In brief
Movie ticket prices in India have surged, with a recent study showing a 47% increase over five years. While many are skipping cinema visits in favor of cheaper streaming options, multiplex owners argue that the experience justifies the cost. With feedback about high prices growing, could flexible pricing and weekday deals help attract more audiences? Experts weigh in on the nostalgia for single-screen theaters versus the amenities of modern multiplexes.
Sahil Arora, 20, had been eagerly waiting to watch the latest Bollywood release starring his favorite actor.
But going to the theatre set him back considerably - a seat at a Delhi multiplex cost 500 rupees ($6; £4), nearly a third of his weekly pocket money.
I enjoyed the movie, but the price was a sore point, he said. Popcorn was another 500 rupees, so I skipped it.
He's not alone. Rising ticket and snack prices mean moviegoers are cutting down on their trips to cinema and moving towards cheaper streaming options.
In the past five years, data shows that the average cost of a film ticket in India has risen by 47%. The Average Ticket Price (ATP) in 2020 was 91 rupees, while in 2024 it rose to 134. However, between 2023 and 2024 there was only a 3% rise in the ATP - suggesting that the prices have stabilized.
Multiplex owners argue that ticket prices are reasonable and that audiences continue to visit in large numbers. Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, executive director of multiplex chain PVR INOX, stated that they recorded a footfall of 151 million in 2024, up from 140 million in 2023.
While some experts point to high prices as a deterrent, others see value in the immersive experience that multiplexes offer, even amid competition from home streaming. With some states considering price caps on tickets, the industry is in a transition phase, balancing profitability with audience accessibility.
Ultimately, cinema in India faces challenges, but it strives to adapt and coexist alongside evolving media consumption habits.
