The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Vijayawada News : Film exhibitors adopt wait and watch attitude

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 08, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada

Film exhibitors adopt wait and watch attitude

By Our Staff Reporter

VIJAYAWADA, APRIL 7. With the recent GO on the scrapping of the slab system being unclear in suggesting new rates of admission, film exhibitors in the city have decided to adopt a wait and watch approach on their future plans in this regard.

Though there was some euphoria after issuance of the GO No 175 recently, exhibitors could not immediately proceed with their plans in view of perceived ambiguity regarding the rates of admission. The Film Chamber leaders took the issue to the notice of the Government and expected to make a breakthrough.

Stumbling block

The development came as a stumbling block for exhibitors, who were preparing to follow the new system from this Friday itself and who would not be able to do so for the next one week. Weekly transactions pertaining to the taxation on films traditionally begin on every Friday and their closure effected on every Thursday.

Having gone through recent developments, exhibitors felt that the new rates of admission along with slab system might come into effect exactly a week later.

The GO, which was dated 2-4-2005, was received by exhibitors only on April 4. It had mentioned that the highest rate of admission should not be more than Rs 40 across the State. What came a surprise to exhibitors was that the GO stated vaguely that the rates should have to be cut down by 30 per cent. "There is no clarity to which city this is being applied. We are not able to take a decision. New rates will come only after a clarification is made from the Government side," said R.V. Bhupal Prasad, Secretary, Krishna District Film Distributors Association and also the proprietor of Navrang Theatre.

Tickets high

It was clear that the rates had been on the higher side in Hyderabad and Secunderabad, with the price of the highest circle put at nearly Rs 70. There would have to be more than 30 per cent reduction in rates of highest class in the twin cities as per the GO's suggestion of Rs 40 maximum rate.

Exhibitors in the city felt that it would not be practicable to cut down rates uniformly by 30 per cent across the State and added that the GO had no such mention. It would be much more difficult with regard to Vijayawada with the highest rate here being Rs 40. "Almost all theatres charge Rs 40 for the highest circle. There is only one theatre which charges Rs 45 that too for sofa type seating arrangement," a film exhibitor said.

According to sources, changes in rates are expected to be at city theatres also though not on a par with the State capital. Viewers of balcony and first class may expect a big relief with rates in these circles expected to be reduced by Rs 5 to Rs 10. The current prices for the four types of classes: balcony - Rs 40, first class - Rs 30, second class - Rs 20 and third class - Rs 10.

Prior to introduction of slab system 1984, the price structure was very low: balcony - Rs 4.50, first class - Rs 3.25, second class - Rs 2.50 and third class - Rs 1.50.

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