Cinema halls in Delhi have cut back prices, some by up to 70 per cent in the past few weeks. Recently, PVR Cinemas reduced the price of tickets of morning shows to Rs 50 at certain halls across Delhi, and plans to implement it across all halls by the end of this week.
However, Amitav Vardhan, CEO, PVR Cinemas, says the move is more to do with the time of the year. "Pricing is brought down every year at this time as it's been an industry trend for 20 years that Feb, March and April are lean," explains Vardhan. However, he adds that the move has nothing to do with the current economic scenario, and a bad movie won't have viewers even for Rs 10 a ticket. He also adds that such pricing helps to draw in
college students.
Spice World in Noida is also working on their pricing strategy to keep with the times. Depending on the response a movie receives, all shows may be priced at Rs 50. Fun Cinemas too plans to cut prices by 30 to 40 per cent in the NCR region.
"And if the movie is weak, we might slash prices in the first week itself," says Deepak Taleja of Fun Cinemas.
Yogesh Raizada of Wave Cinemas blames it on the "lean season in Bollywood". Ghaziabad's M2k cinema hall has reduced prices by 10 per cent over the past 6 months "owing to the reduction in entertainment taxes and strong competition," says Praveen Kumar of M2k. However, Waves Cinemas (in Noida and Raja Garden) and Satyam Cinemas haven't made any changes in their ticket prices yet.
"And if the movie is weak, we might slash prices in the first week itself," says Deepak Taleja of Fun Cinemas.
Yogesh Raizada of Wave Cinemas blames it on the "lean season in Bollywood". Ghaziabad's M2k cinema hall has reduced prices by 10 per cent over the past 6 months "owing to the reduction in entertainment taxes and strong competition," says Praveen Kumar of M2k. However, Waves Cinemas (in Noida and Raja Garden) and Satyam Cinemas haven't made any changes in their ticket prices yet.
Bad news: TV actors are being killed off
Meanwhile, as cinemagoers have plenty to celebrate, fans of the small screen are mourning the loss of their favourite characters across all channels. Production houses are condensing the cast by murdering, making the characters fall prey to diseases, and what not….seems like slowdown? Maybe. That's not all. Channels are taking all steps possible to minimise costs and employing smart moves to do so. Not only are sets being repeated, the saas-bahus are repeating their costumes. Don't be surprised then, if you see your favourite character wearing the same sari that she wore last week. Moreover, outdoor shoots are now being cancelled and replaced by locations inside Mumbai to cut production costs. Even the no jewellery, no make-up look has made a comeback - more out of compulsion than choice!