ಈ ಘಟನೆ ನಡೆದಿದ್ದು 2017ರ ಜೂನ್‍ನಲ್ಲಿ. ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಸಿನಿಪೊಲಿಸ್ ರಾಯಲ್ ಮೀನಾಕ್ಷಿ ಮಾಲ್‍ನಲ್ಲಿ. ಆ ದಿನ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ನೋಡಲು ಹೋಗಿದ್ದವರು, ಅಲ್ಲಿಯ ನೀರು ಖರೀದಿಸಿದರು. ವಾಟರ್ ಬಾಟಲ್ ಮೇಲೆ 20 ರೂ. ಇತ್ತು. ಎಂದಿನಂತೆ ಅವರು ಪಡೆದುಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದು 40 ರೂ. ಒನ್ ಟು ಡಬಲ್.

ಇದು ತಪ್ಪು ಎಂದು ವಾದಿಸಿದಾಗ ಏನ್ ಮಾಡ್ಕೊತೀರೋ ಮಾಡ್ಕೋ ಹೋಗಿ. ಬೇಕಿದ್ರೆ ಕುಡೀರಿ ಎಂಬ ಉತ್ತರ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿತ್ತು. ಅದರಿಂದ ಇನ್ನಷ್ಟು ಸಿಟ್ಟಾದ ಆ ಗ್ರಾಹಕರು ಬಿಲ್ ಸಮೇತ ನ್ಯಾಯಾಲಯದ ಬಾಗಿಲು ತಟ್ಟಿದರು. ಈಗ ಗ್ರಾಹಕರ ನ್ಯಾಯಾಲಯ, 20 ರೂ. ನೀರನ್ನು 40 ರೂ.ಗೆ ಮಾರಿದ್ದವರಿಗೆ 7 ಸಾವಿರ ರೂ. ದಂಡ ವಿಧಿಸಿದೆ.

ನ್ಯಾಯಾಲಯಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದಿದ್ದ ಗ್ರಾಹಕರಿಗೆ ಮಾನಸಿಕ ಹಿಂಸೆ ನೀಡಿದ್ದಕ್ಕೆ 5 ಸಾವಿರ ರೂ., 2000 ರೂ. ನ್ಯಾಯಾಲಯದ ವೆಚ್ಚ ಮತ್ತು 2017ರಲ್ಲಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚುವರಿಯಾಗಿ ಪಡೆದುಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದ 20 ರೂ.ಗಳನ್ನು ಶೇ.12ರ ಬಡ್ಡಿಯಂತೆ ವಾಪಸ್ ನೀಡುವಂತೆ ಸೂಚಿಸಿದೆ.

ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ರೂಲ್ಸ್ ಪ್ರಕಾರ, ಯಾವುದೇ ಚಿತ್ರಮಂದಿರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಎಂಆರ್‍ಪಿಗಿಂತ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ದರದಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾವುದೇ ತಿಂಡಿ, ತಿನಿಸು, ನೀರು, ಕೂಲ್‍ಡ್ರಿಂಕ್ಸ್ ಮಾರುವಂತಿಲ್ಲ. ಹಾಗೆ ಮಾರುವುದು ಕಾನೂನು ಬಾಹಿರ. ತಿಳಿದಿರಲಿ.

ದಾಖಲೆ 01 : ಮಲ್ಟಿಪ್ಲೆಕ್ಸ್‍ಗಳಿಗೆ ಒಂದೇ ದಿನ 65 ಲಕ್ಷ ಪ್ರೇಕ್ಷಕರು

ದಾಖಲೆ 02 : ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದೇ ದಿನ 2 ಲಕ್ಷ ಪ್ರೇಕ್ಷಕರು

ದಾಖಲೆ 03 : ವೀಕೆಂಡ್ ಆಗಿರದೇ ಇದ್ದರೂ ಸಿನಿಮಾಗೆ ಪ್ರೇಕ್ಷಕರು ಬಂದಿದ್ದದ್ದು ಆ ಕಾರಣಕ್ಕೆ..

ಇದೆಲ್ಲ ದಾಖಲೆಗಳು ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದು ಶುಕ್ರವಾರ. ಸೆ.23ನೇ ತಾರೀಕು. ವಿಶ್ವ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ದಿನದ ಪ್ರಯುಕ್ತ ಆ ದಿನ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ದರ ದೇಶದಾದ್ಯಂತ ಮಲ್ಟಿಪ್ಲೆಕ್ಸುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ 75 ರೂ. ಇತ್ತು.

ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯವಾಗಿ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಮಂದಿ ಹೇಳುವ ಮಾತು. ಜನ ಥಿಯೇಟರಿಗೇ ಬರ್ತಿಲ್ಲ ಸರ್. ಸಿನಿಮಾ ನೋಡೋದನ್ನೇ ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಬಿಟ್ಟಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಅಂತಾ. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಉತ್ತರ 75 ರೂಪಾಯಿನಲ್ಲಿದೆ.

ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯವಾಗಿ ಒಂದು ಆವರೇಜ್ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ದರ 400 ರೂ.ಗಳಲ್ಲಿದೆ. ಅದರಲ್ಲೂ ರಿಲೀಸ್ ಟೈಮಲ್ಲಿ. ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಗಂಡ, ಹೆಂಡತಿ ಇಬ್ಬರೇ ಒಂದು ಸಿನಿಮಾಗೆ ಹೋಗಬೇಕೆಂದರೆ ಮಲ್ಟಿಪ್ಲೆಕ್ಸ್‍ನಲ್ಲಿ ಏನೂ ತಿನ್ನದೇ ಇದ್ದರೆ.. ನೀರಷ್ಟೇ ಸಾಕು ಎಂದುಕೊಂಡು ಹೋದರೂ.. ಪಾರ್ಕಿಂಗ್ ಶುಲ್ಕವೂ ಸೇರಿ ಸಾವಿರ ರೂಪಾಯಿ ಆಗುತ್ತೆ. ಇಬ್ಬರು ಮಕ್ಕಳಿದ್ದರೆ.. ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಮಲ್ಟಿಪ್ಲೆಕ್ಸುಗಳಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಬೇಕೆಂದರೆ.. ಮಿನಿಮಮ್ 3ರಿಂದ 4 ಸಾವಿರ ಕೈಬಿಟ್ಟಿತೆಂದೇ ಲೆಕ್ಕ. ಅಷ್ಟು ದುಡ್ಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಟೂವ್ಹೀಲರ್ ಲೋನ್ ಇದ್ದರೆ ಇಎಂಐ ಕಟ್ಟಬಹುದು. ಜನ ಥಿಯೇಟರಿಗೆ ಯಾಕೆ ಬರಬೇಕು? ಸಿಂಗಲ್ ಸ್ಕ್ರೀನ್ ಥಿಯೇಟರುಗಳಲ್ಲೂ ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಬದಲಾಗಿಲ್ಲ. 200 ರೂ.ವರೆಗೂ ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ದರ ಇದೆ.

ತಮಿಳುನಾಡು, ಆಂಧ್ರ, ತೆಲಂಗಾಣಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಮಲ್ಟಿಪ್ಲೆಕ್ಸುಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಮಿನಿಮಮ್ ಟಿಕೆಟ್  ದರ ಇದೆ. ಉತ್ತರದಲ್ಲಿ ಆ ನಿಯಮ ಇರೋದು ಚಂಡೀಘಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾತ್ರ. ಮುಂಬೈ, ದೆಹಲಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ಟಾರ್ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಬಂತೆಂದರೆ ಮಲ್ಟಿಪ್ಲೆಕ್ಸುಗಳು ಪ್ರೇಕ್ಷಕರ ಲೂಟಿ ಮಾಡಿಬಿಡುತ್ತವೆ. ಅತೀ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಲೂಟಿಗೊಳಗಾಗೋದು ಕಟ್ಟರ್ ಫ್ಯಾನ್ಸ್.  ತಮ್ಮ ಅಭಿಮಾನದ ನಟ/ನಟಿಯರ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ಫಸ್ಟ್ ಡೇ ಫಸ್ಟ್ ಶೋ ನೋಡಬೇಕೆಂದು ಹೋಗುವವರ ಜೇಬನ್ನು ದುಬಾರಿ ದರಗಳು ಅಕ್ಷರಶಃ ಪಿಕ್‍ಪಾಕೆಟ್ ಮಾಡಿದಂತಿರುತ್ತದೆ.

ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದರೆ ಓಕೆ. ಅಕಸ್ಮಾತ್.. ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿಲ್ಲದಿದ್ದರೆ ಅದರ ಎಫೆಕ್ಟ್ ಮುಂದಿನ ಸಿನಿಮಾಗೆ ಕಾದಿರುತ್ತೆ. ಇತ್ತೀಚೆಗೆ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಮಟ್ಟದ ಸೆನ್ಸೇಷನ್ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿಸುವ ಸಿನಿಮಾಗಳು 2 ಸಾವಿರ ರೂ.ವರೆಗೆ ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ದರ ನಿಗದಿ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದವು. ಅಲ್ಲಿಗೆ.. ಅಂತಾದ್ದೊಂದು ಸಿನಿಮಾ ನೋಡಿದ ಕುಟುಂಬ ಮತ್ತೊಂದಾರು ತಿಂಗಳು ಥಿಯೇಟರ್ ಕಡೆ ತಲೆ ಹಾಕಲ್ಲ.

ಸಿದ್ದರಾಮಯ್ಯ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಇದ್ದಾಗ ಅಬ್ಬರಿಸಿ ಬೊಬ್ಬಿರಿದು 200 ರೂ. ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ಎಂದು ಫಿಕ್ಸ್ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದರು. ಆಮೇಲೆ  ತಣ್ಣಗಾಗಿ ಹೋಗಿದ್ದರು. ಆದರೆ.. ಸಿನಿಮಾ ದಿನದ ಪ್ರೇಕ್ಷಕರ ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ರಿಯೆ ಪ್ರಾಬ್ಲಂ ಇರೋದು ಸಿನಿಮಾ ನೋಡೋವ್ರಲ್ಲಿ ಅಲ್ಲ. ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಮಾಡಿ.. ಅರ್ಜೆಂಟಾಗಿ ದುಡ್ಡು ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕು. ಬಾಚಿಕೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕು ಅನ್ನೋ ಲೆಕ್ಕಾಚಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಅನ್ನೋದನ್ನ ಸಾಬೀತು ಮಾಡಿದೆ.

ಒಂದು ಸಕ್ಸಸ್ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಇಂಡಸ್ಟ್ರಿಗೆ ಅದೆಷ್ಟು ಉತ್ಸಾಹ ತುಂಬುತ್ತದೋ.. ಅದೇ ರೀತಿ ಆ ಸಕ್ಸಸ್ ಸಿನಿಮಾದ ನಂತರ ಕೆಲವು ಸಿನಿಮಾಗಳಾದರೂ ಖಾಲಿ ಹೊಡೆಯಬೇಕು. ಕಾರಣ ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ರೇಟು. ತೀರಾ.. 75 ರೂ. ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ಅಲ್ಲದೇ ಹೋಗಬಹುದು.  ಪ್ರೇಕ್ಷಕರು ಖುಷಿಯಿಂದ ಬಂದು ಸಿನಿಮಾ ನೋಡಿ ಖುಷಿಯಾಗಿಯೇ ಹೋಗುವಂತ ರೀತಿ ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ರೇಟ್ ಫಿಕ್ಸ್ ಮಾಡಬಹುದು. ಅದು ಇಂಡಸ್ಟ್ರಿಗೂ ಅನುಕೂಲ. ಬಿಸಿನೆಸ್ಸಿಗೂ ಅನುಕೂಲ.

