Vijay Deverakonda has made a public pledge: no ticket hikes for his future films. The announcement, dropped on Thursday morning via social media, comes amid growing backlash over rising theatre prices across Telugu states. While governments in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have backed recent increases, audiences are pushing back — especially after box office successes like Irumudi proved that strong content can draw crowds without price jacking. 

Mythri Movie Makers, the production house behind Ranabaali, confirmed they’ll release the film without any hike. That’s not just policy, it’s positioning. The film, starring Deverakonda alongside Rashmika Mandanna and Rahul Sankrityan, is already generating buzz with its official Hindi and Telugu trailers out and streaming platforms preparing for a wide rollout. 

Deverakonda’s statement isn’t a full veto. He acknowledged that producers bear the financial risk and may still seek hikes for some projects. But he’s drawing a line: his name won’t be attached to inflated ticket prices going forward. It’s a rare move in an industry where star power often aligns with commercial pragmatism. 

The reaction? Mixed. Some fans hailed it as a stand against exploitation. Others questioned if one actor’s word can override studio economics. A few even joked about accidentally booking tickets for a movie called 2 Baththa. 

What happens next? Ranabaali releases this Friday. If it hits theatres without a hike. And draws crowds, the message might land louder than the pledge itself.