Post GST implementation, ticket prices for films incite movie buffs
Synopsis
Even if the ticket price is increased, the benefit would go to the government. in Bangalore the ticket price has been increased from Rs.200 to Rs.250. Fans request the government to regulate the miscellaneous charges as well.
Earlier, the theatre owners were charging high for the tickets, parking, snacks and so on. Even the tax-free movies were not an exemption to this. But the implementation of GST, in addition to the existing entertainment tax, has come as a great shock to them.
Following this they held a strike, wherein 1,127 theatres were shut down and the strike lasted for four days. On account of this, they faced a loss of Rs.22 Cr for one day.
Later they agreed to call off the strike as the government has formed a panel to resolve the local body tax issue. Meanwhile in the future, even if the ticket price is increased, the benefit would go to the government. And hereafter, they cannot say that ‘the box office collection has hit 100 Cr in one day’.
They cannot produce false account for their profit as well.
Meanwhile, in Bangalore the ticket price has been increased from Rs.200 to Rs.250.
- In Kerala the cost is Rs.250.
- In Telangana the cost is Rs.225.
- In Tamil Nadu, it is expected that the ticket price would increase as Rs.250- Rs.350 in the multiplex theatres.
Fans’ complaint: The government should regulate the prices of snacks in the canteens inside the theatres as it is charged thrice the price of the actual amount. Or else we should be allowed to bring snacks from outside. We have been charged up to Rs.150 for parking. Most of the theatres do not have clean toilets. The government should consider these extra charges and also the facilities, while deciding on the price. In future, the theatres which violate the rules should be immediately cancelled with the license.