Diya
05-19-2006, 08:53 PM
Blockbusters to be Wallet-Busters
Yash-Raj want more profit from multiplexes for all their films, move will jack ticket prices
Kunal M Shah
Want to see a Yash-Raj movie? Get set to shell out more for the tickets. A week away from the release of their much-hyped Aamir-Kajol starrer Fanaa, the all-powerful studio wants more bang for their buck and is changing the rules of the game. Their distribution unit has asked all multiplexes across the country for a greater cut in the profits. The ultimatum is clear: Pay up or we won't let you show our films.
While exhibitors, as cinema owners are called, are negotiating hard against the 7-10 per cent hike demanded, industry watchers say that Yash-Raj's clout, masterminded by the elusive Aditya Chopra, makes it a tough assignment. For, in addition to their own movies like Fanaa, Dhoom-2, Yashraj Films is also distributing some of this year's most-awaited films, including Hrithik Roshan's Krissh and Karan Johar's Kabhie Alvida Naa Kehna.
By demanding a greater percentage in profit, effectively they are pushing up the price of film tickets at multiplexes. Exhibitors say they will have no option but to pass on the burden to the viewers. Worst-hit will be shows on weekends when there is maximum rush and the night shows. "Weekend rates could go up to Rs 200 to 225," says Neeraj Goswami of Inox cinemas.
"We at Yash-Raj provide quality and we spend that kind of money on the production. Cinema owners say that they have spent 20 crores on their multiplex however we also spend Rs 25 crore on the film," says Sahdev Ghai, head of distribution at Yash-Raj Films. "We are not asking them to share their earning right from parking to eatables etc. But we have the right to protect our interest and anyway, we are not putting a gun on anyone's head-they have the option of not taking our films. There is no set norm and things have to change with time," he added.
Such arrogance has ruffled many feathers in the film trade. "Just because today they have a big film scheduled for release they are being unreasonable," says a leading exhibitor-distributor on condition of anonymity. "But what will they do when they have a small film to release? What will they do if the exhibitors do not give in to their demands then? Also, they must understand that this will hit the audience hard as ticket prices will be hiked."
"Whatever they have asked for is very unethical and it is very harmful for the trade," says trade analyst Amod Mehra. "This will neither benefit the exhibitors not the cine-goers. It will hurt the consumer as they will have to shell out more money for ticket rates. For one man's greed the entire trade should not suffer. Already the ticket rates are so high in multiplexes, why hurt the audience more?"
What you pay now
• Tcket- rs 180-200
• Mineral Water-Rs 12
• Popcorn- Small- rs 50 Medium- 65, Tub- rs 100
• Parking - car- Rs 50
Yash-Raj want more profit from multiplexes for all their films, move will jack ticket prices
Kunal M Shah
Want to see a Yash-Raj movie? Get set to shell out more for the tickets. A week away from the release of their much-hyped Aamir-Kajol starrer Fanaa, the all-powerful studio wants more bang for their buck and is changing the rules of the game. Their distribution unit has asked all multiplexes across the country for a greater cut in the profits. The ultimatum is clear: Pay up or we won't let you show our films.
While exhibitors, as cinema owners are called, are negotiating hard against the 7-10 per cent hike demanded, industry watchers say that Yash-Raj's clout, masterminded by the elusive Aditya Chopra, makes it a tough assignment. For, in addition to their own movies like Fanaa, Dhoom-2, Yashraj Films is also distributing some of this year's most-awaited films, including Hrithik Roshan's Krissh and Karan Johar's Kabhie Alvida Naa Kehna.
By demanding a greater percentage in profit, effectively they are pushing up the price of film tickets at multiplexes. Exhibitors say they will have no option but to pass on the burden to the viewers. Worst-hit will be shows on weekends when there is maximum rush and the night shows. "Weekend rates could go up to Rs 200 to 225," says Neeraj Goswami of Inox cinemas.
"We at Yash-Raj provide quality and we spend that kind of money on the production. Cinema owners say that they have spent 20 crores on their multiplex however we also spend Rs 25 crore on the film," says Sahdev Ghai, head of distribution at Yash-Raj Films. "We are not asking them to share their earning right from parking to eatables etc. But we have the right to protect our interest and anyway, we are not putting a gun on anyone's head-they have the option of not taking our films. There is no set norm and things have to change with time," he added.
Such arrogance has ruffled many feathers in the film trade. "Just because today they have a big film scheduled for release they are being unreasonable," says a leading exhibitor-distributor on condition of anonymity. "But what will they do when they have a small film to release? What will they do if the exhibitors do not give in to their demands then? Also, they must understand that this will hit the audience hard as ticket prices will be hiked."
"Whatever they have asked for is very unethical and it is very harmful for the trade," says trade analyst Amod Mehra. "This will neither benefit the exhibitors not the cine-goers. It will hurt the consumer as they will have to shell out more money for ticket rates. For one man's greed the entire trade should not suffer. Already the ticket rates are so high in multiplexes, why hurt the audience more?"
What you pay now
• Tcket- rs 180-200
• Mineral Water-Rs 12
• Popcorn- Small- rs 50 Medium- 65, Tub- rs 100
• Parking - car- Rs 50