Producer S.R.Prabhu of Dream Warrior Pictures and Potential Studios, had posted a note on his social media forum, explaining about the current theatre ticket price hike.
He said, "At this juncture when people are bashing Tamil cinema industry for theatrical ticket price hike, I thought of posting this note to clarify and explain this whole issue. Those who have patience and interest can read and realize.
Though the industry has been requesting the Government to increase the base ticket price, it had been a long pending issue. Would public lose faith in Government, if they increase the theatre ticket prices? When the prices of rice, wheat, grain, milk, egg, is on a constant rise, people don't complain about it. They shut their mouth and buy those products. But, when the government increases 25% ticket rates, after 10 years, people lose their minds, and start to say, "we will see the film on pirated sites." I feel like telling those people to steal rice and dal from the departmental store, and consume it.
Theatre owners requested the Government to increase the base ticket rates, a few years back, and with no positive response from Govt, the theatre owners also informed that they would sell the tickets in black, for financial reasons. They requested the Government to officially increase the rates, but the Govt told that they would allow the theatre owners to increase the ticket prices, as they wish, for new releases, for the first two weeks. They also told that they wouldn't monitor the price increase. The theatre owners also didn't foresee the future problems and agreed to what Government had said. From that time, theatre owners have been increasing ticket rates, according to each film, and its star value.
The confusion started when the Govt announced that they need local body entertainment tax. We ran to the Government and asked what happened to our ticket price increase request, they told they will increase the rates by 25%. Now, everyone are talking about keeping out cinema, due to 150 + GST + booking charges.
Out of the 1150 theatres in Tamil Nadu, only 10% of the theatres are multiplexes, which can keep rates at 150. In the remaining theatres, 30% of them will have to sell at 70 rupees base price, and the remaining 60% will have to sell the tickets at 25 Rupees. 10% entertainment tax is inclusive in these base ticket prices.
Tasmac shops, run by Government is selling a 128 ml Brandy at the same rate, in panchayats, village shops, and at taluks. But why, is there a partiality given for the multiplexes, when it is the same content that is played through in all theatres? It is the same cement, in which all theatres were built, and it is the same current connection that flows through for all theatres. Why is there a difference for each area and each type of theatre? How will we make people understand about this problem? The coming days is going to be a fun-filled emotional ride for everyone in the state. A lot more interesting stories are on the way. Will try my best to explain it."