Even as the Telangana high court granted relief to megastar Chiranjeevi-starrer “Mana Sankara Vara Prasad Garu,” with regard to hike in cinema ticket prices in theatres, Telangana cinematography minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy has thrown up his hands saying he has no role in ticket prices or nor has he any interest in the Telugu film industry.
The high court, which cancelled the memo issued by the state government to increase the ticket prices for “The Raja Saab” on Friday, however, refused to entertain a house motion petition filed by advocate Vijay Gopal on Saturday seeking a similar cancellation of ticket price hike for the Chiranjeevi film.
The high court asked the advocate to file a fresh petition on January 19, after Sankranti festival vacation.
Meanwhile, Komatireddy on Saturday said he had neither given permission in the past nor is giving approval now for any increase in movie ticket prices in the state.
“I have stopped paying attention to the film industry. I have been repeatedly telling them not to come to me seeking permission for benefit shows or ticket price hikes, especially after Pushpa 2,” Komatireddy told reporters.
He clarified that no files related to the recent film releases, upcoming releases, or Sankranti films had reached his office.
“In fact, I myself have told them not to apply. Nobody is meeting me,” he added.
Referring to the tragic Sandhya Theatre incident in which a woman lost her life, the minister said it made him question why he had earlier shown concern for such matters.
He said that immediately after the incident, he spoke to hospital authorities, the District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) and others, and provided a cheque of Rs 25 lakh through the Prateek Foundation.
“At that time, even the producer did not send anyone. If government funds are to be released, it has to be done through a formal process. I also assured the father of the injured boy that I would take responsibility for raising and educating him,” he said.
Komatireddy further recalled that he had announced in the assembly the very next day that benefit shows and ticket price hikes would not be allowed in Telangana.
“I have stood by that statement and have not signed a single file so far. I returned late last night after reviewing development works in Nalgonda. I do not wish to focus on the film industry,” he asserted.
He clarified that he intervenes only when workers approach him with grievances or in matters concerning poor artists.
“Beyond that, I have no connection with rates, benefits, or ticket price issues. The GOs being issued regarding ticket price hikes have no connection with me,” the minister said.