The other theatres won't be able to similarly and simply hike prices by Rs. 10 it seems and will have to adhere to the demand. Still, the theatre owners are in talks. Prashant Solanki, General Manager of Cine Park, Valsad, admits that negotiations are on. Vishek Chauhan, owner of Roopbani Cinema in Bihar, also confirms that he has got the directive. But he adds, "They haven't mentioned anything about Thugs Of Hindostan. What they said is that we should keep the rates of Kalank at 10% more than the blockbuster prices'. They have also made it clear that discounted prices should not be allowed.
Is Kalank really that huge that it can make such demands? Not, according to Vishek. He reasons, "I don't think a film like Kalank needs to go above blockbuster pricing. It doesn't have that kind of pedigree. Blockbuster pricing is fine but anything more than that is not fair. Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt are the main attractions. They have given hits like Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, Badrinath Ki Dulhania etc. Then the makers used to keep the ticket prices at normal rates. Aur abhi Varun Dhawan Salman Khan aur Aamir Khan ki category mein nahi gaye hai (Varun cannot be placed in the category of Salman and Aamir Khan yet). Moreover, the buzz for the film isn't extraordinary either. With the prices they are asking, they are trying to put Kalank on the level of Baahubali. Trade analyst Atul Mohan however has a contrary point of view, "It's a big film after all, comprising ensemble cast and lavish sets. So it's natural for producers of big films to ask for high ticket prices.
Some exhibitors are worried that such insane rates might drive patrons away from theatres and that's the last thing they want at a time when footfalls are depleting. Prashant Solanki explains, "We have not agreed yet to the demand for Kalank because Thugs Of Hindostan was a box office disaster, despite the hike in prices. Secondly, Thugs Of Hindostan had released on a major festival like Diwali. And Mahavir Jayanti and Good Fridays are not really counted as a holiday here in Valsad. It can be considered in metros. He further explains, "It is due to the insane increase in prices that Thugs Of Hindostan bombed. Viewers were hesitant to see the film after the reviews were out. I believe that even if a film is weak or have a negative word of mouth, it can still get a good amount of footfalls if the rates are reasonable. Prashant however is open to increase in prices, ut terms and conditions apply. "We don't mind keeping the rates that we had for Simmba, which is 10% less than what we charged for Thugs Of Hindostan, he affirms.
There is more in the article arguing a counter point. One interest thing to note is that the buzz for Avengers is big across India. One guy compared it with the craze that Baahubali had.
Anupamaa
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