'Shows Have Already Been Telecast': Andhra Pradesh HC Dismisses PIL Challenging Increase In Ticket Prices Of Telugu Film 'Sankranthiki Vasthunam'

The Andhra Pradesh High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation plea challenging the increase in ticket prices of Telugu film 'Sankranthiki Vasthunam'–starring Venkatesh, Aishwarya Rajesh and Meenakshi Chaudhary–and which further sought an investigation into the film's production cost valued at over Rs. 100 crores.

A division bench of Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Ravi Cheemalapati in its order said:

"Be that as it may, considering the fact that there is no point in dealing with the aspect of enhancing the ticket prices for the film named “Sankranthiki Vastunam”, as the scheduled shows have already been telecast, this Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is liable to be dismissed. Accordingly, the Public Interest Litigation is dismissed."

On the prayer in the PIL for ordering an investigation into the film's production cost, the bench said that "it is not viable in the writ Court to order the initiation of an investigation" as that function "clearly lies in the domain of the executive and it is up to the investigating agencies themselves to decide whether the material produced before them provides a sufficient basis to launch an investigation". 

Background

The respondents–which includes the Union of India and the film's producers–had issued a memo on January 8 which enhanced the ticket rates of the film and further gave permission to screen six shows on January 14  and five shows from January 15 to 23 with an additional cost of Rs.125 (including GST) for Multiplex and Rs.100 (including GST) for single theatres on the existing rates.

It was the case of the petitioner–Mallavarapu Lakshmana Kumar that the said memo was violative of a Government Order (G.O.Ms.No.13) issued by Home (General-A) Department dated March 7, 2022, which, at para 3 (Rates of Admission into theatres), fixed the rate per show in different areas with different nature of theatres. However, in the memo dated January 8 there was no specific rate for each category of show and altogether a different rate was fixed, which violated the said G.O dated March 7, 2022.

The petitioner further contended that the High Court, in another writ petition (No.7094 of 2022), had granted interim stay for implementation of the G.O. Ms. No.13. Thus, issuance of the January 8 memo which enhanced the ticket prices was argued to be illegal and unsustainable.

The PIL challenging this memo, sought that the action of the respondents enhancing the ticketing price and telecast of number of shows per day of 14 to 18th respondent Super High Budget Films “Sankranthiki Vasthunam” violating the orders of this court in W.P.No.7094 of 2022 dated 20.04.2022 and quid pro quo of production cost of more than Rs.100 crores is illegal, arbitrary, unjust, improper against principles of Natural Justice. 

It sought a direction to the respondents more particularly 5th respondent to revise the ticket price of 14th to 18th respondent Super High Budget Films “Sankranthiki Vasthunam” as per March 7, 2022 G.O.Ms.No.13 Home (General-A) Department and recover the excess amounts to state exchequer.

It sought a direction for a proper inquiry/investigation against respondents 14 to 18 Super High Budget Films “Sankranthiki Vasthunam” of quidproquo of production cost of more than Rs.100 crores

It further sought against 14 to 19th respondents for their hype in promoting their film named “Sankranthiki Vasthunam” . 

Findings

The High Court dismissed the PIL primarily on two grounds.

Firstly, the Court noted that by the time the memo scheduling six shows on 14.01.2025 and five shows from 15.01.2025 to 23.01.2025 came for consideration before the Court, the said shows had already been telecast and it thus served no purpose in dealing with the aspect. The Court further held,

“Moreover, in view of the stand taken by the Government that they are proposing to modify the G.O.Ms.No.13 Home (General-A) Department dated 07.03.2022, this Court is of the opinion that this petition has been, in fact, filed not on account of the interest of the public but only for purposes of getting publicity.”

Secondly, with respect to the issue of ordering an investigation with regard to the production cost of the film, the Court held,

“In the said circumstances, directing the Enforcement Directorate to investigate, in our view, is again a abuse of the process of the Court, as the petition is short of wild and sweeping allegations and there is nothing placed before the Court which in any way may be called to be prima facie evidence. The petitioner, thus, is attempting to seek a roving probe monitored by this Court into suspicions so entertained by the petitioners based on nothing but bald allegations. This is thus, certainly not a case warranting the exercise of extraordinary jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution.”

Accordingly, the PIL was dismissed.

Case Name: Mallavarapu Lakshmana Kumar v. Union Of India and Others

WP(PIL) NO: 22/2025

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