CM Revanth Reddy today said that the Telugu film industry is duty-bound to do social service in some way before seeking increased ticket rates for movies that have been made at huge budgets. In recent times, films like 'RRR', 'Salaar' and 'Kalki 2898 AD' have enjoyed the benefit of premium rates. Even Sankranthi releases such as 'Guntur Kaaram' and 'Waltair Veerayya' have been sold at rates as high as Rs 495 in multiplexes in Hyderabad.
"If they (film stars and producers) want permission to hike ticket rates, they must make videos on drug abuse and cybercrime," the Telangana CM today said. He added that the length of the videos can be about two minutes long. These video clips must be submitted to concerned authorities while seeking rate hikes. And they should be played at the start of the film.
The idea is interesting, although something that is forced doesn't carry the weight of a voluntary public service announcement. If big stars like Prabhas and Allu Arjun do such videos because of a pre-condition set by the government, it would look not only insincere but also feel like it is not coming from a place of genuine sense of social responsibility.
