Veteran producer Allu Aravind has stepped forward to clarify his position amid the brewing controversy over theatre operations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Speaking at a press meet on Sunday, he firmly distanced himself and his company from the so-called “Aa Naluguru” group — an informal label for four powerful industry figures accused of monopolizing decisions related to theatres.
Aravind made it clear that his company, Geetha Arts, currently holds minimal stakes in cinema exhibition. He revealed that apart from AAA theatre in Telangana, they no longer own any theatres in the region, and their lease agreements across Andhra Pradesh have expired. Out of approximately 1500 theatres in both states, Aravind said they operate just around 15, which are also soon to be handed over to new operators.
He strongly opposed the proposed theatre shutdown planned for June 1, which is intended to push a shift from rental-based agreements to a revenue-sharing model with distributors and producers. Aravind called the move “a wild misadventure,” especially as it could jeopardize the theatrical release of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s long-awaited film Hari Hara Veera Mallu, slated for June 12. Praising Kalyan’s support for the industry during difficult times, Aravind questioned the timing and logic behind shutting theatres just ahead of such a major release.
Addressing rumours about digital platform involvement, he clarified that neither he nor his associates have stakes in key digital cinema players like Qube India or UFO.
Aravind also criticized the recent exhibitors’ meeting, saying it failed to address several pressing industry issues. The controversy has since escalated, with Pawan Kalyan issuing an official press note condemning the threat of theatre closures, intensifying the ongoing dispute within the Telugu film industry.
