Due to low turnout and no promising Telugu films, single screens in Telangana to remain closed for two weeks Photo Credit: Periyasamy M

Summer is essentially the time when film lovers expect to see many high profile Telugu films releasing in theaters as production houses line up star-led films to cash in on the holiday season. The summer of 2024 has proven to be a damp squib with only one blockbuster so far, Tillu Square, Other small and medium budget films failed to draw crowds and so did the much awaited big budget film Kalki 2898E Its release has been postponed to avoid the election season, drawing low viewership in both single screens and multiplexes.

Around 450 single-screen cinema theaters in Telangana have decided to close for 10 to 15 days from May 15. Telangana Film Exhibitors Association president Vijayender Reddy has said that to recover from losses, single screens in the state have decided not to show films individually. In a statement to the media, he explained that the operating expenses of single-screen theaters in smaller centers range from ₹10,000 to ₹12,000, while in cities like Hyderabad, the expenses range between ₹15,000 and ₹18,000 per day. With films failing to attract audiences, he said the revenue has dropped to less than ₹4,000 per day. He said that if the theater remains closed it is likely to suffer a loss of around ₹4,000 per day, but if a movie is shown it will suffer a loss of ₹6,000.

Vijayender Reddy said theater owners would be willing to screen films if a producer comes forward and makes advance payment as minimum guarantee.

Only Telugu movies released on 10th May Krishnamma Some films managed to attract audiences in the opening week representative 2 And Aarambham Got a lackluster response. The name of the film to be released on 17th May is Raju Yadav, starring Getup Srinu. That same day, Baahubali: Crown of Blood The animation series will start streaming on Disney+Hotstar.

Some medium budget films including those starring Vishwak Sen Gangs of Godavari And Satyabhama The Kajal Aggarwal starrer is scheduled to hit the theaters on May 31.