Exorbitant ticket rates distancing cinema from common man

The much-hyped ticket rate for recent release 'Maharshi', has again brought the issue of- hiking ticket rates of star movies for the first three days- back into the spotlight. A majority of distributors believe that unnecessary ticket hike with the support of a Court order is distancing cinema from common man.

"Not only 'Maharshi', tickets of all star movies are hiked by six to seven times more to fleece fans of respective superstars, poor masses, rickhawallahs, daily wage earners and students in the first three days.

To show it as record breaking opening collections of superstars but unfortunately it is at the cost of common man," laments distributor Ramu and adds "The dangerous multi-faceted role of a producer, who is also distributor and exhibitor, is making the life miserable for cinegoers.

The excess money looted is going into pockets of few rich lessees and as remuneration for superstars and top-league technicians, by emptying the pockets of gullible movie buffs ,"

Another distributor Srinivas of Guntur adds, "Some exhibitors also conduct black market auction and make huge money through illegal means. The lessees make tons of money in canteen sales by selling snacks and drinks at exorbitant rates, due to lack of proper checks.

With GST regime yet to get into shape and lacking vigilance teams, lessees are fudging figures and paying less tax to the government. One side they are fleecing viewers and on the other taking government institutions for a ride," he adds.

The digital screenings of new films after 45 days, has further dented the footfalls at theatres, says distributor Ramakrishna, "Now families and ladies are waiting for the digital release and lost interest to visit a theatre on weekends, like in the past to save money which further reduced the footfalls at theatres,' he adds.

But the viewers are not going to get any relief in near future, with more than 1,000-odd theatres across TS and AP are reportedly run by lessees. "It is a peculiar situation in two Telugu states as lessees dictate terms.

They demand producer and distributor to get 'ticket hike' order from Court, otherwise they will not give their theatres, which is unfair practice," says distributor Bharat Bhushan, who reminds the recent GST order which reduced 28% to 18% for a ticket above Rs 100 and 18% to 12% for ticket below Rs 100, but it is not being properly implemented. "The Central govt wanted this benefit to be transferred to film viewers but exhibitors haven't done it yet. Many exhibitors are reluctant to install CC cameras inside theatres because it will expose their misdeeds," adds Ramakrishna.

Summing up the unhealthy trend, distributor Trinath suggests online ticketing to curb ticket rate hike. "Barring multiplexes, hundreds of theatres are not issuing tickets online," he says. While distributor Venkateswar Rao adds, "Vexed by the monopolistic attitude of T-town biggies, a senior producer has readied a complaint to be lodged with Competitive Commission of India (CCI) about 57 companies and 9 individuals to end their hegemony and make film industry a level-playing field."