Telangana High Court Suspends Govt Order Hiking Pawan Kalyan's 'OG' Film Ticket Prices

The Telangana High Court in an interim order suspended a memo issued by the state government department 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. 

The plea questions an order passed by State's Department of Home permitting exhibition of cinema, one show at 9.00 pm on September 24, with ticket rate of Rs.800 (including GST) for this show only and other enhanced rates for remaining days till October 4 for the movie. 

Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar in his order noted that the "competent licensing" authority who can enhance ticket rates as per the Andhra Pradesh Cinemas (Regulation) Act,  was the District Collector/Commissioner of Police depending upon whether the cinemas fell within the jurisdiction of the Hyderabad or Secunderabad city.

"ln the present case, the Commissioner of Police is empowered to fix the rates but not the respondent No.1. Hence, the impugned Memo dated 19.09.2025 is in contravention of the G.O. Ms. No.120, dated 21.12.2021 and in violation of the order dated 23.12.2021 passed in W.P. (PIL) No.74 of 2021 and batch by the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court...Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case and the submissions made to the learned counsel on either side, there shall be an interim suspension of the impugned Memo dated 19.09.2025 issue,” the court said.  

While passing the order, the court 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.

The bench further relied on a division bench order in a 2021 PIL by which the State government was directed to follow the government order in the strict sense.

A plea was also made before the court to direct that the authorities to ensure that the audience was above 18 years of age, since the movie was rated 'A'.

The court thus also directed the Commissioner of Police to ensure that "only 18+ Adult audiences are allowed in the cinema as per the rating of the movie granted by the CBFC, Government of India and also to ensure that the ticket are not to be sold to the below 18 years audiences". 

The matter is listed on October 9.

Case title: Barla Mallesh Yadav vs. State of Telangana and Others

Counsel for petitioner: Vijay Gopal

Counsel for respondents: GP for Home.

Click Here To Read/Download Order