After two days of continued fight for the right of Kannada films, the film Actor is back in multiplexes from today. In the last two days there was a conspiracy to remove Kannada films from multiplexes by falsely showing on online booking websites that the shows were full. People could not book tickets because of that. Then citing there were no audience, shows were being cancelled from Monday. Actor film team brought it to the notice of the Film Chamber and showed how Kannada films are being cheated by multiplexes.

Other producers like Shailendra Babu, whose film Bhale Jodi is also being targeted by multiplexes and Dinakar Toogudeepa whose film Maduveya Mamateya Kareyole faced similar problem came in a joint effort to fight the wrongdoing.

Film Chamber president Sa Ra Govindu organised a meeting including producers and multiplexes representatives. All the mistakes and deliberate efforts to curb Kannada films were pointed out.

Multiplexes agreed that Kannada films should be given breathing space and should not be removed from screens after just two days.

Baahubali made in Tamil and Telugu and dubbed in Hindi is all set to make more money in Bengaluru rather than Hyderabad, Chennai or Mumbai. The heavy ticket prices are the reason. Even as ticket prices in Chennai and Hyderabad is capped at Rs 120 and Rs 150, even single screens in Bengaluru are charging Rs 600 for the film. Advance bookings for the film show that single screens in Bengaluru are charging 2 to 5 times more than what is being charged in multiplexes in Chennai and Hyderabad. 

The highest ticket rate for Baahubali in higher classes in Multiplexes in Chennai is Rs 220. In Hyderabad it is Rs 250. In Bengaluru's single screen theatre Urvashi the lowest ticket rate is Rs 400 and highest Rs 600! Even in theatres on outskirts like Vajrrshwari the tickets are priced at Rs 200 and Rs 250. 

One more curious factor is that theatres in Chennai and Hyderabad have stuck to rules and the first show starts at 7am. But in Bengaluru despite the 7 am rule, even multiplexes are screening the film before 7 am to cash in on the craze. 

The CM of Karnataka said on Monday that the ticket prices will be capped at Rs 200 in Karnataka and the announcement will be made in one or two days. But advance bookings have started for till next Tuesday already at very high prices.

Do you feel ,you have been cheated in a cinema hall for paying Rs.150 for a tub of popcorn and Rs 100 for a cup of Coffee.?  Did you feel helpless and restricted in this free world? Are you forced to buy from multiplex canteens only?.

Here is a good news read on.

In coming days You can carry your own snacks and food  to Multiplex cinema halls.

The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the Maharashtra state  government to file a reply to a PIL challenging the prohibition on carrying outside food into movie theaters and multiplexes across the state.

A bench of Justices R M Borde and Sri.Rajesh Ketkar directed the state government to inform the high court within 21 days of the rationale behind such a prohibition that is currently imposed by most of the multiplex ,cinema theaters, and also whether it was in accordance with the law or not.

The restrictions on bringing outside own food to theaters has particularly affected the senior citizens , the diabetic patients, the children and those who cannot eat outside for medical reasons.

35% of Multiplex revenues comes from sale of food items . 

In the days to come the High court will draw guide lines and rules allowing consumers to carry there own hygienic food,  leaving the monopolistic greedy multiplex operator red faced.

 Like the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi said

A customer is the most important visitor on our premises. He is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption in our work. He is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider in our business. He is part of it. We are not doing him a favor by serving him. He is doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to do so.

Consumer is the king and shall remain one. 

Regards 

Prashanth Sambargi.

Consumer rights activist.

Related Articles :-

Why Theaters Don't Allow Food From Outside Asks Court

The Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has promised to look into the issue of overpricing of tickets in multiplexes and solve the issue in 3-4 days. Regarding Multiplex ticket rates issue in Karnataka has got a new life again.

On Monday, Dhruvathara magazine headed by Om Satish felicitated chief minister Siddaramaiah at Vidhana Soudha. KFCC President Sa Ra Govindu and secretary MG Ramurthy attended the function.

During this time Sa Ra Govindu gave a brief explanation to CM about the ticket rates in Multiples and how costly it is for all. Hearing the problems Siddaramaiah assured Sa Ra  Govindu that he will call a meeting regarding this issue within 3-4 days and will solve the problem.

Also Read

Multiplexes Ticket For Rs 120. Will Govt Accept?

ಜಿಎಸ್​ಟಿ ಜಾರಿಗೆ ಕ್ಷಣಗಣನೆ ಶುರುವಾಗಿರುವಾಗಲೇ ಗೊಂದಲಗಳೂ ಅಷ್ಟೇ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಮಟ್ಟದಲ್ಲಿ ಉದ್ಭವವಾಗಿವೆ. ಅದರ ಎಫೆಕ್ಟ್​ ತಟ್ಟಿರೋದು ಮಲ್ಟಿಪ್ಲೆಕ್ಸ್​ಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ. ಜಿಎಸ್​ಟಿ ಗೊಂದಲದಿಂದಾಗಿ ಮಲ್ಟಿಪ್ಲೆಕ್ಸ್​ಗಳೂ ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ನೀಡೋದನ್ನೇ ತಡೆಹಿಡಿದಿವೆ.

