Good Movies Always Have Spectators To Watch!!

@AKRao24 (27424)
India
October 3, 2012 2:41am CST
It is said because of Home video revolution because of VCDs, DVDs and Multi Channel TVs at home, the Indian film Industry is suffering a lot because of lack of spectators at the movie theater. I think this is a wrong concept prevailing amongst the masses in India. In my experience a good movie always has audience to watch it. In my opinion a good movie really doesn't need any elaborative publicity also. Through mouth to mouth publicity the word spreads amongst the actual viewers that he movie is good and the crowd is automatically gets attracted to the movie theater. I was too casual and was confident to get tickets for some movies which I have seen in the recent past and went to the multiplex just before an hour or so to book my tickets. But to my utter surprise all he tickets were books already by then. This experience I had with the movies like 'Ishkiyan', 'Dirty Picture', 'The Story', 'Barfi' and last one 'Oh My God!'. In fact having faced a frustrating experience when we wanted to watch the movie 'Barfi' , yesterday morning we booked the tickets on line early in the morning for 08.20 pm show at one of the local Multiplex which was generally not preferred by most f the audience because of its ambience. We had o book our tickets under duress as there was no alternative left for us. At the time of booking it was observed that only 4 tickets were booked and we easily could manage to get block of three tickets of our choice. I thought though it was a holiday because of Gandhi Jayanthi, people may not turn out for watching the movie as a crucial 20 - 20 cricket match of the World cup was to be telecasted where India was to play against South Africa. This was a deciding match and I thought this match can distract the people from watching the movie. But to my dismay, the show was houseful and not even a single ticket was left at the counter to be sold for the current show. I have watched the movie along with my family thoroughly and felt that good movies always have audience or viewers for them . Like the producers and directors need some good audience for their movies, the viewers are also interested in having some good movies to watch! In conclusion, what all I would like to say is that if the movie is good, then there is nothing that can stop a spectator to watch that movie, may it be then modern home video system or any interesting cricket match! Your views on the topic will be highly appreciated! Thanks!
7 responses
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
3 Oct 12
Rao: Good movies will have good response. no doubt about it. for example i understand now a move OMG - Oh My god has come. I read the story it is interesting. it is like a comedy. I think this will also run well. How was Barfi? good. do you want the story of OMG? i will give you the link.
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
3 Oct 12
Hello Dear Siva Sir! Good Evening! I have already seen the movie and I liked it! In fact I was pleasantly surprised to see that many ideas I had about the 'God' and the devotees have been shown in the movie. I have already made several discussions in the past about those points. In fact OMG is a satire on the prevailing religious Gurus and their exploitation in India. Barfi is very good movie and I was highly impressed with the performance of Priyanka in this movie. She has totally eaten up the movie with her outstanding performance and her acting really touches new heights in this movie! Please watch this movie if you get time! Thanks a lot!
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
3 Oct 12
Hello Ravisivan I agree with what you mention about the Price and Inflation. But the earnings of the common cine-goers hasnt increased that manifold. Also, the prices of all other commodities have risen. What I mean to say is - I was earning 5-6K before 2008 (I have been mostly jobless since then) and even today, when I think of earnings, I get to earn the same amount from home (and this is not regular). But the prices of all other things have quadrupled. Now, other things are more important to me than a movie. So the 100.00 INR is quite much unaffordable but had it been still the same say 20.00 INR, very well, it was a consideration I could afford to consider. Not saying that economically it would be nice for the Multiplexes or others (they earn from many other sources too) but it is not only the 100 that I have to pay - the others - like bike parking (10.00), some snacks (50.00) a cup of tea (10.00) and also the fuel to and fro (somewhere again to 20-40) all add up. The multiplexes do not make much money from showing movies (Government takes a Major share under Entertainment Tax). They mint money from the vendors whom they sublet space. Also, the increased Ticket prices are because of the fact that they reduce the number of seats in the theatres.
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
3 Oct 12
AK Rao yes i understand OMG is a satire movie. even after seeing that movie -- whenever we face problem we have to go to some body who listens. that is whee we get caught. In tamil nadu also we have a lot of astrologers, medical quacks making ill-gotten money from the people. some spend knowingly and a few others are exploited. For example some gurus spoil the daughter of the victim , wife of victim. people fall a prey into the hands of these gurujis. Such gurujis should be punished properly. they go to jail and come out with fanfare just as politician go in and come out.
