Exhibitors loot viewers by selling tickets in black

Undoubtedly, viewers of recent big-ticket films like ‘Paisa Vasool’, ‘Arjun Reddy’ and ‘Fidaa’ would have coughed up more to watch films of their favourite stars. With an unholy syndicate of exhibitors-black market thugs-local politicians selling tickets of Rs 30 and Rs 100 for Rs 200 and Rs 500 for the first three days, the fleecing of viewers is going on unabated in two Telugu states, as police and tax officials concerned turn a blind eye.

Few years ago, we used to see some thugs selling tickets in black market outside a city theatre but now it has become official in more than 1,000-odd theaters across TS and AP. It is done almost across the counter, under the nose of tax officials and causing loss of hundreds of crore to government exchequers.

“Don’t call them exhibitors, they are lessees who have control over 1,000-odd theatres in both the states who indulge in such malpractice and loot gullible viewers to fill their large pockets,' laments producer N Padmini, vice-chairman, Producers Sector, Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce. She reveals that 'ticket auction' is conducted prior to release of every superstar film in 40-odd districts in both the states.

"For instance, a theatre with 500 seating capacity with unofficial ticket price of Rs 200, would fix a base price of Rs. 1,00,000 per show. Now bidders would hike the price depending on popularity of the star and it would go up to Rs 1,50,000 or even Rs. 2,00,000. In turn, these black market guys sell those tickets at Rs. 200 or 300 per head to recover their investment and brutally exploit star-crazy viewers,’ she adds.

However, while remitting entertainment tax per ticket, they would calculate it on original ticket rate and rest of 8 to 10 times of excess money earned goes into the pockets of a few individuals. "This ill-gotten loot is shared by rich-lessees, black market thugs and local politicians, while police and tax officials look the other way. It is high time, governments wake up from the slumber and put an end to this day-light robbery,' alleges producer C N Rao.

Until,the state governments take severe action against these looters, fans of Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Pawan Kalyan, Mahesh Babu and jr NTR and others will be the big sufferers. 'For die-hard fans, there is nothing like watching 'first day first show' of their favourite stars and don't mind paying any price.

That doesn't mean that police and the officials concerned should keep quiet, rather they should form action teams to curb this auctioning practice and ensure genuine online booking and tickets to people who stand in long queues. Or else, lessees will rob off, the only source of entertainment for poor masses, students, villagers and small-time workers who have to spend their one-day earning for one ticket, which no other state government will allow,' concludes producer Radha Rajeswari.