Pay more to see Salman

Websites had started pre-booking shows a month before Salman Khan’s much-awaited Eid release Ek Tha Tiger was scheduled to hit the theatres on August 15. And now, Mirror has learnt that most multiplexes have decided to hike the ticket prices by as much as 12-16 percent.

Pricing tickets higher for certain films or during special occasions like Diwali and New Year is not uncommon. In fact, earlier Salman releases Ready and Bodyguard had been priced higher than regular rates. However, a 12-16 percent hike is unprecedented.

Explaining the hike, an insider said, “Most multiplexes rolled back the ticket prices (Mirror, May 3, 2012) a few months ago. So, a 12-16 percent hike will come out to be about Rs 20. Which is fair. After all it is the festive season. People are willing to shell out extra money for a Salman film especially during Eid. The multiplexes have taken this decision after a lot of research.”

Confirming the development, Anand Vishal, Head of Operations, Fun Cinemas told Mirror, “Nationally, the price will rise by about Rs 20 per ticket. After all it is a premium product. This kind of thing is done during festive seasons. And today Salman films demand higher premium than before.”

The price hike will however, not be the same in every theatre. Areas where there is more than one multiplex, will see a 12 percent hike in ticket price. While areas, with fewer theatre options will see as much as a 16 percent rise. And this will apply to all major cities in the country.

Harshavardhan Gangurde, Vice President (Marketing), Inox Cinemas said, “We haven’t decided the exact amount by which we shall raise the ticket price. But we will soon. Ek Tha Tiger is a blockbuster.”

And his thoughts are reiterated by several other theatre owners who have allocated as much as 95% of the shows for the YRF film. Vishal confirmed that as far as Fun Cinemas is concerned, “At least 90 percent of the shows have been allocated to Ek Tha Tiger.”

However, most single screens have decided to maintain the ticket prices. Like, for one, Manoj Desai, owner of Gaiety-Galaxy, told Mirror, “I have never hiked ticket prices. I am not doing it for Ek Tha Tiger either. But I must tell you, I have full confidence in this film.”

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/30/2012080720120807005134787bd078c60/Pay-more-to-see-Salman.html