Karan Johar’s recent claims about the average cost of a family going to the theater has caught the attention of many.
Johar recently expressed concerns about multiplex chains, suggesting that their steep ticket prices are discouraging people from attending theaters. Citing a survey, he noted that a significant portion of Indian families now watch just two films in theaters per year. He further highlighted that, instead of spending on expensive snacks at multiplexes, families prefer dining out after watching a movie.
This happened as he was a part of a discussion panel with four other prolific filmmakers, Pa. Ranjith, Zoya Akhtar, Vetrimaaran and Mahesh Narayanan having a conversation with the Editor of The Hollywood Reporter India, Anupama Chopra.
Johar said, “Family members said that they don’t like to go to cinema halls because when kids say that they want popcorn or something to eat, they feel bad denying them. So, they would rather go to a restaurant where they’re not paying for the ticket and are paying only for the food. They said, ‘Our child will point and say they want caramel popcorn, but we can’t afford it’. Because the average cost for a family of four can be Rs 10,000. And maybe those Rs 10,000 are not in their economic planning at all.”
The Multiplex Association of India (MAI) has responded to Karan Johar’s remarks, disputing his claims about ticket pricing. They clarified that the average cost for a family of four at multiplexes is just 15.6% of what Johar suggested. In their statement, the MAI explained that price variations are a normal part of the business. Their data shows that the average ticket price (ATP) for all Indian theaters in 2023 was Rs 130, while PVR INOX, a leading multiplex chain, had an ATP of Rs 258 for the 2023–2024 fiscal year. Additionally, the average cost for food and beverages at PVR INOX was Rs 132, bringing the total cost for a family of four to approximately Rs 1,560.
The MAI stated that ticket prices fluctuate based on factors such as the movie format, day of the week, location, and seating type. They also pointed out that multiplexes offer various deals and discounts to make moviegoing more affordable. The statement, signed by Kamal Gianchandani, president of the MAI and PVR, emphasized these efforts to reduce costs for customers.