Pushpa 2: The Rule has faced a major hurdle in Karnataka as the Kannada Film Producers Council (KFPC) successfully blocked its midnight and early morning screenings. The Council raised concerns over these special shows, arguing that they violated state regulations prohibiting screenings before 6 AM.
Acting on the KFPC’s complaints, the Bengaluru District Collector ordered the cancellation of approximately 80 midnight screenings of the film, leading to a significant loss for the makers. Early estimates suggest the ban on these shows could cost the film around ₹10 crores in opening-day revenue, as all tickets for the midnight screenings had been sold out in advance.
The KFPC’s objections also extend to the high ticket prices charged for these screenings. They argue that such practices put local Kannada films at a disadvantage in their own state. This move appears to be a response to how Telugu states previously welcomed KGF Chapter 2, a Kannada blockbuster, with early morning screenings, which the KFPC claims were not reciprocated fairly for Telugu films in Karnataka.
The cancellation comes just hours before the planned midnight shows, leaving the team behind Pushpa 2 scrambling. With screenings now restricted to start from 6 AM, fans in Karnataka will have to wait longer to watch Allu Arjun’s much-anticipated sequel.
This development not only impacts the film’s financial prospects but also raises broader questions about the growing tensions between regional film industries and the policies regulating theatrical releases.
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