Blab Entertainment
Telugu Stars Push Theatre Ownership, Multiplexes Seen as Future of Cinema
When a Telugu superstar talks about owning a theatre, it’s not just a vanity project—it’s a blueprint for where the industry is headed. Producer‑director Madhura Sreedhar Reddy recently urged more Tollywood icons to step into the exhibition business, warning that single‑screen houses could vanish in five years as multiplexes take over.
In a candid interview with the Deccan Chronicle, Sreedhar said the pride that comes with owning a cinema is a powerful incentive for actors such as Mahesh Babu, Venkatesh, Allu Arjun, Ravi Teja and Vijay Deverakonda. He added, “Telugu stars feel proud of owning theatres as it gives them a different feel,” noting that even high‑profile actors like Rajinikanth and Shah Rukh Khan lack this advantage.
The director pointed out that Telugu audiences have long favoured well‑maintained theatres, but a 250‑to‑300‑seat multiplex is becoming the next big draw for young people and families. By contrast, single‑screen venues that seat 700 to 1,000 patrons are struggling to fill seats, making upkeep increasingly difficult.
According to the interview, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana together host roughly 1,500 theatres. Sreedhar called on the industry to add more screens and praised producer Suniel Narang for building a “healthy ecosystem” in exhibition. He highlighted Narang’s role in bringing the stars into the theatre business and noted that the brand value of these multiplexes is high, attracting crowds because of the superior viewing experience.
When asked about the steep prices of soft drinks and other concessions in multiplexes, Sreedhar said the issue needs to be addressed. He also highlighted the advantages of modern venues: multilingual options, better sound and lighting, and an overall superior experience.
A single‑screen owner interviewed for the piece offered a contrasting view. He said that single‑screen venues will remain “forever because of fan festivities, cut‑outs and milk abhishekams.” He argued that such celebrations are a key part of the fan experience that multiplexes cannot replicate.
Sreedhar also cited the record response to re‑releases of films featuring Chiranjeevi, Mahesh Babu, Jr NTR and Prabhas. He said that box‑office collections from single‑screen theatres can never be replaced and that they will always remain a matter of pride for Telugu stars and their fans.
He concluded that re‑releases have given the theatre business a fresh lease of life. “Re‑releases of star movies have revived our hopes and encouraged us to screen more films,” he said. He added that the industry was worried audiences were skipping theatres for digital platforms, but big stars brought crowds back and gave single‑screen theatres new life.
The comments arrive at a time when Tollywood is the largest Indian film industry in ticket sales. In 2022, Telugu films sold 23.3 crore (233 million) tickets, the highest figure among all Indian cinemas. The industry has also seen a surge in multiplex development, especially in urban centres, while many smaller towns still rely on single‑screen venues.
Sreedhar’s remarks underscore a broader debate within the Telugu cinema community about the future of exhibition. While multiplexes offer modern amenities and a more comfortable viewing environment, single‑screen theatres continue to play a cultural role in fan celebrations and nostalgia for classic films.
Industry observers will now watch how the push for star‑owned multiplexes and the continued popularity of re‑releases shape the exhibition landscape in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana over the next few years.
In a candid interview with the Deccan Chronicle, Sreedhar said the pride that comes with owning a cinema is a powerful incentive for actors such as Mahesh Babu, Venkatesh, Allu Arjun, Ravi Teja and Vijay Deverakonda. He added, “Telugu stars feel proud of owning theatres as it gives them a different feel,” noting that even high‑profile actors like Rajinikanth and Shah Rukh Khan lack this advantage.
The director pointed out that Telugu audiences have long favoured well‑maintained theatres, but a 250‑to‑300‑seat multiplex is becoming the next big draw for young people and families. By contrast, single‑screen venues that seat 700 to 1,000 patrons are struggling to fill seats, making upkeep increasingly difficult.
According to the interview, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana together host roughly 1,500 theatres. Sreedhar called on the industry to add more screens and praised producer Suniel Narang for building a “healthy ecosystem” in exhibition. He highlighted Narang’s role in bringing the stars into the theatre business and noted that the brand value of these multiplexes is high, attracting crowds because of the superior viewing experience.
When asked about the steep prices of soft drinks and other concessions in multiplexes, Sreedhar said the issue needs to be addressed. He also highlighted the advantages of modern venues: multilingual options, better sound and lighting, and an overall superior experience.
A single‑screen owner interviewed for the piece offered a contrasting view. He said that single‑screen venues will remain “forever because of fan festivities, cut‑outs and milk abhishekams.” He argued that such celebrations are a key part of the fan experience that multiplexes cannot replicate.
Sreedhar also cited the record response to re‑releases of films featuring Chiranjeevi, Mahesh Babu, Jr NTR and Prabhas. He said that box‑office collections from single‑screen theatres can never be replaced and that they will always remain a matter of pride for Telugu stars and their fans.
He concluded that re‑releases have given the theatre business a fresh lease of life. “Re‑releases of star movies have revived our hopes and encouraged us to screen more films,” he said. He added that the industry was worried audiences were skipping theatres for digital platforms, but big stars brought crowds back and gave single‑screen theatres new life.
The comments arrive at a time when Tollywood is the largest Indian film industry in ticket sales. In 2022, Telugu films sold 23.3 crore (233 million) tickets, the highest figure among all Indian cinemas. The industry has also seen a surge in multiplex development, especially in urban centres, while many smaller towns still rely on single‑screen venues.
Sreedhar’s remarks underscore a broader debate within the Telugu cinema community about the future of exhibition. While multiplexes offer modern amenities and a more comfortable viewing environment, single‑screen theatres continue to play a cultural role in fan celebrations and nostalgia for classic films.
Industry observers will now watch how the push for star‑owned multiplexes and the continued popularity of re‑releases shape the exhibition landscape in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana over the next few years.
