Information and Public Relations, the Managing Director of APSFTV and TDC Limited, the Secretary of the Law Department, and representatives of the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce. The committee examined rationalisation of ticket prices for multiplexes and single-screen theatres, as well as norms to be followed for increasing ticket rates for high-budget films.

Durgesh said the committee would submit its recommendations to the government after detailed consultations. Until then, ticket price revisions would continue under the existing GO through the Home Department. The committee is also deliberating on norms related to the extent of film shooting to be carried out in the state, with a broader goal of promoting Andhra Pradesh as a preferred destination for film production and tourism development.

Once a policy-level decision is finalised, a new GO will be issued, the minister said, assuring that the government would stand firmly with film producers while fostering sustainable growth of the cinema and television industry in the state.