May not be profitable to release new films in Telangana, says film industry

HYDERABAD: Representatives of Telugu film industry urged the state government to allow a minimum amount as parking fee while asserting that they were waiting for a complete unlock in the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh also before reopening theatres.
The Telangana State Film Chamber of Commerce (TSFCC) said one of the main sources of income for theatres is parking fee which accounts for 40% of revenue.
In a representation to chief secretary Somesh Kumar on Monday, honorary secretary of the chamber Sunil Narang also explained how theatres had suffered a blow because of pandemic and lockdown in the last two years.
With theatres not opening despite the government lifting the lockdown a fortnight ago, Somesh Kumar held a meeting with film producers Daggubati Suresh Babu, Dil Raju and others to enquire what was preventing them from reopening cinema halls.
M Vijendar Reddy, theatre owner and former president of Telangana film chamber of commerce, said various issues pertaining to the industry were explained to the CS by the representatives.
“It was also explained that it would not be profitable to release new films only in Telangana and that the film industry is waiting for lockdown to be lifted in AP,” Vijendar said.
The representatives urged the government to reduce the state GST and vacancy remission for cinema halls in Telangana as theatres were closed for a long period so that they do not have to pay property tax for the last two years.
The representatives also wanted the government to reduce rates for film shootings at different locations all over the state.