ಶನಿವಾರದವರೆಗೂ ಬುಕ್ ಮೈ ಶೋ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ಯಾವ ಆಪ್​ನಲ್ಲಾದರೂ ನೀವು ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ಬುಕ್ ಮಾಡಬಹುದು. ಆದರೆ, ಭಾನುವಾರದಿಂದ ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ಬುಕ್ಕಿಂಗ್ ಆಗುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ. ಟಿಕೆಟ್​ಗೆ ಎಷ್ಟು ರೇಟ್ ಫಿಕ್ಸ್ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು ಅನ್ನೋ ಗೊಂದಲಕ್ಕೆ ಇನ್ನೂ ಉತ್ತರ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿಲ್ಲ.

ಜಿಎಸ್​ಟಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಎಂಟರ್​ಟೈನ್​ಮೆಂಟ್ ಟ್ಯಾಕ್ಸ್ (ಮನರಂಜನಾ ತೆರಿಗೆ) ಶೇ.28 ಎಂದೆನೋ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಆದರೆ, ಕನ್ನಡ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳಿಗೆ ಹಿಂದಿನಂತೆ ವಿನಾಯಿತಿ ಮುಂದುವರೆಯುತ್ತಾ..? ಮುಂದುವರೆಯುವುದೇ ಆದರೆ, ಪ್ರಮಾಣ ಎಷ್ಟು..? ಹಾಗಾದರೆ, ಟಿಕೆಟ್​ಗೆ ಎಷ್ಟು ರೇಟ್ ಇಡಬೇಕು..? ಇಂಥ ಗೊಂದಲಗಳಿಗೆ ಮಲ್ಟಿಪ್ಲೆಕ್ಸ್​ನವರಲ್ಲಿ ಉತ್ತರವಿಲ್ಲ. ಸರ್ಕಾರದವರಿಂದಲೂ ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟ ಸೂಚನೆ ಅಥವಾ ಆದೇಶ ಬಂದಿಲ್ಲ. ಹೀಗಾಗಿ ಮಲ್ಟಿಪ್ಲೆಕ್ಸ್​ನವರು ಶುಕ್ರವಾರದಿಂದ ಟಿಕೆಟ್​ಗಳನ್ನೇ ನೀಡುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ.

ಜಿಎಸ್​ಟಿ ಗೊಂದಲದಿಂದಾಗಿ, ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ಬುಕ್ ಆಗದೇ ಹೋದರೆ, ಅದನ್ನು ಎದುರಿಸುವ ಮೊದಲ ಚಿತ್ರ ‘ಆಕೆ’ ಯೇ ಆಗಲಿಲದೆ. ಈ ವಾರ ಬಿಡುಗಡೆಯಾಗುತ್ತಿರುವ ಸ್ಯಾಂಡಲ್​ವುಡ್​ನ ಬಹು ನಿರೀಕ್ಷಿತ ಚಿತ್ರ ಆಕೆಗೆ ಈಗ ಜಿಎಸ್​ಟಿ ಟೆನ್ಷನ್ ಶುರುವಾಗಿದೆ. 

ಸಮಸ್ಯೆ ಏನು ಎಂದು ವಿಚಾರಿಸಿದಾಗ, ರಾಜ್ಯ ಸರ್ಕಾರದಿಂದ ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟ ಆದೇಶ ಬಂದಿಲ್ಲ. ಕಾಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇವೆ ಎಂಬ ಉತ್ತರ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿದೆ. ಆಕೆಯಂತಹ ಬಹುನಿರೀಕ್ಷಿತ ಚಿತ್ರ, ಜಿಎಸ್​ಟಿ ಗೊಂದಲದ ಮಧ್ಯೆಯೂ ಗೆಲ್ಲಬೇಕು ಅನ್ನೋದು ಚಿತ್ರಪ್ರೇಮಿಗಳ ಆಶಯ. ಆದರೆ, ಗೊಂದಲ ಬಗೆಹರಿಸೋದು ಯಾರು..?

The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce has requested the state government to restrict the price of tickets in multiplexes at Rs 150. It has also requested that prices of edibles sold at multiplexes be controlled as it is exorbitant now. It has cited the examples of neighbouring states where the ticket prices have a ceiling of Rs 150. This and several other demands were placed before the chief minister Siddaramaiah by KFCC led by its president Sa Ra Govindu at the pre budget meeting today. 

The other proposals the KFCC has presented include exempting film making, Distribution and exhibition from the upcoming GST tax. As Kannada films enjoy tax free status now, it was requested that the same may be continued and necessary steps be taken. The service tax in GST is sought to be kept at 5 percent. 

The third demand is to get multiplexes to screen Kannada and other languages of Karnataka in prime time in multiplexes. 

The fourth demand is to exempt tax for standies, posters and bills of films displayed in the premises of theatres and multiplexes. 

The fifth demand is to drop the show tax on films. Each show of films in theatres are taxed but the revenue generated from it is negligible. So this is sought to be removed completely. 

The sixth demand is to increase the surcharge on non Kannada films. Currently Rs 1 surcharge is collected from each ticket for non Kannada films. This surcharge is requested to be increased to Rs 5 and used for development of Kannada films. 

The seventh demand is to create a housing project for film persons near the upcoming film city in Mysuru.

The 'Maduveya Mamateya Kareyole' team on Saturday met Information Minister Roshan Baig and gave a memorandum about Kannada problems facing problems in multiplexes in Karnataka. Recently the screening of 'Maduveya Mamateya Kareyole' in PVR Multiplex in the Orion Mall was cancelled due to various reasons.

The team of 'MMK' including Dinakar Thoogudeepa and director Kaviraj had filed a complaint against the multiplex.

