Telangana High Court Extends Interim Order Suspending Govt Memo Permitting Hike On Pawan Kalyan's 'OG' Film Ticket Prices
The Telangana High Court on Friday (September 26) extended its earlier interim order which suspended a memo issued by the state government's home department permitting hike in ticket prices for Pawan Kalyan starrer Telugu movie 'OG'.
Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar in his order said,“If the interim order dated 24.09.2025 passed by this Court is modified/vacated with respect to the increase of prices of tickets and continuing the same would be a clear violation of the orders passed by the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court passed in W.P. (PIL) Nos.74 and 97 of 2021 and W.As. No.864 of 2017 and batch. Unless a detailed counter is filed by the respondent No.1, the controversy involved this writ petition cannot be decided finally. That apart, stakeholders, who are party in the pending writ petitions before this Court are ought to have been diligent in pursuing the matters. The impugned memo is bereft of reasons in terms of Section 12 of the Act".
For context on September 24, the high court had suspended the memo permitting cinema theatres to screen one benefit show of actor Pawan Kalyan starrer Telugu movie 'OG' and charge Rs. 800 for it as well as charge other enhanced rates for the movie till October 4. While passing the order, the court had relied on G.O.Ms 120 issued in 2021, which fixed the maximum rates of payment for admission to the different classes in the licensed premises/cinema theatres.
Against this movie's producer DVV Entertainment moved an appeal before the division bench. The division bench while disposing of the appeal on September 25 remanded the matter back to the single judge with a request to pass appropriate orders in accordance with law, without being influenced by the division bench and till then the September 24 order was kept in abeyance.
When the matter was heard by the single judge on Friday, the senior counsel appearing for the producer contended that under Section 12 of the A.P. Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1955 Government has the power to exempt certain conditions and restrictions and that the company made an application dated to the Minister for Cinematography requesting for enhancement of ticket rates and permission for premier show. In this application, it was submitted that the movie is produced at a very high budget to reach the expectation of the audience and to avoid black marketing during the Dussehra festival period, it had requested to allow the screening of the film with enhanced rates.
A Cinema Theatre, which was already sold tickets are a higher rate, also sought to be impleaded. The Senior counsel appearing on behalf of the theatre contended that it would be impossible at this stage to return the difference in amount and that the same would have a drastic effect on its financials and on all the shareholders.
The Writ petitioner (moviegoer) contended that theatres in his locality had increased the price of movie tickets, and he, being an avid moviegoer, was directly affected by the impugned memo.
After hearing all sides, the Bench held
" On a perusal of the impugned memo, admittedly, it has been issued in the request made by the Respondent no.3. The Special Government Chief Secretary to the Government has issued the impugned memo referring to the GOMS. No. 120 dated 21.12.2021, which emanates from the common order dated 31.10.2016, passed in WP. NO 18779, 19046 of 2012 and batch of this Court, The Special Chief Secretary to Government in all fairness, ought not to have issued the impugned memo prescribing the rates, which are in contravention of the GOMS. No. 120 dated 21.12.20221 and more so, the Government took a firm stand that there shall not be hike for any benefit shows. The Learned Government Pleader did not explain how the Government justified in issuing the impugned memo dated 19.9.2025 (though has a reference of G.o.M.S. No. 120 dated 21.12.2021) wherein rates have been prescribed and that the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court in WP. (PIL) NO. 74 and 97 of 2021 and WA No. 864 of 2017 and batch had directed the State Government to ensure strict compliance of the rates prescribed in the GOMs NO. 120.”
The Bench also noted that no challenge had been made to GOMS 120 issued in 2021 and thus the government was bound by their order. Thus, the court extended its earlier interim orders and said,
“In view of the same, interim order dated 24.09.2025 passed by this Court in WP. NO. 29214 of 2025 is extended till the next date of hearing i.e., 09.10.2025. Further, the competent authority shall ensure to implement the interim order dated 24.09.2025 passed by this Court in their respective jurisdiction.”
The matter is listed on October 9.
Case title: Barla Mallesh Yadav v/s State of Telangana and Others
Counsel for petitioner: Vijay Gopal
Counsel for respondents: Senior advocates Avinash Desi, S Niranjan Reddy, advocates Sirgapoor Sahil Reddy, Qazi Salar Masood