Online ticketing triggers unrest in Tollywood
The dispute over movie ticket prices that started a major uproar between the telugu film industry and the government of andhra pradesh a few months ago has not yet been resolved. The conflict has changed course as a result of the jagan Mohan reddy administration's insistence that movie tickets only be sold via an online website maintained by the ap State Film, Television, and Theatre Development Corporation.
While tollywood has not voiced any opposition to the selling of tickets online per se, the industry is upset over the government's requirement that it pay the theatres' share to the exhibitors only after subtracting the tax and surcharge from the revenues. The exhibitors are required by government mandate to execute an agreement with the APSFTTDC to that effect. The movie theatres are not happy about this. The government has threatened to revoke their licences if they don't sign the accord. Based solely on the sale of movie tickets via an online platform maintained by the ap State Film, Television, and Theatre Development Corporation.
The exhibitors contend that the public would question the theatre rather than the government if a movie was delayed for whatever reason days after tickets had been sold in advance. Who is accountable to the viewers? They are wondering, "Theatres or the government?" The collection of a 2 percent levy on ticket prices is also being questioned by the exhibitors. They further disagree with the requirement that they arbitrate any disputes with the government solely at the amaravati arbitration centre.
While tollywood has not voiced any opposition to the selling of tickets online per se, the industry is upset over the government's requirement that it pay the theatres' share to the exhibitors only after subtracting the tax and surcharge from the revenues. The exhibitors are required by government mandate to execute an agreement with the APSFTTDC to that effect. The movie theatres are not happy about this. The government has threatened to revoke their licences if they don't sign the accord. Based solely on the sale of movie tickets via an online platform maintained by the ap State Film, Television, and Theatre Development Corporation.
The exhibitors contend that the public would question the theatre rather than the government if a movie was delayed for whatever reason days after tickets had been sold in advance. Who is accountable to the viewers? They are wondering, "Theatres or the government?" The collection of a 2 percent levy on ticket prices is also being questioned by the exhibitors. They further disagree with the requirement that they arbitrate any disputes with the government solely at the amaravati arbitration centre.