Kerala theatres to introduce e-ticketing

With so many reports of fake inflated box-office collections on movies being screened in Kerala, authorities have decided to introduce a server-based e-ticketing system across theatres in the state. The centrally controlled system will be first introduced in theatres under Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC). 

The KSFDC has already started the trial and is planning to install the system in theatres owned by the Corporation within three weeks. With this, Kerala will become the first state to introduce e-ticketing in theatres. 

"All theatres, except two, will undergo trial. Two theatres, one in Paravoor, which is undergoing renovation and the one in Chittoor, which will be renovated soon, will not undertake trial," Lenin Rajendran, KSFDC chairman said. 

The trial will run for 10 to 15 days, and all theatres in the state will have to implement the system, reports The New Indian Express. 

The method was initiated at the time of previous UDF government but was not implemented due to strong resistance from the union of theatre owners and exhibitors. 

The e-ticketing system was developed by the Information Kerala Mission. Under this system, information on ticket sale will be available to distributors, Kerala State Cultural Welfare Board and Local Self-Government, ensuring transparency. 

The Information Kerala Mission is also planning to develop a ticket booking app for theatres. Revenue from the sale of a ticket is distributed among distributors, local body and Cultural Welfare Board. Local body will get entertainment tax while Welfare Board gets ticket cess. A major allegation against distributors is that the theatre owners fudge collection reports to evade distributors share and entertainment tax. 

However, there are concerns over the execution of the new system, and some are of the opinion that government should take the initiative and implement it.

• e-ticketing
• theatres
• KSFDC