The Hyderabad police arrested 21 people on Friday for allegedly selling tickets of Baahubali: The Conclusion, in black.
PTI reported that the Cyberabad police arrested seven people from three theatres, including a theatre owner for selling tickets at a higher price than the MRP.
“At Indra Nagendra theatre in Saroornagar, one employee was found with 117 tickets. Without the knowledge of the owner, he cannot procure so many tickets. We have booked both the persons,” SOT Inspector K Narsing Rao told Deccan Chronicle.
Another 14 people were arrested under the Rachakonda Commissionerate limits.
All of those who were arrested, were reportedly booked under the AP Cinemas (Regulation) Act and Hyderabad City Police Act.
The Telangana government has warned of stern action against theatre owners in the state, who were collecting 'higher amounts than the notified ticket rates', for the release of new movies.
This comes after reports that some tickets of Baahubali: The Conclusion were being sold for as high as Rs 5,000.
A press release by the Commercial Taxes department last week, stated that any hike in ticket price would be a direct violation of the Telangana Entertainment Tax Act.
"It is hereby informed that all theatre owners collect the notified rates of ticket and pay Entertainment Tax on sale of all those tickets sold," the release added.
It also said that members of the public could lodge a complaint on any violations on a toll-free number 1800 4253 787.
Meanwhile, Baahubali 2 opened to a massive worldwide release on Friday.
Directed by SS Rajamouli, the two-part series has been shot over five years and has broken several records. The first film was recently re-released.
Made on a budget of over Rs 200 crore, Baahubali stars Prabhas, Anushka Shetty, Tammannah, Rana Daggubati, Sathyaraj, Nasser, and Ramya Krishnan among others. MM Keeravani has composed music for the film.