Hyderabad, June 30 -- Tollywood actor Mahesh Babu owned AMB Cinemas, is among seven theatres asked to deposit Rs 1.7 crore by the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) into the state and central Consumer Welfare Funds for failing to pass on the benefit of GST rate reductions to moviegoers.

The tribunal observed that the theatres retained tax benefits by not reducing ticket prices after GST rates on movie tickets were cut with effect from January 1, 2019.

According to a report by The Times of India, AMB Cinemas has been asked to pay Rs 35 lakh. As per the latest order issued on June 11, Vishwanath Cinema Hall in Hyderabad has been asked to deposit Rs 8.9 lakh.

The other theatres covered by the GSTAT orders include ASR Cinema...