F1, Jurassic Park prove fans pay for premium entertainment despite high ticket rates

India Today

11-07-2025

The Covid-19 pandemic affected the country in more ways than documented, with the business of cinema being one of them. Ever since, audiences have stayed away from stepping into theatres, first due to safety concerns, and then out of habit. With OTT taking charge and bringing content to their fingertips, the medium has since become a preferred option to even watch films.advertisementThe window between a theatrical release and its drop on digital platforms also became shorter, making cinema owners suffer. Amid this, the industry raised a pertinent question around ticket pricing, which burns a hole in the average Indian pocket. Add to that the expensive popcorn and snacks sold at theatres, especially multiplexes, a factor that also receives widespread criticism.However, in the last couple of weeks, a lot of beliefs were shattered as audiences gathered in huge numbers to watch Hollywood classics, 'F1: The Movie' and 'Jurassic World: Rebirth'. Both films, even with higher ticket prices than regular Bollywood releases (not even factoring in 3D, 4D, 4DX, IMAX, MX4D versions), are enjoying packed houses.In just about a week, 'Jurassic World' has clocked in more than Rs 50 crore in India. 'F1', too, in its second week, has Rs 61.30 in its kitty. The business of both films is a clear sign that audiences are ready to spend money if they get the experience they desire. India Today spoke to stakeholders in the industry to deep-dive into the ticket price factor, and how dinosaurs and racing cars seem to revive the theatre business.SHOW ME THE MONEY
Reflecting on the success of 'Jurassic World', Bhuvanesh Mendiratta, MD, Miraj Entertainment Ltd, shared that it is an impressive start and indicates the franchise's strong recall and the growing appetite for spectacle-driven content. "As for 'F1', it is a niche title, but it has found its audience in premium formats like IMAX and 4DX. These shows are running at very high occupancy. The film may not have wide mass appeal, but where immersive formats are available, people are turning up in good numbers. It proves that audiences are now actively choosing experience over just content. They want to feel the film, not just watch it," he said.Interestingly, superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan spoke about the need to have affordable tickets at the recently conducted entertainment summit, WAVES. They not only urged theatres to offer cheaper tickets but also touched upon the subject of fewer screens in India, which mostly cater to the affluent market.Trade expert Taran Adarsh, however, stated that he keeps hearing how theatres are too expensive and that no one is going to watch films, but that is far from reality. He spoke to us, saying, "I am not denying that the rates are high and that we need to find an alternative to cater to the common man. However, these two films are doing extremely good business. Even Bollywood films 'Metro... In Dino' and 'Sitaare Zameen Par' are attracting crowds. The weekend numbers for these Hindi films were also very encouraging," he said.Adarsh added that while the urban crowd is majorly watching films, there is no denying that other markets are opening up too. He continued to explain, "These two Hollywood films have proved that audiences are okay with churning out higher ticket prices. And while primarily they are English films, and the bulk of the collection is from multiplexes, they are also being dubbed and released in local languages. Just the fact that theatres are full is such a silver lining for the industry," he added.HOLLYWOOD'S CHARM IN INDIAadvertisementExperts suggest that the branding and nostalgia of watching these films are what is attracting audiences, and with 'Superman' released this Friday, Hollywood continues to threaten the ticket share.Distributor Raj Bansal stated that cinema lovers enjoy franchises, regardless of language. Talking about Hollywood's craze in India, Bansal said that while we do talk about the big offerings and their business, there are also 20 other titles that fail to sustain even a week in theatres locally. He added that it is the experience of 'F1' and 'Jurassic World' that did the trick."Even though Brad Pitt is a star here too, the youth is absolutely enamoured by 'F1' and the experience the film offers. The VFX and special effects of both these films are drawing people. They are today an important part of how a filmmaker envisions their films. A big-budget film, whether Hindi or Hollywood, with high-end Dolby sound and IMAX viewing, adds to the magic of cinema," Raj Bansal said.Bhuvanesh Mendiratta of Miraj Entertainment also weighed in on the success of these international films in India. He shared that 'Jurassic World Rebirth' clearly took the lead, with its footfall nearly double 'Metro... In Dino', which was released on the same day.advertisement"That shows how strong the draw of global franchises is, especially when backed by scale, VFX, and immersive formats. 'F1', though niche, is doing better than expected on select screens, especially in high-end urban centres. It is another sign that audiences are more layered and diverse now," he said.AUDIENCES PAY FOR CONTENT AND EXPERIENCE, NOT STARSAs we discussed whether ticket prices are indeed keeping audiences away from cinemas, Bhuvanesh Mendiratta called the narrative an 'outdated assumption'. He shared that Indian audiences are now more selective, but not unwilling.advertisement"They will happily spend it on a film that excites them or promises a strong experience. Theatres still offer something that no home screen or OTT platform can: a community experience. Whether it is clapping in sync during a mass film or watching a visually heavy film like 'Avatar' or 'Jurassic World Rebirth' in 3D or IMAX, the big screen still has its magic," Mendiratta shared, adding that OTT has not killed cinema. Instead, it has raised the bar. So, if the content and presentation are both strong, people will not just show up, they will also come back.Taran Adarsh also echoed the belief that content is what eventually wins the race. He said there are umpteen examples where a film has crashed on day one, and then there are films that go on to do big business, all thanks to word of mouth.He shared, "Especially in today's times, people get feedback about a film instantly as it releases. If the feedback you get from friends and family is positive, you will end up watching the film, and vice versa. I genuinely feel that people today do not want to waste their money. So if the content is indeed worth it, they will pay for it, regardless of whether it has a star or is mounted as a high-scale spectacle."advertisement'SITAARE ZAMEEN PAR' SHOWED THE WAYWhile the success of 'F1' and 'Jurassic World' has infused the industry with hope, these experts also feel that one must focus on 'Sitaare Zameen Par' too. The film not only emerged victorious in the urban market but also connected emotionally to see a steady run in non-metro centres.For distributor Raj Bansal, the masterstroke was Aamir Khan's decision not to release the film on OTT. He shared that audiences often choose to wait and watch a film when it drops digitally. However, when there is no other way to watch a film that has been praised, one is bound to buy the ticket."You can never run down a good film. Also, the team did not use 1+1 tickets or indulge in corporate bookings. Except for Aamir Khan, the film's budget was fairly on a lower scale, and it has done Rs 150 crore business already, proving it is a hit. It may not have opened at a big number, but the growth was phenomenal. I think after this success, more and more producers will follow, leading to more ticket sales. It was a niche film, but families, especially women and kids, came in big numbers," he added.LESSONS FOR PRODUCERSThe industry feels that while the focus should remain on content and experience, it is also important to understand how producers zero in on the right ticket prices. They believe not everyone can command the kind of ticket price a Shah Rukh Khan or Salman Khan film would. Being price-sensitive is more important than just offering discounts. Give the audience substantial content, and at a price it deserves.Distributor Raj Bansal echoed the thought, adding that the problem arises when small films also ask audiences to cough up a hefty price. He said, "I would always say, first, see your product, and then fix up the price. Like a 'War 2' will have a different admission rate than a smaller film. We need to understand the audiences and their demands."- Ends