Days before the release of Buchi Babu Sana’s Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor-starrer Peddi on June 4, the exhibitors and producers of Tollywood were feuding over the revenue model of films. The Telangana Exhibitors Association stood firm on percentage-sharing for all future releases, but the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) wanted time.
Two weeks after the film’s release, producer Venkata Satish Kilaru of Vriddhi Cinemas claims decisions about the film were made without his knowledge as it grosses over ₹300 crore worldwide.
Exhibitors have remained firm that they will allow future Telugu films to be released only if producers agree to a percentage-sharing agreement rather than the rental basis, which is the norm now. They have also stated that film ticket prices should not be hiked.
A letter dated May 27 by the TFCC informed Venkata that a meeting between producers, distributors and exhibitors was held on May 15 where it was decided on a percentage sharing system.
A sub-committee was consequently formed with 21 members who discussed and approved some decisions regarding Peddi on May 26. The letter stated that the above model will apply to Telangana if the price is hiked.
Peddi’s producer was asked to follow the model as the AP government had permitted ticket hikes for the film.
However, in a letter dated June 13, the producer stated that he wasn’t present at the May 15 meeting and hadn’t received an intimation or invitation from the trade body to attend the meeting regarding Peddi.
According to the trade website Sacnilk, Peddi has grossed ₹317.12 crore worldwide in 13 days of its release. The filmmakers claim that it grossed ₹400 crore worldwide in 14 days.
