Hrithik Roshan

Another week arrives with two big releases – Coolie and War 2. Both are dubbed movies headlined by popular stars who need no introduction. Both are releasing on the same day, August 14, 2025. With just two days left, there is still no sign of ticket bookings in Tollywood.

The distributors of these movies are waiting for government approval to hike ticket prices. Once the official order is released, bookings will open. But are Telugu audiences ready to spend around Rs. 100–200 more than the current ticket prices? They will have to if they want to watch these two films in theatres.

Yes, the ticket prices are expected to be extremely high for these two dubbed movies. For example, watching Coolie in a multiplex could cost around Rs. 400. This is a big amount for Telugu audiences, and what’s more shocking is that the proposed prices here are actually higher than in the movies’ original markets. Coolie in Tamil Nadu and War 2 in North India are both cheaper than the planned prices in AP and TS.

Those applying for the ticket price hikes are the same people who lecture, “Save Cinema, Save Telugu Film Industry.” TFI movie lovers are expressing their outrage on social media, calling out the so-called bigwigs for turning cinema into a luxury product instead of affordable entertainment.

How the governments and respective ministers will handle the heat alongside producers is still unclear. Whatever the decision, these new steps risk making audiences turn to OTT instead of theatres.