Strange are the ways of the Andhra Pradesh government headed by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who seem to have lopsided priorities in dealing with the issues concerning the people.
At a time when the farmers in the state are reeling under a crisis as the onion prices have crashed to 30 paise per kg in the agriculture market and tomatoes are fetching just one rupee a kg, the Naidu government has demonstrated where its priorities lie — by hiking cinema ticket prices for Jana Sena Party president and deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan’s upcoming film OG.
According to the latest government order, the Naidu government approved a ticket price of Rs 1,000 in select theatres for screening the benefit shows of Pawan Kalyan’s film, to be released on September 25.
This is apart from an additional hike of Rs 125 per ticket for single screens and Rs 150 for multiplexes, over and above the existing ticket rates.
The order will be in effect from September 25 to October 4, ensuring a “bumper opening” for the Deputy CM’s film.
For farmers, the irony is bitter. “We bring truckloads of onions to the market and return home with coins that can’t even buy a cinema snack,” said one distressed grower in Kurnool.
“Obviously, the government is more concerned about fetching profits for film makers, rather than providing a remunerative price for farmers,” he said.
Agricultural markets across the state are witnessing protests, with farmers lamenting the absence of minimum support prices for their produce.
Yet, the state machinery moved at lightning speed to support the Deputy CM’s box office debut.
Opposition leaders were quick to pounce on the development.
“It seems governance is about reel benefits to the rich producers, not real benefits to the poor farmers,” a YSRCP leader observed.
Analysts wonder whether this is a unique model where vegetables lose value while celluloid gains state protection.”
Social media users went further, suggesting a barter system: “One balcony ticket for OG = 1,000 kilos of onions.”
As Andhra Pradesh struggles with agrarian distress, the government’s enthusiastic intervention in cinema pricing has left many wondering: “In today’s AP, is the surest way to get remunerative support from the state to act in a movie instead of farming in the fields?”