On Saturday KFCC president Sa Ra Govindu, Kaviraj, Dinakar and others met Information Minister Roshan Baig and gave a memorandum about the plight of Kannada films in multiplexes and the team urged the minister to frame rules like what Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra Governments have done to protect the regional cinema. Baig has said that he will look into the matter and would try to resolve it soon.

Also See

Ananthnag thanks Critics for the Success of MMK

Maduveya Mamatheya Kareyole Movie Review

In Bengaluru multiplexes on Wednesday and Thursday the film Spyder had 217 shows in Telugu, 38 shows in Tamil and 4 shows in Malayalam. On Friday the film has 105 shows in Telugu, 35 in Tamil and 4 in Malayalam. 

Anothe Telugu film that released last Friday Jai Lava Kush had 85 shows on Thursday but on Friday will have only 33 shows in multiplexes. Spyder released on Wednesday instead of the regular film releases on Friday.

This week a big Kannada film Tarak starting Darshan is releasing. It is releasing tomorrow on Friday. Multiplexes have given 78 shows to the film which is still less than the shows given to Spyder on Friday. 

The biggest loser is Kannada film Bharjari which released two weeks ago. It had around 65 shows on Thursday but it is reduced to just 19 shows in multiplexes on Friday. 

Another new Telugu film that is releasing on Friday Mahanubavudu had got 59 shows.

Related Articles :-

ದರ್ಶನ್ v/s ಮಹೇಶ್ ಬಾಬು

No audience doubts that multiplexes in Karnataka are cheating and fleecing the audience big time. There is one more example that has to be exposed now. A new multiplex has come up in Bengaluru. It is the The Cinemas GT Global Mall on Magadi Road between Rajajinagar and Vijaynagar. The multiplex is managed by Sathyam and is their first multiplex in Karnataka after Tamil Nadu. There are 32 multiplexes in Bengaluru and you will be surprised to see the ticket rates in GT Mall.

After the introduction of GST from July 1, The Elite Class ticket in GT Mall on weekends for the new Kannada film Aake is Rs 115 rupees. For Gold class it is Rs 180. In comparison the single screen Santhosh in Majestic which also screens Kannada films the tickets are priced at Rs 94. In comparison the GT Mall ticket prices are reasonable.

In comparison, tickets for Aake in PVR Orion Mall is priced at Rs 280, Rs 300 and Rs 370 (weekends). In PVR VR Gold the prices are Rs 680 and Rs 790 (weekends)

Now the question is, when one multiplex can have ticket rates of Rs 114 and Rs 180 why cannot other multiplexes have similar rates. If the prices of Rs 300 and Rs 700 is not fleecing the consumers what is?

Multiplexes have approached the High Court and challenged the Rs 200 cap on ticket prices. Now they are charging a minimum of Rs 200 plus tax on all tickets.

How will the government control this arbitrary pricing of tickets which is taking the audience for a ride? There are no answers.

A new 5-screen multiplex will be inaugurated at the new GT Mall in Bengaluru tomorrow. The mall is on the Dr Rajkumar Road and Magadi Road junction. HD Deve Gowda, Anantha Kumar, Ambareesh will be the chief guests. This will be the 33rd multiplex in Bengaluru and add to the 128 multiplex screens already present.

The mall and multiplex has been built on the place which had the Pramod theater. The Prasanna theater next to it will continue as a single screen.

As expected Sunday was a super collection day for Sudeep's new film Ranna. While reports from across Karnataka indicate that the film's colleciton were matching those of the release day of June 4, the collections in Bengalur were also very encouraging. The real test of the appeal in the city comes from the multiplexes. A chekc on the last shows of Sunday in multiplexes in Bengaluru for Ranna shows a clear win for the film.

The late shows on Sunday for example, 10 pm show at PVR Orion Mall Rajajinagar, 10 pm Carnival Rockline Mall, 9pm and 10 pm shows at new multiplex Cinepolis Magadi Road, 9.55pm at INOX JP Nagar, 10 pm Gopalan Arch Mall, Cinepolis Banerghatta Road, were either houseful or almost full with a few seats left. The 10 pm shows at PVR Elements Mall, PVR Koramangala and Vision Cinemas (9.40) were around 60 percent.

The only bad low show with less than 50 percent seating filled was the 10 pm shows at PVR Pheonix City Mall, Cinemax Total Mall, Cinemax Central Mall which are not traditional Kannada film areas. Thus with the bigger than anticipated Sunday collections sources conclude that Ranna could have created a new record for the opening weekend in Kannada.

The film has easily gone past collecting Rs 13 crore gross in the first four days. Thus the film has crossed a net collection of Rs 10 crore in the opening weekend itself which is a record for a Kannada film. Ramachari the biggest hit in recent times too had a big opening but it reached Rs 10 crore net much later when word of mouth increased collections after release. 

What will be the real on ground effect of the Rs 200 limit on multiplex tickets? The test will come soon enough. As we have seen before, it is the big non-Kannada films that have spurred the exorbitant prices of tickets in Bengaluru's multiplexes. Let me reiterate again that though the cap is for all theatres, single screens and theatres outside Bengaluru hardly ever have ticket prices above Rs 200. It is only multiplexes in Bengaluru that have these unreasonable price.

Rs 200 Budget Impact - Part 1 - KM Veeresh Writes

The test of the impact will come in April when the big non-Kannada film Baahubali the Conclusion is releasing. The Telugu film is among the big non-Kannada film releasing in Karnataka this year. In 2015 the first part of the film was released and for weeks multiplexes had high ticket prices for the film. After that film, Hindi film Bhajarangi Bhaijaan also had high ticket prices. These films are said to have drained Rs 50 crore from the Karnataka market to outside. These two films also affected other films because audience who normally watched 3-4 films in a month ended up watching only one movie.

