Movies out of bounds for common people

Hyderabad: A ticket for the movie 'Maharshi' may burn a hole in your pocket. The prices at multiplexes are so high that it is almost not possible for the common man to take his family for a movie.

Even though Cinematography Minister Talsani Srinivas Yadav said no ticket prices can be increased without the government's knowledge, the truth of the matter is even the existing prices are beyond the reach of many.

Planning for a movie outing can cost a middle-class man his weekly salary, with the ticket price in multiplexes costing about Rs 150-200 for a regular seat and Rs 250-300 for each balcony/recliner/ royal seat.

Thus, it is difficult for a family of four to watch a movie without spending a minimum of Rs 1000-1500. In some cases, ticket prices also increase according to the movie. For example, if the movie has an immensely famous actor in it, the tickets are sold at higher prices.

Besides the movie tickets, the prices at the cafeteria in the multiplexes are also very high. Prices of some meal combos in these cafeterias range from Rs 500 to above Rs 1,000. A person has to spend a minimum of Rs 500 for a coke and a small pack of popcorn which hardly curb his hunger.

Meanwhile, single screen theatres which sell tickets for Rs 80 for regular and Rs 110 for balcony, are disappearing rapidly. Some of the theatres that have been shut down permanently are Shalimar Theatre in Basheerbagh, Zamrud Theatre in Abids, Deepak Theatre in Narayanaguda and Sudarshan Theatre at RTC X Roads. Movies are no longer about just watching on a film on screen, but it has become a way of lifestyle.

"When I was young, my father took my three siblings, my mother and I to a film with just five rupees. Now when I take my family, I never spend more than 200 rupees. Both these cases involved snacks in the interval and sometimes ice cream on our way back home," says Sagar 68, speaking on the increase of prices, "But now the money I spent on my whole family is something my children spend on one ticket."

"I think the price was acceptable till it was 150 per ticket, but now that the ticket price is growing rapidly, I no longer think that cinema is just entertainment, it's become a luxury," says Shivani, a movie-goer.

By Maina Manga