Tollywood producers urge Telangana, Andhra Govts to allow full seating capacity

Ahead of the festive season of Sankranthi, the Telugu Film Producers Council (TFPC) has requested the State governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to increase the seating capacity in cinema theatres to normal levels. The theatres and multiplexes are currently operating at 50 per cent capacity across the Telugu states.

With films like Ravi Teja-starrer Krack, Ram's Red, Alludu Adurs, and Master (dubbing) slated for release during Sankranthi, the TFPC, in a letter to the Chief Ministers of AP and Telangana, requested them to ease the restrictions on theatres and allow them to operate at 100 per cent capacity, duly following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

The TFPC's letter comes a day after the Tamil Nadu government allowed 100 per cent occupancy in theatres and multiplexes across the state, ahead of the release of new films during Pongal. "Like Tamil Nadu, we request the Chief Ministers and the officials concerned to allow us to operate with full seating capacity taking into account the decline of COVID-19 cases across AP and TS. Only then would we be able to meet the necessary expenditure for maintenance of cinema theatres/multiplexes in the Telugu states," read a statement from the TFPC.