Moviebuzz  
 
Chennai, Dec 20: The Tamil Nadu government has issued an order slashing the ticket rates at cinema theatres across the state effective from Jan 1, 2007!

On Wednesday morning (Dec 20) the Tamil Film Producer’s Council (TFPC) under its president Ramanarayanan met Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi at his residence in Gopalapuram. They had enlightened the Chief Minister that even after waiving the entertainment tax, common man is unable to benefit as ticket rates are very high especially in cities.

Added to that the earlier government had allowed cinemas halls to increase the ticket rates of any film in its first two weeks of release. Hence theatres were charging Rs 100 to Rs 200 for almost all Tamil films which according to TFPC discouraged the common man to visit cinema halls and instead encouraged piracy! At Rs 30 an entire family was able to watch a film in their homes with a pirated CD!

Hearing their grievances, Karunanidhi immediately revoked the law that allowed theatres to increase ticket rates in the first two weeks! Now a uniform rate has been prescribed for all theatres whether they show new/old films!

From Jan 1, 2007 the new ticket rates in Cities (Chennai, Coimbatore, and other corporations) are-

Air conditioned theatre
Highest rate will be Rs 50!
10 percent of total seats at lowest rates-Rs 10.

Non a/c theatre-
Highest rate Rs 30
10 percent of total seats at lowest rates-Rs 5.

Smaller centres
B stations- Air conditioned theatres highest rate Rs 40.
10 percent of total seats at lowest rates -Rs 5.

Tamil Nadu government by reducing ticket rates has won over the hearts of the common man. But already a major crisis is brewing in Tamil film industry.