Multiplex Ticket Price Capped At Rs 200

The effect of Rs 200 cap is already being witnessed in the case of Baahubali. Expecting high ticket prices, the demand from distributors for Karnataka rights of the film was said to be Rs 35-40 crore. But since the announcement and expecting it to be implemented within a month before that film releases, the demand for the film from distributors has come down drastically. The distributors were expecting to recover the money within two weeks of release by pricing the film very high in multiplexes. But with the cap of Rs 200, the film will have to have a longer run of at least 4-5 weeks with the same capacity. 

CM Promises To Solve Multiplex Ticket Price Issue

Expecting that the film may find it difficult to recover such a huge amount, the asking price for the film has come down drastically according to sources. Infact except for Baahubali no other non-Kannada film had demanded so much money for distribution rights in Karnataka. Even Rajinikanth's Tamil films which enjoy large appeal was sold for much less. Only two non-Kannada films have been sold for more than Rs 10 crore in Karnataka for distribution. One is Baahubali The Beginning (Telugu) and the other is Kabali (Tamil). All other films including of big stars was available for Rs 2-3 crore earlier has now doubled or tripled. But not all of them make profit. 

Chiranjeevi's 150th film Khaidi No.150 was brought to Karnataka by paying Rs 8 crore. The film just about managed to recover its cost for the distributor. The film was a remake of a Tamil film. Now another Telugu film releasing this month Katamarayudu has been purchased for Rs 7 crore. The film will escape the Rs 200 cap. So it will be Baahubali which will be the real test for non-Kannada films in Karnataka. Going by the success of the previous instalment, the film may make big money. But how the local distributors react to the Rs 200 cap will decide the fate of non-Kannada films henceforth.

Also See

Rs 200 Budget Impact - Part 1 - KM Veeresh Writes

Budget Also Lists Past Contributions to Film Industry

Multiplex Ticket Price Capped At Rs 200

KFCC asks Govt to Cap Multiplex Prices at Rs 150

CM Promises To Solve Multiplex Ticket Price Issue

Multiplex issue - Shivarajakumar supports KFCC and KCA

Multiplexes Ticket For Rs 120. Will Govt Accept?

Actor Back in Multiplexes

Uma Column 13 - ಮಲ್ಟಿಪ್ಲೆಕ್ಸಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಭಾಗ್ಯ ಯೋಜನೆ

Action On Multiplex - Watch Dog Appointed

Many people are assuming that it is film audience who will benefit more from the cap on ticket prices at Rs 200. But pause and think and there is a surprise. With the Rs 200 price cap set by the Karnataka government in the recent budget there is no doubt that consumers will benefit. But let us analyse the other beneficiaries. 

Movie lovers who go with family to a movie theater used to spend Rs 4000 to Rs 5000 per movie in a multiplex. Now they have to spend around Rs 1500 to Rs 2000. So this family can watch 2-3 movies in a month.

Rs 200 Budget Impact - Part 1 - KM Veeresh Writes

The biggest advantage therefore is to multiplex owners. For normal Kannada movies in the week says the price was between Rs 120-150. Only for Kannada movies with big stars they used to hike the price on first week or weekends and that too not like the hike they did for other language movies. 

Multiplex Ticket Price Capped At Rs 200

Other language Star movie tickets was somewhere around Rs 200-400 in the week days and in the weekends it used to be around Rs 600 to Rs 1000. This craze would be for first two weeks. Now with the price cap by the government audience will have the chance to view more movies in a given month and if the movie is good they see the same movie a second time also. Multiplex has the advantage of getting more crowd now. 

Secondly since in many single screen theaters the maintenance is not up-to the mark now audience has the choice of seeing the movies in multiplex since they maintained clean and the malls they are in is always air conditioned. If they don't get the ticket for their desired movie there is a choice for them to go to some other movie since many malls have 6 – 10 screens with different films. The price difference between single screens and multiplexes has narrowed and more people will move from single screens to multiplex for the better service and options they provide. 

This Chitraloka analysis shows multiplex malls will not suffer much after the price cap but in fact benefit from them.

The major persons who will be affected with the price cap will be the other language producers and distributors. Those who were buying the distribution rights with fancy price may have to think twice now.

Related Articles:-

KFCC asks Govt to Cap Multiplex Prices at Rs 150

CM Promises To Solve Multiplex Ticket Price Issue

Multiplex issue - Shivarajakumar supports KFCC and KCA

Uma Column 13 - ಮಲ್ಟಿಪ್ಲೆಕ್ಸಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ಭಾಗ್ಯ ಯೋಜನೆ

Action On Multiplex - Watch Dog Appointed

It's been one week since Upendra starrer 'Uppi 2' has been released In Karnataka and Andhra. The film has been garnering mixed reviews from fans and public. Meanwhile, Upendra had organised a special show for the celebrities of Sandalwood.

The show was organised at a multiplex in Bangalore and many celebrities including Ramesh, Shivarajakumar, Sharan, Kashinath, Kumar Govind, Murali, Santhosh Anandram, V Manohar, Indrajith Lankesh, Gurukiran, Arun Sagar, Kavitha Lankesh and others were present at the occasion.

From the last 2-3 years the chorus for releasing dubbed films and serials in Karnataka is gaining lots of attention. The argument going on is Kannada language can be saved from the dubbed movies. That is what UNESCO says about saving language, some aruge. Some organisations are against dubbing and several protests were taken up. But CCI (Competition Commission of India) has finalised their decision in favour of dubbing. So legally there is no way of stopping dubbing unless a law is made by the State or Union governments.

Once when CCI entered the field KFCC, KFPA, directors association, KTV, Okkutta and some organisations had to keep quiet and not voice their opposition as it was against competition according to CCI.

