Cinema has always been the common man’s escape, a couple of hours to forget life’s worries and get lost in a story. But with ticket prices climbing higher and higher, especially for certain films, it is slowly turning into a luxury that not everyone can afford.
Take the upcoming Coolie movie as an example. In Chennai, a PVR ticket for the original version costs around ₹183. In Hyderabad, the Telugu dubbed version is priced at ₹453 in PVR theatres, which is more than double. That is not a small difference, and it is one of the biggest reasons audiences are starting to feel the pinch.
This is not an isolated incident. In recent times, even many medium to big hero movies have been getting steep price hikes regardless of how good or bad the content actually is. The problem is that some of these films come with half-baked stories, outdated subjects, and nothing fresh to offer. Yet the audience is expected to pay a premium just because it is a star-driven release. Naturally, people are starting to feel irritated because no one likes paying more for less value.
This frustration is also giving OTT platforms an extra push. When someone can watch something better at home for a fraction of the cost, the temptation to skip the theatre is strong. As more people make that choice, theatres lose their regular crowd. Over time, footfalls drop, diversity in films shrinks, and the industry as a whole starts to feel the impact.
Entertainment should be for everyone. Once it becomes too expensive, it stops being entertainment and starts becoming a privilege. If this trend continues, the big screen magic we all grew up with might fade away faster than expected.
The solution is simple. Fair pricing that balances the value of a film with the audience’s budget. A movie’s worth is not just in its budget or the star cast, it is in the connection it builds with people. And that connection can only happen when theatres stay open and welcoming to everyone, not just to those willing to pay a small fortune.
