Do ticket prices decide sankranthi movie success?
The debate about declining audiences in theaters continues, leaving producers worried as family audiences avoid cinemas. One major reason is the high cost of tickets, making it difficult for families to watch films together. Many now prefer waiting for movies to release on OTT platforms. However, some argue that a well-made movie will attract viewers regardless of ticket prices. The upcoming Sankranthi releases may offer some answers.
This Sankranthi, three much-anticipated films are set to release. During festive seasons, state governments often allow ticket price hikes for big movies. In Andhra Pradesh (AP), these hikes have been approved, but in Telangana, they are either minimal or reduced. Films like Daaku Maharaj and Sankranthiki Vastutanam have kept ticket prices affordable in Telangana, targeting middle-class audiences. In contrast, blockbusters like Kalki, Devara, and Pushpa 2 are priced higher.
This raises a critical question: Will lower ticket prices in Telangana increase theater attendance? If family audiences in Telangana are larger than in AP despite similar movie quality, it could prove that affordability matters. On the other hand, if both states see similar turnout, ticket pricing might not be as significant.
The high-budget movie Game Changer faces unique challenges in Telangana due to ticket pricing restrictions. Its producers sought higher ticket prices to recover costs quickly but failed to get government approval. They also couldn’t secure permissions for late-night shows. These limitations might affect the film’s first-week earnings, showing how pricing policies impact big-budget projects.
As Sankranthi films release, they will reveal valuable insights into the role ticket prices play in influencing audience behavior and a movie’s success.
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