Pawan Kalyan Defends Film Ticket Price Hikes, Says It Is Not Exploitation

Actor-turned-politician and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has defended the practice of increasing movie ticket prices, stating that such hikes should not be viewed as exploitation of audiences. Speaking at the pre-release event of his upcoming film Ustaad Bhagat Singh, he said watching movies is a matter of personal choice and not a compulsion.

Addressing criticism over rising ticket prices, Kalyan remarked that cinema is a form of entertainment and no one is forced to buy a ticket. He emphasized that audiences today have multiple entertainment options, including digital streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, which provide alternatives for viewers who do not wish to watch films in theatres.

According to him, ticket price hikes typically affect only those who prefer watching films during early shows or on the first few days of release, when demand is high. He argued that the film industry invests heavily in production and promotion, and flexible pricing helps recover costs while supporting theatre owners and distributors.

Kalyan also spoke about the changing landscape of Indian cinema, noting that language and regional barriers are gradually disappearing as films reach wider audiences across the country. He said the industry is expanding rapidly, with audiences embracing content from different languages and regions.

The remarks come amid ongoing debates in the Telugu film industry over temporary ticket price hikes during the initial days of big-budget releases, particularly for highly anticipated star-driven films.

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