Hyderabad, May 28 (RAHNUMA): Senior CPI leader K. Narayana has criticised the growing trend of steep movie ticket price hikes and benefit shows, saying they are placing an unfair financial burden on common people.
Referring to reports that several film personalities met at the residence of megastar Chiranjeevi to discuss issues concerning the film industry, Narayana said it was unfortunate that discussions were centred around sharing additional revenues generated through increased ticket prices. He alleged that producers were using the excuse of massive production budgets to seek special permissions for benefit shows and higher ticket rates, while governments were readily approving them. “Cinema is a medium of entertainment and culture, but it should not become a tool for exploiting audiences in the name of art”, he said.
Narayana observed that ordinary families are now forced to spend thousands of rupees to watch movies in theatres and urged the governments to formulate a clear and uniform policy on movie ticket pricing.
He also remarked that excessive pricing and commercialisation were encouraging the rise of alternative viewing cultures such as “I Bomma”, as audiences search for affordable options.