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
3 Oct 12
hi AkRao I completely agree with you. Piracy or even the Channels at home are no good for good movies. watch the oldie Mughal-e-Azam on the TV or even the home theater. Then go to the theater to watch it. I am sure any movie lover would see the difference. Large Screen Entertainment is no match for any size of home Tele screen. I havent got a chance to see Barfi yet. But it is very much on my wishlist and I hope to see it this weekend. I am a fan of Ranbir kapoor - and the large screen. My health doesnt permit me theaters much these days, but then there are some which I will not miss. I think instead of the Piracy or even the Home Theater, the big problem with our Film Industry is the High Ticket Prices. I remember when I was in college, a ticket costed only 20 INR which meant that the entire family could go to the theater and the expense pinch would not be felt much (DDLJ, HAHK and so many others which I went to see with family during those days). But today, the cost of tickets is around 100 INR here. so definitely it is a pinch even if I am all alone to go because most of today's movies arent worth that much to me... I mean I will NEVER spend 100.00 to watch Dirty Picture or even the Salman one - Ek Tha Tiger. But yes, somewhere around 20, I might think and definitely yes, I would go. Even maybe opt for a repeat. But with 100.00, I have to be careful for even the First Time.
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
3 Oct 12
Hello Dear thesids how are you my friend?! Seeing you after a long time! Hope every thing is fine with you! Thanks for your lovely response as usual! Yes, I agree with you regarding the hiked prices of the movie tickets! Nowadays it is very expensive thing for a family of five to watch in a multiplex. The tickets at the multiplex have gone up too high. Today we are paying more than 200/- per ticket in Delhi and NCR in an average Multiplex theater! In some theaters like PVR at the Ambience Mall at Gurgaon we have tickets for 900/- to 1200/- per head per show n he Gold class. Such movie theaters are not meant for middle class families. a middle class family of five will have to spend 5000/- to watch a movie in this theater, As you said, I recall when we were kids we used to pay Rs.1.75 for the reserve and Rs. 2.20 for Balcony. This I am talking in the late seventies and early eighties. There after the rates have gradually grown up and today we are paying exorbitant prices for the movie ticket. In spite of all these things today neither the Cinema Hall owners are happy nor are the producers happy even if they are having some good movies running at the theaters. As said by one of the popular producers on the TV, it seems the producer only gets about 10 to 20 % of the box office collection as his share. The Cinema Hall owners complain that they are paying a huge amount from the ticket as taxes to the government. The distributors have their own grievances to cry as they feel that many a times they are not meeting the break even! So it is really surprising where the money is going? Is this the publicity in which these people they are spending these movies expensive? Yes, today the producers are investing too big amounts in the movie to get some special effects, because of which the budget of the movie is getting too heavy. The stars are charging too much to the producers. No body talks nowadays in Lakhs , every one is charging in crores as their fee. Producers are also helpless as hey want some popular faces in the movie to pull the crowd towards the movie. So because of all these factors today, a movie watcher or a spectator is shelling out huge amount to watch a movie in the form of tickets. Of course today we have better ambience and facilities than what we used to have in the past. But in spite of heavy rates people are still watching the movies if they are really worth watching! Thanks a lot dear Sids!
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
3 Oct 12
Regarding cost of tickets -- it is like this earlier it was Rs.1.75 because a bank clerk was getting Rs.400 as salary. Now bank clerk gets Rs. 20000+ and accordingly price of everything is higher. same way government employee gets now 100 times the salary he was getting in 1970s so the price of gold, car, everything is higher. True DVD has affected the movies. many would like to watch in TV instead of in theatres. still movies are made in budget running to 100 crores.
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
6 Oct 12
Yes, you have a valid point there dear Siva Sir! With the increased prices all over the cost of the movie watching also has gone up! That is true. In fact today we have better facilities and technology to make the experience a better one than what we used to have in those old days. I agree to it. Like you said many people are rather interested in watching the movie on DVD or on TV when they are telecasted as this works out much cheaper o hem! Thanks!
@akash009 (452)
• India
5 Oct 12
hello, yes you are right my friend. whatever revolution may come like dvd,blue rays,vcd's etc, if they make good movies, then people will always go to the theaters to watch that movie. its a fact that people always look for a good story to watch. they dont care about the actors or directors. but as a matter of fact this is not 100% true in case of bollywood. in india people do watch a movie because of its star value even though the movie is a stupid one with no original concept. but i dont think that's the case with other countries. so its true that if u make a good movie, people will go to the theaters to watch it.
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
7 Oct 12
Hello Dear Akash I agree with your views that people are interested in good movies and they don't mind paying to watch the same if they have good story and action. I would beg to differ with your views that people are watching movies just because of the tars present in the movie. Yes there can be a class of audience who may be hardcore fans of a particular star and they associate themselves with these stars and they invariably watch very movie by their favorite stars! But then how many such die hard fans are present in the country to make a movie super hit without having any substance in the movie? I have already discussed in details about some movies in the above discussions and there you can see that in spite of having very good stars in the movie the movies were utter flop. On the other hand some good movies with ordinary or much known actors become a super hit and he producers make a good fortune with a little investment in that! Today with the changing times in India also we are getting some very nice original movies and they are being appreciated by the audience and these movies are praised by one and all! Thanks for responding!
