After remaining shut for four days, cinema theatres in the city opened on Friday following withdrawal of indefinite strike called by the theatre owners. However, footfalls were low for the shows. Theatre owners in Tiruchi have decided to go by 28% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on tickets above ₹100 and 18 % on those below ₹ 100. “All theatres here have decided to levy GST on tickets accordingly”, said A. Loganathan, owner of the ‘Rambha and Urvashi’ theatres in Tiruchi.
“The existing ticket rates have not been increased. But the GST has been added to it. The turn out was moderate on Friday”, said K. Ravichandran, secretary, Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Quaide Milleth Districts Film Distributors Association.
Many cinemas here wore a deserted look during the morning and afternoon shows with poor turn out of movie goers. Things might look up from Saturday and Sunday, felt Mr. Loganathan. The theatre owners had resorted to a strike demanding abolition of local body tax imposed by the State government in addition to the GST.
The addition of GST along with ticket rates has a had mixed response among audience. It will eventually lead to dip in movie goers especially those from the middle class, said M. Dinesh, a student of a city college.
Those going as a family would definitely feel the pinch as they would have to shell out more from their pockets in the wake of the levy of GST, he added.
However, R. Santhanakumar a regular movie goer feels that the levy of GST would not impact cine buffs.
