The Andhra Pradesh government has officially cleared a temporary ticket price hike for Kannappa, starring Vishnu Manchu. As per the latest order issued on June 25, theatres across the state can increase higher-class ticket rates by up to ₹50 plus GST in both multiplexes and single screens for ten days, starting from the film’s release on June 27, 2025.
The request for the hike came from veteran producer M. Mohan Babu on behalf of Twenty Four Frames Factory Pvt. Ltd., and it was endorsed by the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce. This marks yet another film joining the growing list of releases enjoying ticket hikes in the state, a trend that’s slowly becoming the new norm in Andhra Pradesh.
Earlier this month, Sekhar Kammula’s social thriller Kuberaa received a ₹75 ticket hike, and positive word of mouth helped it convert that into a strong box office opening. But not every film has been that lucky. Earlier this year, Robinhood too managed to secure a similar hike, but with weak content and poor reviews, the increased prices did little to attract audiences to theatres.
Kannappa is undoubtedly a big-ticket film in terms of scale and ambition. The mythological epic, based on the legendary devotee of Lord Shiva, has been mounted on a lavish budget with extensive VFX, exotic locations, and a star-studded cast including Mohanlal, Prabhas, Akshay Kumar and Kajal Aggarwal.
But the question remains: does Kannappa really need a price hike at this stage? While expectations are respectable, the film hasn’t yet generated the kind of massive, aggressive pre-release buzz seen for typical commercial blockbusters. Industry circles feel the government’s growing willingness to permit hikes for every other big or mid-scale film could slowly alienate price-sensitive sections of the audience, especially in towns and smaller centres.
For now, the ten-day hike might help Kannappa gain an initial advantage at the box office. But as seen with recent releases, the real test lies in audience reception. With the film set to hit screens in a few hours, the content will ultimately decide whether this move pays off or adds to the growing debate over the ticket pricing trend in the state.
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