Confused? This is what the trade circles in Andhra Pradesh are speculating. Ever since the Andhra Pradesh government refused permission for special shows and a hike in ticket prices for Pawan Kalyan's Vakeel Saab, the theatre owners and exhibitors of the neighbouring Telugu State felt dejected and furious and are expressing their agony with Dil Raju, the producer of Vakeel Saab.

With no big Telugu film likely to release later this month and in May, theatre owners in Andhra Pradesh are worried that lack of revenues or business would compel them to shut down the operations across the state.

"We braved COVID-19 and felt relieved when the audience showing good signs of return to theatres. After Vakeel Saab ticket row, none of the films would want to test waters at the box office. As Love Story release got postponed last week, Nani's Tuck Jagadish too followed the suit. The situation would also hold the same with Virata Parvam, Acharya, Narappa and Balakrishna-Boyapati's film among other big releases. If the arm-twisting continues, we have to re-think our plans to continue our operations," says a distributor on condition of anonymity.

Further, he adds, "We hope Telugu film industry big wigs would step up and help us get over this situation."

Vakeel Saab released on April 9 has opened to a positive response from critics and audience alike. The film is on the verge of becoming the highest grosser in the career of Pawan Kalyan.