Strongly objecting to the demand for ban on screening of dubbed films, theatre owners and film exhibitors in the State have said this perception is not correct and the existence of theatres will face a threat if these films are not allowed.
They have totally opposed the idea floated by small producers, who want the dubbed films banned as they are posing problems to the Telugu film industry. The exhibitors maintain that a good number of dubbed films are being screened across the State, and their contribution to the sustenance of theatres is significant. Some people want higher taxing of dubbed films so that they are discouraged from dumping their produce on the viewers, affecting revenue inflow to the exchequer.
The hard feelings were expressed at the State-level meeting of the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Cine Exhibitors' Association held at the Film Chamber premises on Saturday. In all, 250 owners and exhibitors participated in the meeting, which was addressed by association president J.N. Chowdary, secretary R.V. Bhoopal Prasad, A.P. Film Chamber chairman Mutyala Ramesh, and Exhibitors' Sector Council chairman Harnatha Reddy.
Multiple screens
The exhibitors also made various decisions, which included the demand for reducing tax on dubbed films as well, besides continuing their screening. For the growth of theatres in the State, they wanted the government to permit them to use multiple screens on the lines of multiplexes in the face of increasing competition from the latter. In view of the fact that expenditures had risen while revenues fell, theatre owners and exhibitors sought collection of VAT only on ticket. The entertainment tax on both low and high-budget films should be scrapped in order to give a fillip to film viewing. The exhibitors also opposed the views that English films dubbed in Telugu should be banned. The exhibitors also wanted film producers to significantly enhance the quality of film making in view of the stiffening competition from other States and also abroad. Members of theatre owners and exhibitors' associations from Telangana, Andhra, and Rayalaseema regions took part in the meeting.
