The Telangana High Court on Wednesday intervened in a controversial decision of the state government permitting a steep hike in movie ticket prices for the Telugu film Ojas Gambheera, popularly known as They Call Him OG. Justice N.V. Shravan Kumar suspended the government's executive order that allowed ₹800 tickets for a special premiere show and higher-than-permitted rates for subsequent screenings.
Background
The case was brought by petitioner Barla Mallesh Yadav, represented by advocate Vijay Gopal, who challenged a Home Department memo dated September 19, 2025. The memo had authorized DW Entertainments to screen the film at ₹800 per ticket for the 9 pm show on September 24, and continue charging increased prices until October 4.
The petitioner argued that the state lacked the legal authority to pass such an order, since cinema ticket pricing falls under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Police as per the Andhra Pradesh Cinemas (Regulation) Act, 1955. He cited G.O. Ms. No.120 (2021), which fixed maximum admission rates and mandated strict compliance.
"The memo is not just arbitrary but without legal competence," counsel submitted, pressing that the government had bypassed both statutory rules and earlier High Court directions.
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Court's Observations
Justice Shravan Kumar carefully examined the record and noted that the Division Bench in 2021 had already directed the state to strictly follow the pricing norms set under G.O. 120. Referring to the law, the court emphasized that the licensing authority empowered to fix rates in Hyderabad is the Commissioner of Police, not the Principal Secretary of the Home Department.
On the petitioner's plea regarding film certification, the court also took note of the CBFC’s "A" rating for OG.
The bench observed, "When a film is certified as adult-only, the authorities must ensure no minor is admitted, and compliance cannot be left to chance."
Meanwhile, the government pleader contended that the petitioner had an alternative remedy of appeal under Section 7 of the Cinemas Act and questioned the maintainability of the writ petition. However, the court appeared unconvinced, pointing out that the impugned order itself raised questions of jurisdiction and legality.
Decision
After weighing submissions, the High Court suspended the Home Department’s memo dated September 19, 2025. The Commissioner of Police was specifically directed to ensure that only persons above 18 years enter the screenings, strictly in line with the CBFC certification.
The case has now been posted for further hearing on October 9, 2025. Until then, the state government’s special ticket pricing order will remain under suspension.
Case Title: Barla Mallesh Yadav vs. State of Telangana & Others
Case No.: Writ Petition No. 29214 of 2025
