Govt plans steps to slash film ticket prices at multiplexes

Information Minister R Roshan Baig on Tuesday said he would take steps to slash film ticket prices at multiplexes in Bangalore.

Expressing displeasure over the high ticket prices at multiplexes, Baig said he would seek details on movie ticket pricing in Tamil Nadu and discuss it with Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) before arriving at a decision.

In Tamil Nadu, a certain percentage of tickets in multiplexes is offered to common man at nominal prices.

Baig made the announcement during his hour-long meeting with the KFCC members here.

The minister said keeping the next 25 years in view, the State government would soon come out with a new film policy after consulting experts from the film industry. He said the government would examine the industry’s long-pending demand for setting up a film city of international standards in Bangalore.

KFCC members urged Baig to ensure that the State government released subsidies to Kannada movies on time. 

‘Timely basis’

KFCC Secretary Sa Ra Govindu said the subsidy and State awards should be given on a timely basis. “Of late, subsidy for movies as well as annual State film awards are not announced on time. The annual subsidies are announced and released two to three years later. We want a single-window system to address all problems faced by the KFCC. We have requested the minister to look into the matter,” Govindu said.

Six months ago, the KFCC had written to the government to increase the subsidy amount from the existing Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh per film.

Govindu said the government has allotted 2.5 acres of land in Mahalakshmi Layout to mark the occasion of the Kannada film industry completing 75 years. Although some construction activity is being carried out, KFCC members want the building to have more facilities with eight screens so that International film festivals can be held there. Govindu said they wanted to upgrade the building so that even parking facilities can be created. Baig agreed to inspect the site next week, he added.
Industry bandh on Jan 27

Pro-Kannada organisations have called for a shutdown of the Kannada film industry on January 27. They are protesting against the Competition Commission of India (CCI), which has favoured dubbing of various regional language movies. Although Govindu confirmed that film shooting would be suspended on that day, details about how the bandh will be enforced are yet to be finalised. “The CCI has made it more difficult for the producers to survive in Karnataka. The multiplex rates are very high and they are screening more non-Kannada films,” he said.