Karan Johar criticizes theatre chains over high costs for moviegoers

In a recent interview, acclaimed filmmaker Karan Johar raised concerns over the soaring costs of movie outings, which he claims have significantly reduced the number of cinema visits for Indian families.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Johar cited surveys indicating that the average consumer now visits the cinema just twice a year, largely due to high ticket prices and expensive food and beverage (F&B) offerings at multiplexes.

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Johar, known for films like Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and My Name Is Khan, highlighted that a movie outing for a family of four could cost up to Rs 10,000. "For many families, that amount simply isn't part of their economic plan," he remarked, adding that the group most affected by these costs forms a significant portion of Bollywood's audience base.

Johar noted that cinema halls now see large crowds only around major festivals like Diwali or for highly anticipated releases like Kalki 2898 AD, Stree 2 among others. He shared how some parents prefer taking their children to restaurants over cinemas, as they feel guilty denying them expensive snacks.

Fellow filmmaker Zoya Akhtar supported Johar’s stance, emphasizing that high F&B prices deter audiences from visiting multiplexes. Akhtar also pointed out that a film’s story plays a crucial role in drawing audiences, especially when they can only afford limited trips to the cinema.