Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 25 : The film industry is going through a tough time, as several Bollywood films, including big names and big budgets, are not doing well at the box office. Salman Khan's Eid release Sikandar also failed to meet expectations. As moviegoers continue to stay away from theatres, many within the industry have come forward to discuss what might be going wrong.
Actor Gajraj Rao recently shared his opinion on the situation and spoke about how things have changed over time, especially with the rise of OTT platforms. The actor also discussed what needs to change to bring audiences back to theatres, and for him, the most important factor is "ticket pricing."
While speaking to ANI, Rao said, "Thanks to the digital revolution and OTT platforms, stories and films from around the world that we previously saw only at film festivals or in DVD libraries can now be watched at home. This is a big reason why people now have so many more options. Earlier, the choices were limited...Abhi suddenly OTT ke baad aisa ho gaya hai ki aadha kilometre ka buffet laga hua hai, toh darshako ke liye bohot acchi baat hai ki unko duniya bhar ki kahaniyan dekhne mil rahi hain. So naturally, their expectations have also increased--they want to see different kinds of stories from us too."
Further commenting on the high ticket prices in cinema halls, the actor suggested that cinema owners lower ticket prices by reducing some of the luxuries so that middle-class families can return to theatres once again.
"If we want audiences to come back to cinema halls, then ticket prices need a revolutionary change... Cinema halls have become half restaurants--you're eating tacos and pizza. Cinema should feel like cinema. There should be no disturbances. Going to the movies means a good film, a good story, and tasty popcorn."
"It's very important that cinema hall owners bring about a revolutionary change. Reduce some of the luxuries and cut down on the food options a bit, but please lower the ticket prices. If ticket prices go down, middle-class families will want to go to the theatre again," he added.
When asked if filmmakers are no longer making good content, Rao said, "I believe we are too quick to blame filmmakers for not paying attention or not making good films. But do you think anyone wants to make bad films and purposely hurt their own work? No one does that. Everyone keeps trying."
"Even in the 80s, 70s, and 50s, bad films were made. Good and bad cinema have always existed. Good and bad stories have always been there. Good stories are being made--I just watched Kesari 2 yesterday," he added.
Meanwhile, Kesari 2, starring Akshay Kumar, has been a bright spot amidst the struggle. The historical courtroom drama, which released earlier this month, opened to strong reviews and earned Rs 7.84 crore nett on its first day, according to the makers.