The Telangana Film Exhibitors recently held a press meet, voicing concerns about the functioning of single-screen theatres and insisting on continuing with the rental system. They claimed that several production houses had agreed to the proposal, while a few were yet to come on board.
In response, the Active Producers Guild addressed the media on Wednesday, strongly countering the exhibitors’ stand. Ravi Shankar of Mythri Movie Makers, and one of the producers of the big-budget film Peddi, criticised the timing of the demand.
“This issue came up during the release of Hari Hara Veera Mallu. After that, several big films were released, but no one spoke about the rental system. Now, when Peddi is gearing up for release, the issue is being raised again. It feels like unnecessary pressure. This is not the right approach,” said Ravi Shankar.
He added that the issue should not be discussed in isolation. “It’s not just exhibitors — producers and distributors are also facing heavy losses. Instead of holding separate press meets, all stakeholders should sit together and resolve the matter through discussions,” he said.
Producers Suryadevara Naga Vamsi, Sahu Garapati, Sudhakar Cherukuri, and Venkata Satish Kilaru were also present at the interaction. They stated that it was inappropriate for exhibitors to hold a one-sided press conference and speak in a confrontational tone. They stressed the need for a collective discussion involving all three sectors — exhibitors, distributors, and producers.
“The purpose of this press meet is to present the producers’ perspective after the exhibitors claimed injustice. We want to place the facts on record,” Ravi Shankar said.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by exhibitors but emphasised that the problem affects the entire ecosystem. “Exhibitors are facing difficulties, but so are distributors and producers. This is not a problem of one section alone. For years, all three sectors have worked together. Today, none of them are truly comfortable. We cannot move forward thinking only about individual benefit,” he noted.
Ravi Shankar also questioned the timing of the issue. “This topic surfaced during Hari Hara Veera Mallu, and many films have released since then. Why is it being pushed again now? For the past four to five months, the industry has struggled due to a lack of strong theatrical content. At a time when a major film is arriving, creating such uncertainty is not appropriate,” he said.
He further suggested that theatres should be graded based on infrastructure and facilities. “Not all theatres offer the same experience. Some have invested heavily in upgrades, while others still struggle with basic maintenance. A uniform rental system cannot work across the board,” he explained.
Citing examples, he mentioned that certain theatres consistently perform well due to better upkeep, while others require significant improvement. He also pointed out that substantial investments — amounting to nearly ₹1,500 crore — are currently being made in upcoming films, highlighting the scale at which producers are operating.
In a veiled remark, Ravi Shankar also took a dig at a leading exhibitor, noting the contradiction between advocating for single screens while expanding multiplex chains.
