The alleged inaction of the district administration in containing multiplexes that are going unabated in increasing ticket prices of Baahubali-2: The Conclusion is burning a hole in the pockets of film buffs in the city.
While movie-goers in the rest of the State are able to get the ticket of Baahubali-2, which released on April 28, for ₹ 125 in multiplexes, those in the city are forced to pay ₹ 200 for the basic class ticket. All other movie tickets are sold at normal prices. Thanks to the wrongful practice of multiplexes of international and national brands that are cashing in on the craze for the movie even 25 days after its release worldwide.
In an order before the release of the movie, the home department allowed multiplexes to have six shows a day against the permitted five to avoid heavy rush, black-marketing of tickets and law and order problem. The multiplexes also claim to have got permission to sell tickets at higher prices for the first 10 days, but the prices have not been slashed after that.
Since the multiplexes of larger chain have been charging more, a single screen cinema which recently attained the status of multiplex by having one more screen in Payakapuram too started selling ticket at ₹ 200.
When contacted, District Collector B. Lakshmikantham said he had already asked the authorities concerned to book cases against such multiplexes.
“I have told the Joint Collector, who is the licensing authority for the multiplexes, to book cases against the cinemas. I have also asked the RDOs to book cases against such cinema theatres,” Mr. Lakshmikantham said.
The Joint Collector was not available for a comment on the issue.
Most of the multiplexes in the city which started selling tickets at ₹ 125 later got permissions from the government for hiking admission rates.
As per the G.O. No. 24 of the Home department issued two months before the release of the film, Capital Cinemas of Prasadas SP Entertainment LLP was given permission to sell gold class ticket at ₹ 200 and normal class at ₹ 150.
Similarly, as per G.O. No. 4 issued on January 12, Ravindra Cinemas was given permission to sell gold class ticket for ₹ 175, executive class for ₹ 90 and normal class for ₹ 40.