But Some individual organisations are still fighting against dubbed movies. Now there is a huge buzz that Bahubali 2, the Telugu film should be dubbed in Kannada and should get released. This is getting more attraction in social media. Chitraloka collected information from many sectors and many of them are opposing the dubbing of this movie to Kannada. There is also opposition to the release of the Telugu film itself for the reason of Satyaraj. The Tamil actor who plays a major role in the film had spoken very cheaply during the Cauvery water protests in Tamil Nadu. He had insulted Karnataka and Vatal Nagaraj and other Kannadigas.

CCI Imposes Fine on KFCC in Dubbing Issue

People supporting dubbing in Kannada are bringing old other language movies to get it released here. Probably it's an attempt to make the entry of dubbed movies de facto. Legally there is no bar on dubbing and sooner or later, big budget films of other languages will be released in Kannada dubbed versions.

It will open up the Kannada market for other languages this way. Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and English film makers can look forward to making more profit in Karnataka from their films.

Uma Column 23 - ಡಬ್ಬಿಂಗ್ ಭೂತ ಅಲ್ಲ, ಭವಿಷ್ಯ

In Tamil Nadu dubbed movies are released but at the same time the dubbed film's original language is not allowed to release. Chitraloka contacted many persons from the film industry regarding this and they are of similar opinion. They say let the dubbed movies get released but they should not release their straight movies here. Let the government take action making all movies should enter to Karnataka in Kannada version only.

Challenges Before Dubbing - Exclusive

Some of our own people who are fighting for the dubbed movies release are not talking about this aspect. Are they for release of both the original and dubbed films at the same time? If a movie like Bahubali2 gets released it will occupy more than 300 screens in Telugu version in Karnataka and dubbed versions in Kannada will occupy another 300 screens. This will damage our original Kannada films more than anything. For example, say in Rajajinagar area, Telugu films are released in Anjan theatre and Kannada films in the neighbouring Prasanna and Veeresh theatres. If Baabhubali 2 releases only in Kannada it may occupy Anjan theatre. But if it releases in both Kannada and Telugu, it will occupy Anjan with Telugu version and either Prasanna and Veeresha in Kannada version. Last time when Baahubali part 1 released, Kannada films like Rangi Taranga managed to survive and thrive because of this. Now if both language version of other language films release, original Kannada films will not have theatres. This will be the situation not only in Rajajinagar or Bengaluru but across Karnataka.

Uma Column 24 - ಬಂದದ್ದೆಲ್ಲಾ ಬರಲಿ, ಡಬ್ಬಿಂಗ್ ದಯೆಯೊಂದಿರಲಿ!

Will other language film makers agree to release only the dubbed Kannada version in Karnataka is the big question. They are already minting money in Karnataka and it is unlikely they will agree to this  situation. Last time Baahubali Part 1 released in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi versions in Karnataka. They occupied the screens that regularly screen these language films. Telugu version released in films regularly screening Telugu films and likewise for Tamil and Hindi versions. If a Kannada version is released, it will be released in theatres screening original Kannada films regularly.

Dubbing In Kannada Will Be Failure - Prashanth

Kannada films occupy 50 per cent of the single screens in Bengaluru and around 25 per cent of the multiplex screens now. If other language films are dubbed in Kannada, the share of other language films will increase, albeit in the guise of Kannada language. The profits will flow out of Karnataka. Now 30-40 per cent of film revenue in Karnataka goes out of Karnataka. With dubbed films it will increase to 50 percent or beyond that according to film industry sources. It will mean less investment in Kannada films.

Also See

Protest Against Dubbing Legitimate - CCI

Dubbing Chamber To Change Name - Exclusive

Challenges Before Dubbing - Exclusive

Rally on August 26th to Oppose Dubbing

Hamsalekha says Heros Must Unite for Dubbing issue

KANFIDA's Silent Protest Against Dubbing

CCI Imposes Fine on KFCC in Dubbing Issue

Kambara is Not For Dubbing - Vatal

Sahitya Parishat Supports Anit-Dubbing

Dubbing Issue Rocks Legislative Council

Uma Column 24 - ಬಂದದ್ದೆಲ್ಲಾ ಬರಲಿ, ಡಬ್ಬಿಂಗ್ ದಯೆಯೊಂದಿರಲಿ!

Kambar Bats For Dubbing

Vijay Against Dubbing - To Attend Protest on Jan 27th - Exclusive

Shivanna-Actors Meeting On Jan 19 About Dubbing - Exclusive

KFPA Not To Support Protest Dubbing Bundh on Jan 27th

Uma Column 23 - ಡಬ್ಬಿಂಗ್ ಭೂತ ಅಲ್ಲ, ಭವಿಷ್ಯ

Who Will Survive Dubbing? - Analysis

Anti Dubbing Cartel - CCI ACT- Decoded

Protest Against Dubbing - Industry Bundh on 27th

Sudden Support For Dubbing

Has Dubbing Culture Entered Kannada?

Dubbing Films To Have A Grand Entry - Exclusive

Dubbing To Enter Kannada Cinema?

Anti Dubbing Lobby takes Their Battle to Capital

Dubbing In Kannada Will Be Failure - Prashanth

In a case that is set to shake the theaters and multiplexes out of their monopoly in exorbitant food prices, the Bombay High Court has asked the government why food items brought by patrons are not allowed inside theaters. 

The case was heard by the court today. According to a PTI report "The court asked when security guards frisk the public entering cinema halls and check their bags,  what was the need to keep all their food items and force them to purchase food from theaters.

A public interest litigation has been filed by a local citizen in Bombay but it reflects the problem faced by moviegoers from across India. The petition says that junk food is sold in theaters and it is mandatory to buy food only sold by the theaters. No outside food including those brought by moviegoers from their homes is allowed inside. Even water bottles brought from outside is not allowed. Moreover it was illegal to sell food inside theaters and auditoriums as per rules in Maharashtra. 

