RGV asks Perni Nani if ‘ration theatres’ are coming up

Andhra Pradesh Cinematography Minister Perni Nani has been in favour of lowering cinema ticket prices in the State to absurdly low levels. Even Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy has described the move as a pro-poor one. On Tuesday, Ram Gopal Varma, who opposes the move, has posed a series of questions to the government, tagging Minister Nani.

RGV asked if ration theatres on the lines of fair-price ration shops will be created to help the poor access cinemas like they get to buy rice and sugar at subsidized rates. Varma opined that the government can think of buying cinema tickets from producers and distributing them to the audience. “That way, producers will get money and you will get your votes,” the director wrote with a tinge of sarcasm.

Since the government has been claiming that the decision will help the poor access entertainment at “affordable” rates, RGV said, “Administered price is brought into force only when a specific situation arises. What specific issues do you see in the present scenario?”

In a TV debate, RGV earlier said that the YCP government just doesn’t understand cinema. “If a big hero receives a high amount of remuneration, it’s because of his brand. How can it be called exploitation? If YCP won 150 Assembly seats, does it mean the party exploited the people’s support?”