The Telangana Exhibitors Association, under the aegis of the Telangana Film Chamber, has urged Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao to help the exhibition sector in the State tide over the current crisis. While a part of its problems have everything to do with the pandemic-induced slowdown in 2020, a major chunk of the difficulties faced by single screens has something to do with the toning down of parking fees at theatres.

The Exhibitors Association, representing 400 theatres, has urged the KCR government to relax parking norms so that theatres can make money and sustain themselves in the business. Those in the sector would tell you that parking fees must be high enough to cover maintenance and other costs. Since most theatres don't run to full capacity on most days, they depend on the food business and parking fees to cover their investments.

Last November, ahead of the GHMC polls, the TRS manifesto promised the waiver of the electricity bill for theatres during the shutdown phase. Theatre owners want the promise to be implemented at the earliest.

They also want flexible ticket pricing to be relaxed further so that they can capitalize on big-ticket and big-star movies.