Theatres effect huge hike in ticket prices

Hyderabad: The cinegoers had to cough up more money to watch 'Maharshi.' Ravi who went to Sandhya Theatre says, "The normal rate for a ticket is between Rs 80 and Rs 110 but the price was hiked to Rs 125. Since I came so far, I paid the extra amount."

"Heroes and producers are doing black marketing which is the main reason for increase in ticket price. It should be reduced keeping in view the interests of common man," says Poorna Chandra Rao, president of Cinegoers Rights Protection Association.

People from the film fraternity blame pirated prints for the present state of affairs. Prints are released within a day after the release. Producers increase fare to get rid of the loss from piracy whereas people stick to piracy to get avoid paying increased prices at theatres.

"The major cause of increase in price is because of people who release piracy prints within one or two days. This piracy is forcing producers to collect money as early as possible," says Karri Srinivas, a film producer.

"My family and I used to spend just Rs 200 but now it costs Rs 700-1000. So we prefer to watch at home," says Prasad, the owner of Alfa Tiffin. "I work for films in direction department. I never used to watch pirated copies as I also belong to same field. But now I am downloading from several sites as I can't afford to go to a theatre," says Dhanunjay, an assistant director.

"In spite of many instructions from police and cinema persons, people who are asking for pirated copies are on the rise. This is surely because of the abnormal increase in prices," says Ravi Kumar of Soundarya mobile and D V D zone. He further added, "Piracy will be reduced only when the ticket rates are reduced."