Theatre owners fleece movie-goers

Vijayawada: Owners of cinema theatres in the city are fleecing movie-goers by charging more than the actual ticket price. For a ticket priced at Rs 90, a theatre at Gandhinagar is collecting Rs 118 per head for a latest release 'Jai Lava Kusa'. The price variation in ticket is not limited to one theatre. The ticket for new release 'Spider' is Rs 200 in a big screen theatre. Almost all theatres in the heart of city have been charging more for any show.

Highlights:

• A famous theatre hiked balcony ticket by Rs 60 making the ticket cost Rs 150 for the show 'Spider'
• While the actual price of other classes are Rs 50, Rs 60 and Rs 70 for show there charged at Rs 60, Rs 70 and Rs 100 respectively
• The price of tickets soars to new heights at the time of Navaratri festivities

A famous theatre hiked balcony ticket by Rs 60 making the ticket cost Rs 150 for the show 'Spider'. While the actual price of other classes are Rs 50, Rs 60 and Rs 70 for show there charged at Rs 60, Rs 70 and Rs 100 respectively.

The price of tickets soar to new heights at the time of Navaratri festivities which were held for nine days. People from across the state would visit for 'darshan' of presiding deity Goddess Durga atop Indrakeeladri. The number of visitors at temples has increased during last three days.

It is natural that pilgrims coming to the city would like to visit places of interest. In Vijayawada, films are the main source of entertainment. Even the police, who are on 'bandobust' duty, want some leisure. Apart from them, children in the city like to watch movies as they want to extract maximum fun out of holidays.

Hence, they have been making a difference in the number of movie-goers. Almost all the cinemas have been running house full. Irrespective of facilities provided to audience, the theatres have been making hay when the sun shines. There is no reasoning in increased prices of cinema tickets.

Not only tickets, but also eateries and soft drinks available in theatres are being sold more than MRP. "It is nothing but exploitation of movie-goers by theatre managements. We don't know whom to complaint regarding the fleecing at cinemas," said M Srinivasulu, a pilgrim who came from Kakinada.

However, MRO Siva Rao clarified that the government has given permission for Rs 50 extra collection for 'Spider' movie only.
However, big screens also deciding ticket price without notice to audience. The people, who came to the city from different districts, have been amazed by the looting techniques of the managements of the cinema theatres.

By Noor Shaik