?Give cinema tourism-like sops?

Around 1991, when Manmohan Singh presented his first Budget, the multiplex was an unheard-of term, writes Ajjay Bijli.

Around 1991, when Manmohan Singh presented his first reformist budget, the multiplex was an unheard-of term and Delhi was still viewing movies the old way. Till 1990, ticket prices were controlled and because of the strict ceiling, balcony tickets were available for only around Rs 14. This directly affected quality. Strapped for funds, cinemas weren't giving movie buffs the best in terms of projection, sound, AC or seating.

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The first shot in the arm really came when the price ceiling for tickets was done away with for 80 per cent of seats. This was a state government decision but was somewhere affected by the Centre's policies.

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