The Hindu Business Line : Small film producers oppose move on big-budget films

SMALL producers of the Telugu film industry are up in arms against the Government decision to allow the producers of big budget films to hike ticket prices in the first two weeks by 75 per cent.

Mr Natti Kumar, a small producer who recently went on an indefinite strike protesting against such a proposal, told Business Line that small producers were looking for the details of the said GO to challenge the decision, which includes approaching the High Court.

Mr Kumar said a delegation of small producers would meet the Opposition leaders to gather support for their demand.

The GO allowed producers of big films to increase the prices of two upper class tickets by 75 per cent in the first two weeks.

While big producers argued that the move would help them cash in on the popularity of the lead actors, small producers worried that it would empty the pockets of the people. "Over 100 theatres have been booked for screening the upcoming Chiranjeevi-starrer Jai Chiranjeeva in the Nizam (broadly covering Telangana districts) area. Forty more theatres are likely to be roped in. Besides robbing us of theatres to screen small films, it is likely to collect Rs 5 crore more as a result of the decision," a small producer said.

Jai Chiranjeeva is slated to be released on December 21.

It is rumoured in the film industry that the release had been deferred at least twice anticipating the Government move. Mr Tammareddy Bharadwaja, a senior producer, however pooh-poohed the small film-big film analogy. "There are good films and there are bad films, there is nothing like a big film or a small film," he said.

"Even some of the so-called small films like Anand did well. If a small film is made well, it will taste success and will become a big film. There is no point criticising others. People (producers) have been spending more on remunerations and concentrating little on filmmaking. This is the reason why most of the films are not doing well," he said.

He said the permission to hike the prices would definitely help both the industry and the Government. "Instead of allowing black marketers to make a killing, it allows the producer to get additional income. The Government, too, will be benefited in the form of increased tax collections," he said. He, however, pointed out that there were divergent opinions on the issue. "Some people worry that the hike will boost piracy," he said.