The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Ticket rate revision reflects a balancing act

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 04, 2007
ePaper

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Ticket rate revision reflects a balancing act

S.R.Ashok Kumar

Consumers, cinema owners' interests are safeguarded

The Mayajaal multiplex on East Coast Road. — Photo: Special Arrangement

CHENNAI : The latest revision in the rates for admission tickets to cinema halls in the State, which took effect on Monday, reflects a balancing act by the Government in upholding consumer concerns as well as the interests of the film industry. If the Government Order stipulating a cap on rates with Rs.10 as minimum and Rs.50 per ticket as the maximum for theatres was a windfall for film buffs, the subsequent revision allowing theatres to charge a maximum of Rs.85 to Rs.120 per ticket depending on their having a stipulated set of facilities has provided some relief to proprietors of multi-screen cinema halls and multiplexes.

The Government revision comes on the basis of representations submitted by Sathyam Cinemas in the city and Mayajaal in the East Coast road.

Abirami Ramanathan of Abirami mega Mall and president of the Chennai Theatre Owners Association welcomed the Government decision, which bode well for the handful of multiplexes scheduled to set up shop in the city this year. Inox, PVR and Reliance are among the major players.

"The revised rates will encourage future development of technology,' said Mr. Ramanathan. Moreover, under the set of 15 guidelines of Government, very few cinema houses can increase the rates of admission up to Rs.120 and most others will be able to keep the fee at Rs.85 or Rs.95 only, he said. According to the order, for a multiplex to charge Rs. 85 a ticket, it must have two or more A/C halls, a net capacity of over 800 seats with each seat not less than 20 inches and each row separated by 41.5 inches.

Only cinema houses, which have a food court with family entertainment arena (like children gaming area) and more than three cinema screens, can charge Rs.120 a ticket.

Theatre owners point out that of the 120 theatres in Greater Chennaiincluding 80 in the city proper, the majority would have to peg their ticket rates at the maximum of Rs.50.

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

Tamil Nadu