Entry of multiplexes heralds exit of traditional cinema halls

Entry of multiplexes heralds exit of traditional cinema halls
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 25

Once, the main attraction of Bathinda, the five huge single-screen cinema halls are on the brink of extinction as the interest among cine-goers, who used to frequent there, is gradually waning. It is learnt that the reason for the downfall is that their owners are not able to match the services and the quality that recently-inaugurated multiplexes in the city are providing to the viewers.
During a survey of the local cinema halls, TNS observed that with the rise in income and busy schedules, people have started preferring multiplexes where one can always find the timings that suit to one’s schedule. Moreover, people are getting more particular about the ambience of the cinema hall and the availability of hygienic snacks and other food stuff.
As the traditional old cinemas are being replaced by the new multiplexes in the city, the poor man’s source of entertainment is receiving a severe hit.
Finding viewers heading for multiplexes, the traditional cinema owners were forced to reduce their price of movie tickets. The staff of the three cinemas located in a row on the Bathinda-Goniana road, informed that there had been a sharp reduction in their daily revenue through ticket sale.
“Hardly any of these theatres is earning profit,” they mentioned.
With a capacity of hundreds, the theatres in the city are getting only 25-30 viewers per show.
When asked whether the lack of facilities in the cinemas was the reason for the loss of business, the cinema staff was quick to respond, “What if they are providing more facilities. Compare the ticket price. We are charging just Rs 15 per ticket, which varies from Rs 49 to Rs 140 at multiplexes.”
To keep the cinema halls running, the owners and contractors mostly show Bhojpuri films targetting the migrant labourers. A high-budget movie is screened only after it is removed from the multiplexes.
On the other hand, officials of the Big Cinemas and the Fun Cinemas in the city claim that they are getting good response as they get customers not only from the city but also from nearby districts. “We provide the real feel of technology that goes into the making of a film. Though our ticket prices are higher than the traditional cinema halls, we provide value for money as a viewer gets good acoustics, picture quality and comfortable seats.”