The court has now asked the Maharashtra government to make its position clear on the issue. The court has said that frisking and metal detectors are enough to find dangerous weapons from being taken inside but it need not be extended to food if it is not illegal. 

Any order in this case will have serious impact on how theaters especially multiplexes do business. It will affect multiplexes in Karnataka also. It is a well known fact that the rate of pop corn and other food sold in multiplexes are costlier than the ticket prices. Rate of every food item sold in multiplex is much more than the MRP of these items outside. Most of the food is priced three to four times more than the normal price. 

ಬರೋಬ್ಬರಿ 7 ತಿಂಗಳಿಂದ ಬಂದ್ ಆಗಿದ್ದ ಚಿತ್ರಮಂದಿರಗಳ ಬಾಗಿಲು ತೆರೆಯೋಕೆ ಅನುಮತಿ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿದೆ. ಕೋವಿಡ್ 19 ರೂಲ್ಸ್‍ಗಳಿಂದ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಸಡಿಲಿಕೆ ನೀಡಿರುವ ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಅಕ್ಟೋಬರ್ 15ರಿಂದ ಚಿತ್ರಮಂದಿರಗಳಿಗೆ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶನ ಆರಂಭಿಸಲು ಅನುಮತಿ ನೀಡಿದೆ. ಆದರೆ.. ಷರತ್ತುಗಳನ್ನು ವಿಧಿಸಿದೆ.

ಚಿತ್ರಮಂದಿರಗಳು ಓಪನ್ ಆದರೂ, ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶನ ನಡೆಸಲು ಅವಕಾಶವಿಲ್ಲ. ಚಿತ್ರಮಂದಿರಗಳ ಒಟ್ಟಾರೆ ಸಾಮಥ್ರ್ಯದ ಅರ್ಧದಷ್ಟು ಪ್ರೇಕ್ಷಕರಿಗೆ ಮಾತ್ರವೇ ಪ್ರವೇಶ ನೀಡಬೇಕು. ಉದಾಹರಣೆಗೆ ಟಾಕೀಸ್‍ನ ಸೀಟುಗಳ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ 100 ಇದ್ದರೆ, 50 ಪ್ರೇಕ್ಷಕರಿಗೆ ಮಾತ್ರವೇ ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ವಿತರಿಸಲು ಅವಕಾಶ.

ಇನ್ನು ಚಿತ್ರಮಂದಿರಗಳನ್ನು ಕಡ್ಡಾಯವಾಗಿ ಸ್ಯಾನಿಟೈಸ್ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು. ಮಾಸ್ಕ್ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ಉಳಿದ ಕೊರೊನಾ ಸೂತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ಕಡ್ಡಾಯವಾಗಿ ಪಾಲಿಸಲೇಬೇಕು. ಮಾರ್ಚ್ 14ರಿಂದ ದೇಶದಾದ್ಯಂತ ಚಿತ್ರಮಂದಿರಗಳು ಬಂದ್ ಆಗಿದ್ದವು. ಅಕ್ಟೋಬರ್ 15ರಿಂದ ರೀ-ಓಪನ್ ಆಗುತ್ತಿವೆ. ಅಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಸರಿಯಾಗಿ 7 ತಿಂಗಳ ನಂತರ ಚಿತ್ರಮಂದಿರಗಳ ಬಾಗಿಲು ತೆರೆಯುತ್ತಿದೆ.

ಆರ್ಟಿಕಲ್ 370 ತೆಗೆಯುವವರೆಗೆ ಜಮ್ಮು ಕಾಶ್ಮೀರದಲ್ಲಿ ಚಿತ್ರಮಂದಿರ ಮುಚ್ಚಿದ್ದವು. ಸುಮಾರು 3 ದಶಕಗಳ ಹಿಂದೆ.. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಮುಂಚೆ ಇದ್ದ ಚಿತ್ರಮಂದಿರಗಳು ಮುಸ್ಲಿಂ ಮೂಲಭೂತವಾದಿಗಳು ಹಾಗೂ ಉಗ್ರರ ಕಾಟಕ್ಕೆ ನಲುಗಿ ಹೋಗಿದ್ದವು. ಈಗ ಆರ್ಟಿಕಲ್ 370 ತೆಗೆಯಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಅಲ್ಲದೆ ಹೊರಗಿನವರೂ ಬಂಡವಾಳ ಹೂಡುವಂತೆ ಮಾಡುವಲ್ಲಿ ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಶ್ರಮ ಎದ್ದು ಕಾಣುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಇದೆಲ್ಲದರ ಪರಿಣಾಮ 3 ದಶಕಗಳ ನಂತರ ಚಿತ್ರಮಂದಿರಗಳು ಪುನಾರಂಭವಾಗಿವೆ.

ಜಮ್ಮು ಕಾಶ್ಮೀರದ ಪುಲ್ವಾಮಾ ಮತ್ತು ಶೋಪಿಯಾನ್ ನಗರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಮೊದಲ ಐನಾಕ್ಸ್ ಚಿತ್ರಮಂದಿರವನ್ನು ಉದ್ಘಾಟಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಜಮ್ಮು ಕಾಶ್ಮೀರ ಲೆ.ಗವರ್ನರ್ ಮನೋಜ್ ಸಿನ್ಹಾ ಚಿತ್ರಮಂದಿರಗಳನ್ನು ಉದ್ಘಾಟಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಇದೊಂದು ಐತಿಹಾಸಿಕ ದಿನ ಎಂದೂ ಬಣ್ಣಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.