@jennyze (7028)
• Indonesia
9 Oct 12
I agree with you that a good movie will attract movie goers... so too not too good movies just because this is a holiday and nothing to do... or ... it's just a mean to hang out with friends, lovers or partners. Now that Indonesian government applies tax on movies played in the theaters, there are lots of cineplex or multiplex closed down. We are the movie lovers have a limited choice...
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
10 Oct 12
Yes, good movies always have the power of attracting audience to the theaters! People like to watch movies as a good change if they are good! I am really surprised to know that Indonesian Government has not imposed any taxes on movie theaters so far! In India we need to pay heavy entertainment tax if we want to watch a movie! In fact because of this taxation and modern video equipments entering the market many of the theaters in India have shut down their operations! The present multiplexes are charging heavily and they are beyond the reach of a common man! Thanks for the response dear Jennyze!
@sami00 (891)
• India
3 Oct 12
HI Rao, Definitely good movies will have spectators to watch the movie.In most of the cases,a film becomes hit due to its star power.Shahrukh,Akshay,Salman,Aamir and Ranbir have millions of fans around the world.Their movie usually does well at the box office.It is common in all the states not only in Bollywood.Tickets are just Rs 100.00 .I think it is equal to Rs.1 .I have watched most of the Bollywood movies for Rs 100.00.At last I have watched Ek Tha Tiger.It was really worth for spending the money.You must be happy that ticket costs just Rs 100.00 .Some people say that 100 rupees is too much for a movie.I don't agree with them.If they have to watch movies at Theater,then they need to spend money.Otherwise they have forget about that thought.
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
6 Oct 12
Dear Sami, thanks for responding! I appreciate that you agree that good movies do have spectators for them. Yes I agree that to some extent Stars or the actors may have influence on the movie but I definitely won’t agree that simply the stars can make a rubbish movie into a successful one! A movie may have top most Bollywood stars in it, but if it lacks good story line, action and direction then people will not like to watch the film at all. There have been any movies in the past by many great directors in which great actors acted but the movies were flops at the Box Office. The great Raj Kapoors Mera Naam Joker which had many superstars of that time was a super flop when it was released for the first time. Similarly if you see recent movie by Ra-One where Sharukh Khan the superhero of the bollywood had a leading role was an utter failure at the box Office. Om Shanto Om is another movie about which I can say the same thing, the famous living legend Amitabh Bachchan had a series of flops in his second innings after he survived and recovered from the accident he had in the movie Coolie. His almost all movies were flops then, there after from Bagbaan he picked up again in his third innings. What I mean to say there by is simply the presence of popular stars can't make a movie great! The movie should have the capability of holding the spectators to their respective seats. We had many movies in the recent past with small budget with ordinary star cast and were super hits in the movie market. Recent example is the gang war of Wasepur where spectators from all walks of life hey have watched this movie and enjoyed it thoroughly. If only stars can fetch the audience to the theater then why these stars are getting fade out with the time? If they are the Gods of their fans then why they become flop and are out of the minds of people after giving few flop movies in a row? This is just a crazy following by the fans like a flock of sheep which has got no direction and target! Thus in conclusion a good movie should have a nice storyline, which can be highlighted by the director in an artistic way by taking out the actual talents of the actors acting in it to make the characters alive in the movie! Such movies can never be a failure even if they don't have any big stars in them. Thanks a lot for your lovely response dear friend!
@rafiholmes (2896)
• Malaysia
3 Oct 12
usually..circulation or releases of a DVDs or Blurays (VCD still available in india?)only comes out many months after the film played in the cinemas..So that shouldnt be a problem for people to see it first in the cinemas .. And words of mouth..saying that this film is good etc..only if u just bumped into people which already seen the particular movie.. Usually it need to be a really Big movie for the word of mouth to spread in a massive scale..just when Titanic or Avatar was release..people who DONT usually go to the movie theatre..ended standing in lines to get a ticket..because due to the strong suggestion and convinving words from the public or friends.. so sometimes a good film..passed unnoticed can be hard to get spectators..:)
@UmiNoor (4522)
• Malaysia
3 Oct 12
The movie industry should be more creative in getting people to go to the cinema. And instead of attacking people who download movies illegally or the home channels, they should make it more enticing for people to go to the cinema like giving souvenirs related to the movie which people won't get unless they go to the cinema. Be creative and not vindictive, I would say to the movie industry.
@AKRao24 (27424)
• India
6 Oct 12
I think you have got a solid idea which can be used by the producers to promote their movies. But the point is then such gimmicks will be used by one and all and the trash movies will also try to attract the audience. As you said it is basically the good movie making at which the producers and the directors should concentrate first. If they can come out with some good movie, I am sure no body can stop the audience from watching the movie! Making some sensible and convincing movies are the need of the hour! Thanks a lot dear Uminoor for participating and leaving a nice response!