The Telangana High Court heard 4 petitions against shows like Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2: The Rule and Ram Charan’s Game Changer.
Pushpa 2 had a stampede situation in a theatre recently.
The premiere of Allu Arjun-starrer Pushpa 2: The Rule took a bad turn at Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad recently when there was a stampede-like situation. The stampede, which occurred at a prominent theatre in Hyderabad, left several moviegoers injured and raised serious concerns about crowd management and the safety of minors at late-night events. Witnesses reported chaotic scenes, leading to overcrowding and panic.
According to Live Law now, following this incident, the Telangana High Court has restricted entry for children in theatres before 11 am and after 11 pm. The decision comes after hearing four petitions against benefit shows for Pushpa 2 and Ram Charan-starrer Game Changer. The publication further mentions that the HC on Monday (January 27) ordered the state government and theatre managements to deny entry to children in theatres who are below the age of 16. They won’t be allowed to watch movies in the cinema aired before 11 am and after 11 pm.
The order was pronounced by Justice B Vijaysen Reddy while hearing two petitions – one was about the odd timings and the other about ticket enhancement for benefit shows in the state for Pushpa 2: The Rule and Game Changer. Authorities have been instructed to conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance. Violations may result in penalties, including temporary suspension of theatre licenses.
Judge B Vijaysen Reddy observed that “as per Licence Condition 12(43) in Form B Licence for Cinematograph Exhibition under the AP Cinema (Regulations) Rules, 1970, the licensee (theatre management) shall not allow any performance or exhibit any film by means of a cinematograph before 8:40 am or after 1:30 am. Children should not be permitted to watch movies during early hours and also during late nights.”
Additionally, the court has directed the Home Department’s Principal Secretary to take necessary action in this regard by consulting all stakeholders.
The stampede during Pushpa 2: The Rule had led to the death of a woman. Her young son was hospitalised in a critical state. Allu Arjun and the theatre management were arrested in the case. However, the actor is now out on bail.
