The Telangana High Court in India has recently imposed new restrictions on cinema screenings in the state.

The court has banned children under the age of 16 from attending film screenings before 11 AM and after 11 PM, following a tragic incident during the screening of Pushpa 2: The Rule.

The unfortunate incident took place at Sandhya theatre on December 4, 2024, when a stampede resulted in the death of a woman. 

The tragedy led the court to take immediate action, directing both the state government and cinema management to enforce the new rules.

Prior to this, the state government had already prohibited shows between 1 AM and 8 AM, however, with the latest ruling, stricter regulations are now in place for special screening, with a clear focus on ensuring children’s safety during cinema visits. 

The court also expressed strong disapproval over the state government's approval of extra shows and higher ticket prices, emphasizing the need for responsible management in cinemas.