For many Indians, a trip to the movies has become a costly luxury.
Twenty-year-old Sahil Arora from Delhi had been eagerly waiting to watch the latest Bollywood release starring his favourite actor. But a ticket at a local multiplex cost him 500 rupees nearly a third of his weekly pocket money. Popcorn cost the same, so he skipped it.
“I enjoyed the movie, but the price was a sore point,” he said.
He is not alone. Soaring ticket and snack prices are forcing many movie lovers to cut down on their cinema visits, turning instead to cheaper streaming platforms.
The Price of a Night Out
Fifteen years ago, Harsh Verma, 38, recalls going to the movies almost every week. “That has now become impossible,” he said.
According to audience research firm Ormax Media, the average ticket price in India has risen by 47% over the past five years — from 91 rupees in 2020 to 134 rupees in 2024. Although the increase between 2023 and 2024 was only 3%, cinema attendance still fell by 6% last year.
One major reason for the increase is the steady disappearance of single-screen cinemas, which offered cheaper tickets. They have been largely replaced by modern multiplexes with comfortable seating, air conditioning and premium amenities, all of which drive up costs.
Multiplex Owners Defend Pricing
Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Executive Director of PVR INOX Limited, which operates more than 1,500 screens across India, says the perception that audiences are abandoning theatres is exaggerated.
He told the BBC that his chain recorded 151 million viewers in 2024, up from 140 million in 2023. “People still come when the film is good,” he said. “They enjoy air-conditioned comfort, superior sound and an immersive experience.”
To make movies more affordable, PVR offers weekday discounts with tickets costing only 92 rupees on Tuesdays.
Debate Over Price Caps
Some Indian states have capped ticket prices, sparking debate over whether this should become a national policy.
Critics argue that price caps could hurt cinema owners who rely on steady income to maintain and upgrade their facilities. But film critic Komal Nahta believes ticket prices should not be so high that ordinary Indians are priced out. “After all, it’s the people who make the stars,” he said.
End of the Single-Screen Era
Delhi’s iconic single-screen theatres, such as Regal Cinema, have shut down or been converted into multiplexes. A few still remain, but poor maintenance and ageing infrastructure have driven many patrons away.
“It’s a vicious cycle,” Nahta explained. “Low attendance means poor upkeep, and poor upkeep keeps audiences away.”
Some remember single screens fondly. “There would be 1,000 people cheering together when the hero appeared,” recalled 61-year-old Renu Bhushan. “Vendors sold cheap snacks, and it felt like a festival.”
Still, others like Verma and Annu Gupta prefer multiplexes for their comfort, cleanliness and security.
Streaming Takes the Spotlight
The pandemic sped up the shift toward streaming. With affordable monthly subscriptions, families can now watch new releases at home for less than the price of two cinema tickets.
Film analyst Girish Wankhede said, “Most major films are now available online within weeks. For many people, it’s simply better value.”
But Bijli remains optimistic. “Cinema and streaming can co-exist,” he said. “People said television, VHS and DVDs would kill cinema, but it survived. There’s nothing like the magic of watching a film on the big screen.”
