Telugu Producers Fire Back at Exhibitors: 'Won't Feed Lessees' Says Naga Vamsi

The gloves are off in Tollywood's latest industry showdown. After Telangana exhibitors held their press meet demanding the percentage system, some of Telugu cinema's most active producers, Mythri Ravi Shankar, S Naga Vamsi, Sahu Garapati, Venkata Satish Kilaru, and Sudhakar Cherukuri, fired back with their own media interaction, and they didn't hold back.

The producers' message was clear: they're not against reasonable solutions, but they won't be blackmailed. "We're not making films to feed lessees," Naga Vamsi declared bluntly, taking direct aim at the lessee system that controls many single screens in Hyderabad. His frustration with exhibitors who profit from multiple revenue streams while crying poor was palpable.

Interestingly, the producers saved their sharpest criticism for Asian Suniel, calling out what they see as rank hypocrisy. Here's an exhibitor who demolished the iconic Satyam theatre to build AAA Cinemas, constructed over 300 multiplex screens, yet now champions single screen rights. "It's become a joke," the producers noted, when someone who's systematically replaced single screens with multiplexes suddenly becomes their advocate.

The producers aren't completely opposed to the percentage system, but they're demanding transparency first. No tracking systems in single screens? Fix that before we negotiate new terms, they insisted. They also want theatre grading: not all screens deserve the same revenue share when audience experiences vary dramatically.

With Ram Charan's much-anticipated film ready for release, the timing couldn't be more crucial. The producers warned that if this standoff continues, it might require Megastar Chiranjeevi's intervention: a scenario nobody wants during what should be a celebratory period for Telugu cinema.

The producers also highlighted a key point often missed in these debates: the real burden on audiences isn't just ticket prices, but the spiraling costs of popcorn and BookMyShow charges that exhibitors never discuss. Their stance seems reasonable: except for 4-5 big films annually, they're not seeking ticket hikes anyway.

With a comprehensive industry meeting scheduled for May 15th, all eyes are on whether cooler heads will prevail or if this war of words will escalate further.