National Cinema Day: Multiplexes to offer movie tickets at Rs 75 on September 16?

The Multiplex Association of India (MAI) and cinemas across India have joined forces to welcome moviegoers to spend a day at movie theatres for just INR 75 on September 16 to commemorate National Cinema Day.

More than 4,000 theatres in India, including PVR, INOX, Cinepolis, Carnival, Miraj, Citypride, Asian, Mukta A2, Movietime, Wave, M2K, Delite, and many others, will offer different movies at this special price. National Cinema Day honours the successful reopening of cinemas and expresses gratitude to the moviegoers who helped make this possible. This is also an opportunity for those who haven't been to the movies since the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.

India has a thriving domestic film industry and has seen one of the most rapid recoveries in the global film exhibition industry. On the back of global and local tent poles that resonated with the Indian audience, the first quarter of FY '22 saw impressive numbers among cinema operators. The quarter saw the release of some of the biggest domestic hits, including KGF: Chapter 2, RRR, Vikram, and Bhool Bhulaiya 2, as well as Hollywood hits like Doctor Strange and Top Gun: Maverick.

However, the second quarter has been difficult for the domestic box office, with films such as Aamir Khan's Laal Singh Chaddha failing to perform well.

But here's the catch—thanks to actor Silambarasan, Tamil Nadu moviegoers may still have to pay full price. The actor's Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu (VTK), directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon will be released on September 15.

According to sources in the theatre owners' association, slashing ticket prices on the same day as a highly anticipated film would be unprofitable.

Tiruppur Subramaniam, president of Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners’ and Multiplex Owners’ Association told The Hindu, "If we sell tickets for Rs 75, the producer will not be able to recoup the costs. As a result, we will disregard that recommendation."

When asked if the Association would consider lowering ticket prices before or after September 15, Subramaniam was quoted as saying, "It would be meaningless to do it before that date, because people would not come to watch old movies running in theatres just a day before a big movie is releasing."

The rural action drama, written by B Jeyamohan, tells the story of street thugs in Mumbai.

Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu has Siddhi Idnani playing the female lead. The cast also includes Raadika Sarathkumar, Siddique, and Aangelina Abraham.

VTK produced by Ishari K Ganesh of Vels Film International, features music by AR Rahman, cinematography by Siddhartha Nuni, and editing by Antony.

Silambarasan was most recently seen in Venkat Prabhu's smash hit Maanaadu. Besides, the actor collaborated with Gautham Menon on the pandemic short, Karthik Dial Seitha Yen. The duo had teamed up on Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada and Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, as well.