The Andhra Pradesh government has officially granted permission for special premiere shows and increased ticket rates for 'Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu', the highly anticipated Chiranjeevi-starrer set for a Sankranti 2026 release. This move is a significant boost for the film's producers, allowing them to capitalize on the festive season. The government order permits special premiere shows on January 11, from 8 PM to 10 PM, with tickets priced at ₹500 (including GST). Furthermore, for a period of ten days starting from its official release on January 12, ticket prices will see an increase of ₹100 (including GST) in single-screen cinemas and ₹125 (including GST) in multiplexes across Andhra Pradesh. The government has also allowed five shows per day during this period. 'Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu', directed by Anil Ravipudi, features Chiranjeevi in the lead role, with Nayanthara and Catherine Tresa as female leads and Victory Venkatesh in an extended cameo. The movie title itself holds special significance as 'Shankara Varaprasad' is Chiranjeevi's real name, generating considerable buzz among fans. In related developments, while the Andhra Pradesh government has provided relief, the situation regarding ticket price hikes in Telangana has been more complicated. Earlier, the Telangana High Court clarified that a previous single-judge order against ticket price increases did not apply to 'Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu' and 'The Raja Saab'. However, a subsequent ruling by the Telangana High Court on January 9, 2026, struck down a government memo that had authorized ticket price hikes for 'The Raja Saab', questioning the Home Department's authority in such matters. This suggests that similar permissions for 'Mana Shankara Varaprasad Garu' in Telangana might face legal hurdles, making the AP government's decision particularly crucial for the film's success.