Cinema Business Is Becoming Impossible For Theatre Owners

The discussion about ticket prices and theatre problems is becoming very serious in Telangana. Single screen theatre owners are now openly saying that they are facing huge losses even when big movies are running successfully.

For many years, exhibitors in Telangana have been asking producers and distributors to change the rental system. They want a percentage system instead of fixed rents. According to theatre owners, the current system is giving them very little income. They say the lands where theatres are located are very valuable, and they could earn much more money if they used those places for other businesses.

Still, many exhibitors are continuing theatres only because of their love for cinema. They feel producers and distributors are not treating them fairly. Theatre owners say the percentage method is better because everyone can share profits based on the actual collections of the movie.

Recently, several exhibitors including Asian Suniel and SVC Sirish attended a press meet and strongly supported this demand. They clearly said that if the percentage system is not implemented, they may stop giving theatres for movie releases.

During the press meet, Asian Suniel shared one shocking example. He said a big film had a special midnight show with ticket prices around Rs.400. Through that single show, the distributor reportedly earned nearly Rs.4 lakh. But the theatre owner received only around Rs.10,000 from it.

Suniel also said even that small amount sometimes goes towards police permissions and other expenses. He questioned how theatre owners could survive in such situations. According to him, exhibitors are forced to run these special shows because otherwise distributors may not allow regular screenings in their theatres.

The exhibitors also announced that even if the government gives permission, they do not want to increase ticket prices anymore in single screen theatres. Suniel said high ticket prices and expensive food items are the main reasons audiences are staying away from theatres.

He explained that some multiplexes are charging up to Rs.400 for regular films and selling popcorn at very high prices. According to him, cinema lovers are slowly avoiding theatres because movie watching has become too expensive for common people.