Yash Raj Films - Hike in ticket rates

Just a couple of days back, there was a story in one of the newspapers in Mumbai that Yash Raj Films have demanded a hike in their fees from the multiplex owners as a result of which the rates of tickets are expected to go up when the next Yash Raj Films production Fanaa releases this coming Friday i.e., May 26, 2006.

Yash Raj Films is considered to be one of the biggest film production house in India today. They have the money, they have the distribution network and they have the clout in the Hindi Film Industry. Now, they will control the ticket rates.

In any case, the ticket rates of some of the multiplexes in South Mumbai are touching Rs. 200/-, if they are hiked, very soon, it will be difficult for a common man and his family of four to enjoy a nice Hindi film in the multiplex.

Just imagine, if you take an average ticket rate at Rs. 150/- per ticket, then the cost of ticket for a family of four is Rs. 600/- and add another Rs. 500/- to Rs. 700/- for an average meal for that family. It would add upto almost Rs. 1200/- to Rs. 1300/- rupees. This could be one of the factors which may encourage piracy in VCD / DVD.

Anybody, any thoughts?