Sankranthi 2024: Major Telugu Releases Face Setback with Ban on Benefit Shows in Telangana

The upcoming Sankranthi season is gearing up to feature some of the biggest Telugu releases, including Ram Charan’s Game Changer, Venkatesh’s Sankranthiki Vasthunam, and Balakrishna’s Daaku Maharaaj. With massive fan anticipation and extensive promotional efforts, these films are expected to make a significant impact at the box office.

However, a new regulation by Telangana’s Cinematography Minister, Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, has posed a major challenge. Following the tragic stampede at the Pushpa 2 premiere at Sandhya 70mm in Hyderabad, which resulted in two fatalities, the minister has announced a ban on benefit shows in the Nizam region.

This decision means early screenings, a long-standing tradition eagerly awaited by fans to catch films before their official release, will no longer be permitted. These benefit shows often generate immense excitement but have also raised safety concerns in the past.

For producers, the absence of benefit shows is expected to affect opening-day collections, while fans are disappointed by the loss of this unique experience.

This regulation has reshaped the premiere landscape in Telangana. Whether the government will reconsider its decision remains to be seen. Stay tuned for further developments as the Sankranthi season approaches.