''ONLY WHEN A BIG FILM FAILS TO PERFORM, WE CAN BLAME GST"

Though we have many releases this week, the audiences are still hesitant to watch films at a hiked ticket rates. Last week registered a poor footfall in theatres. Is GST, the reason for the lackluster reception or is there any other reason?

Producer G Dhananjayagan took to his Twitter space to comment on the current trade issue, "Crazy situation with too many releases but too less Audience. Hope plenty of films releasing bring them back to theatres".

We got in touch with Ruban Mathivanan from GK Cinemas, Porur, to know what is the reason behind fewer footfalls for films over the past week post-GST.

"End of the day it is the exhibitor who fixes the ticket price. People only see ticket prices of multiplexes and say it is expensive. There are theatres in the city who charge movie tickets at comparatively less price, we have revised our ticket prices to Rs 118 (Rs.100 + 18% GST), but people feel the ticket prices are hiked referring only to the theatres who charge them at Rs 153 (Rs.120 + 28% GST). There is not much awareness about the non-hiking of ticket prices in many theatres. This has affected the occupancy on the weekdays more.

GST may be the main reason for the dip in footfalls but the content also is important. Only when we have poor occupancy for big films or they fail to perform being good, we can actually blame GST", concludes Ruban.