The demonetisation of the high currency notes has turned the otherwise happening noises of movie buffs in the halls to an eerie silence as even after two new releases this week, theatres are devoid of any viewers.
Movies ‘Rock On 2’ and ‘Chaar Sahibzade: Rise of Banda Singh Bahadur’ released on November 11, just two days after the announcement of scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.
However, as per information, 90-95% seats of the said movies are left vacant in every show at PVR at MBD Mall, SARB Multiplex and Big Cinemas at Viva Collage Mall.
“Demonetisation of high currency has affected the business, no one is coming to see the movies. We have never witnessed such a situation earlier,” said an employee at a theatre.
In PVR MBD Mall Jalandhar, for ‘Rock On 2’, only 10% seats were occupied during the 6.45 pm, 9.40 pm and 10.55 pm shows.
Same was the situation with Chaar Sahibzade- Rise of Banda Singh Bahadur.
In Big Cinemas, VIVA Collage, for ‘Chaar Sahibzade’, during the 2.30 pm show, only 15 out of 270 tickets were sold while the seats for shows at 5 pm, 6.30 remained 95% available. For ‘Rock On 2’, only six tickets got sold in the first show. Similarly, Sarb Multiplex had 95% seats available for every show.
{{/usCountry}}In Big Cinemas, VIVA Collage, for ‘Chaar Sahibzade’, during the 2.30 pm show, only 15 out of 270 tickets were sold while the seats for shows at 5 pm, 6.30 remained 95% available. For ‘Rock On 2’, only six tickets got sold in the first show. Similarly, Sarb Multiplex had 95% seats available for every show.
{{/usCountry}}Shruti Guleria, a college student said, “To get a movie ticket, which is always a painstaking task, has now become so easy with no viewers. But again, since there is scarcity of lower denomination notes, one chooses to use them in daily needs rather than luxuries and entertainment.