Telangana Single screen theatres halt screenings – Theatre owners across Telangana have decided to halt screenings due to financial challenges, with no major films set to release until June 27, and low occupancy.Theatres in smaller towns incur daily expenses ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000, while in Hyderabad, costs are even higher, between Rs 15,000 and Rs 18,000 per day. Despite these high costs, daily revenues for many small cinemas fall short, often not exceeding Rs 4,000. The financial imbalance has led to this drastic measure as a temporary solution until the anticipated release of the film “Kalki” in June.
“Theatres are struggling with low occupancy rates and mounting losses,” said Reddy. He mentioned the possibility of resuming screenings if producers agree to provide upfront payments to mitigate some of the financial burdens.
However, the decision to close theatres has not been universally accepted. Senior producer, distributor, and exhibitor Natti Kumar expressed his shock and concern during a press conference in Hyderabad. He criticized the move, arguing that it is unfair to abruptly shut down cinemas, which could drive audiences to prefer OTT platforms over theatres. Kumar questioned the strategy of reopening theatres only for big releases, suggesting it may undermine the regular footfall and loyalty of moviegoers.
The situation underscores a broader crisis within the cinema exhibition industry, exacerbated by the shift towards digital streaming services. With traditional cinemas facing unprecedented challenges, the future of single-screen theatres in Telangana remains uncertain.
As the Telugu film industry waits for the next big release, stakeholders are calling for collaborative solutions to support Telangana’s single screen Theatres & and sustain the cultural heritage of cinema-going in the region. The upcoming release of films like “Kalki” & Devara is seen as a potential turning point, but whether it will be sufficient to revive the struggling theatres remains to be seen.
