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

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 05, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Cinema ticket rate revision reflects a balancing act

S.R.Ashok Kumar

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 which turns in a whopping Rs. 100 crore till a year ago.

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 the representations submitted by Sathyam Cinemas in the city and Mayajaal in on 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 coming to the city. "We are quick to bring in world class projection technology to the city.

"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.

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