Advertisement

CHENNAI: The new year is another 11 days away, but the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has already announced its first gift to the people: a hefty slash in cinema admission rates across the State.

Admission rates for premium seating during the first two weeks of much awaited movies in the city had headed skyward — from around Rs.60 to Rs.150 and more — after the earlier government relaxed the rules on admission rates. The DMK Government has cancelled this following representations from various quarters, says a release.

Now, the highest ticket fare in air-conditioned cinemas in corporation areas will be Rs. 50. The cheapest tickets will be priced at Rs. 10. For non air-conditioned halls, the highest entrance fee per seat will be Rs. 30 while the cheapest will come at Rs. 7. In municipalities, the premium seats in air-conditioned cinemas will be sold at Rs. 40 while the cheapest tickets will be available for Rs. 5. For non air-conditioned halls, the rates are even lower — the cheapest will come at Rs. 4 and the costliest seats at Rs. 30. In town panchayats and villages, the lowest entrance rates remain the same in both categories.

The highest entrance fees in town panchayats are cheaper than in municipalities — air-conditioned cinemas can charge a maximum of Rs. 25 while non air-conditioned halls should charge a maximum of only Rs. 20. In villages, the highest class in an air-conditioned hall commands Rs. 15 per seat while non air-conditioned halls can charge Rs. 10.

The press release said it was impossible to ignore the fact that people were being denied a chance to watch many movies because of the high entrance rates.

It was against this background that four film-related organisations studied the issue and gave their suggestions to the Chief Minister. They requested the Chief Minister to consider their suggestions. The release added that following deliberations, the Government arrived at the new entrance rates.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail