Producer Naga Vamsi's recent comments in an exclusive interview with Great Andhra are stirring up controversy on social media.
He remarked, "After ticket prices increased, a single-screen cinema ticket costs Rs. 250. For a family of four, that's Rs. 1,000. Add another Rs. 500 for popcorn, and it's Rs. 1,500 for three hours of entertainment. Where else can you get entertainment for that price?"
These remarks have sparked outrage among netizens, who argue that Rs. 1,500 might not seem significant to someone like Naga Vamsi, living a luxurious lifestyle in Hyderabad. However, for people in semi-urban and rural areas, Rs. 1,500 is a significant amount.
Many countered Naga Vamsi's claims, saying families could enjoy a meal at a good restaurant, visit parks or go to exhibitions for the same amount.
Additionally, they pointed out that OTT platforms offer cheaper entertainment options, with yearly subscriptions to Netflix, Amazon, and others.
Some criticized Naga Vamsi's statements as arrogant, questioning the value of spending Rs. 1,500 on a film when the success rate in the industry is below 10%.
Netizens have asked why the focus isn't on guaranteeing quality entertainment for both money and time spent.
Many felt his remarks disrespect the common public, emphasizing that cinema is just one form of entertainment, and not the only one.
Here are a few comments:
- "For Rs. 1,500, you can buy 25 kg of rice, enough to feed two people for a month. In the language of your films... 'Three hours of joy versus 30 days of hunger' — what do you call that, sir?"
- "He's respected as a filmmaker because of his excellent script choices, but he's losing that respect with the way he speaks."
- "I went to the movies with my family after the ticket prices were reduced. We spent Rs. 600 for four tickets at Rs. 150 each, and still enjoyed snacks during the interval without spending too much."
In fact, any audience who feels that ticket prices are too high can simply choose to "wait and watch," as the person in the last comment suggested.
No one in the industry is forcing people to buy tickets at higher prices. Those who can afford it can go ahead moving with the demand, while others can wait or skip the theatrical release and watch on OTT platforms instead.
According to Naga Vamshi, the industry doesn't suffer losses from people opting for OTT, as they make money by selling the streaming rights.