Bollywood actor Pankaj Tripathi recently shared his honest thoughts on why films are struggling at the box office. While many people blame OTT platforms or changing audience preferences, Tripathi believes that high ticket prices are a major reason behind the low theatre turnout.
“Movie Tickets Are Just Too Expensive”
Speaking about the issue, Pankaj said, “Ticket pricing ek mudda hai aur uski bhi ek bhumika hai” — which means that ticket prices are definitely a factor in why people are not going to theatres.
He explained that for a family, going to the cinema today is quite expensive. “It’s not just the tickets, but also the food sold there that costs a lot,” he added. The actor, who was recently seen in Metro In Dino, admits that he doesn’t understand much about the business side of films, but as a viewer himself, he feels the prices are too high.
Even Aamir Khan Feels the Same
Pankaj isn’t the only one raising this issue. Many actors and filmmakers, including Aamir Khan, have also spoken about the high cost of watching movies in theatres. They feel that the common man finds it hard to afford a movie outing, especially when OTT platforms offer cheaper and more convenient options.
Lower Prices Bring Bigger Crowds
Tripathi pointed out how lower prices directly impact theatre footfall. “Look at Tuesdays or National Cinema Day — when ticket prices are reduced, theatres are full,” he said. He believes if ticket costs were more reasonable, more people would come to watch movies.
He shared that a family might end up spending around ₹2,000 for a movie night, which includes travel, parking, tickets, and food. “It’s not an easy decision for many,” he added.
Some states, like Karnataka, have already taken steps to make movies more affordable by putting a cap of ₹200 on ticket prices, no matter which film or language it is.
Good Content Still Works
Even though cost is a major issue, Pankaj believes that a good movie will always attract people. “When a film is good, people come — like they did for Stree 2,” he said. Trailers and word-of-mouth recommendations still play a huge role in drawing viewers.
OTT vs Theatre: A Different Experience
Pankaj also acknowledged that OTT platforms offer convenience — you can watch what you want, when you want, from your own couch. But he feels watching movies together in a cinema has its own charm. “Theatre, cinema, and festivals give you that community feeling. OTT can’t replace that,” he explained.
Fate Also Plays a Role
He mentioned his film Main Atal Hoon, which didn’t do very well in theatres but performed better on OTT. “Sometimes it’s just the fate of the movie,” he said.
In the end, Pankaj feels grateful for all the love he receives from both mediums — films and web shows. “The kind of response I got for Criminal Justice 4 was overwhelming. That’s why I keep balancing between films and OTT,” he concluded.
