Telangana High Court Halts ₹800 Special Show and 10-Day Ticket Hike for Pawan Kalyan’s OG
The release of Pawan Kalyan’s highly awaited film OG has hit an unexpected roadblock as the Telangana High Court stepped in to suspend a government order that allowed theatres to raise ticket prices. The decision has stirred intense discussions across the film industry and among fans, setting up a clash between commercial ambitions and consumer rights.
The background
Ahead of the film’s grand release, the Telangana government had issued a special order permitting higher ticket prices and an additional premiere show. According to the directive, the special show was scheduled for September 24 with tickets priced significantly higher than regular rates. For the first ten days of the theatrical run, single-screen theatres were allowed to add ₹100 to their regular rates while multiplexes were permitted an increase of ₹150. This meant tickets in single screens would be sold for close to ₹277 and multiplex tickets would shoot up to around ₹445, a sharp jump compared to usual pricing.
The move was seen as a nod to the enormous hype surrounding OG, which stars Pawan Kalyan in a much-anticipated role. Producers had argued that the price adjustment would help recover the film’s massive production and marketing costs, while fans were expected to pay the premium for the larger-than-life experience.
The legal challenge
Not everyone was convinced. A public interest litigation was filed challenging the legality of the government’s order. The petitioner argued that the special hike violated existing norms and gave an unfair concession to a single film. It was pointed out that rules already cap upper and lower limits for ticket prices and that the government’s sudden directive appeared arbitrary.
The case quickly came before the High Court where Justice N. V. Shravan Kumar examined whether such a hike was justified. The court questioned the rationale of granting exceptions only for one film and whether the additional earnings would benefit anyone beyond the producers and theatre owners. With these concerns in mind, the bench suspended the government’s order, halting the ticket price hike and cancelling the planned special premiere show.
Immediate impact
The decision threw release plans into disarray. Theatre owners who had already begun preparations for the special shows were forced to adjust schedules. Fans who had eagerly awaited the chance to watch OG in its first premiere screening were left disappointed. On social media, reactions were sharply divided — some hailed the court for standing up for moviegoers, while others felt the suspension might hurt the film’s box office momentum in Telangana.
Meanwhile, the situation in neighboring Andhra Pradesh created a striking contrast. There, authorities had already allowed benefit shows at premium rates and approved a ten-day ticket hike. As a result, OG will now release under two different pricing regimes in the Telugu states, a rare occurrence that highlights how state policies can directly shape box office outcomes.
Industry and fan reactions
For the film industry, the order has sparked concern about how such legal interventions could impact future releases. Big-budget films often rely on special permissions and premium ticketing to maximize early collections. The suspension raises questions about whether governments should continue granting film-specific exemptions or if a more uniform policy should be enforced.
Among fans, emotions are running high. Pawan Kalyan’s star power is legendary and his supporters were prepared to pay extra to be part of the first wave of audiences. Some argue that the suspension unfairly limits the excitement of a historic release, while others believe it protects ordinary viewers from inflated costs.
Looking ahead
The High Court has adjourned the matter for further hearing in October, meaning the issue is far from settled. The government and the producers are expected to push for reconsideration, while opponents of the price hike will continue to emphasize consumer interests. The outcome could set a lasting precedent for how movie ticket pricing is handled in the future, especially when it comes to big-ticket releases with massive fan followings.
For now, OG will release in Telangana at standard ticket rates, bringing relief to thousands of fans who may have struggled with higher prices. At the same time, the suspension has sparked a wider conversation about fairness, regulation and the balance between business interests and public accessibility in the entertainment industry.
As Pawan Kalyan’s film finally arrives on screens, the spotlight is no longer just on the actor or the storyline — it is also on the larger battle between commerce, law and the rights of the audience.
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