Latest news with #GenZs
Economic Times
4 hours ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Picture abhi baaki hai…! Karnataka's ticket price cap is multiplexes' latest plot twist
Karnataka movie ticket prices (Representational) In Karnataka's movie theatres, popcorn might soon cost more than the film Siddaramaiah-ruled state wants to cap movie ticket prices at Rs 200 (taxes included) across all formats, languages and theatre types. The proposal which was announced in the CM's budget speech earlier this year, is now out as a draft notification. It's open for public feedback, but the industry's reaction is already loud and: this is a big deal!There are two sides to this story. While this move is being sold as a pro-public, pro-cinema step, it flips the economics of multiplexes on its head. Lower ticket prices might get more people through the door, yes. But for theatre chains that rely heavily on flexible pricing and premium formats, this is a real threat to their bottom example, take a Director's Cut hall. Imagine getting a recliner at just Rs 200. Bizarre, isn't it? Not just for you, but for brands offering these services as India's biggest multiplex operator, might face a tough time if this move comes into action. Karnataka alone accounts for more than 12% of its screens and about 10% of its box office earnings. Average ticket prices in the state hover around Rs 260. A flat Rs 200 cap means a straight 30% cut in ticket-level revenue. Now stretch that across the chain's pan-India books. According to Elara Securities, the cap could shave off 3.7% from PVR-Inox's overall average ticket price, reduce revenue by 2.2%, and drag down EBITDA by 1.8% over FY26–28. That's not small change. And the concern isn't just about numbers, it is also about the message this sends. This might just be the start of a broader reset in how India prices its does the cap really mean for theatres?If you're a regular moviegoer, this sounds great. Tickets prices have been climbing up for years. A family of four catching a weekend movie in a mall may have to spend Rs 2,000 after tickets, snacks, and parking. Bring the ticket down to Rs 200, and suddenly that trip becomes more budget-friendly or as GenZs would say - Affordable pro max!But from the business side, this is a very different story. Multiplexes operate on a fragile formula based on ticket revenue, food sales, ad revenue and rent. Now, take away the ability to charge more when demand is high, and that formula starts to is especially true for premium formats like IMAX, 4DX, or recliner seats. These don't come cheap. Building and operating them require major investments. In Bengaluru, these screens currently charge Rs 600 or more. A blanket cap of Rs 200 makes them instantly Taurani of Elara Securities said that the cap hurts the very model multiplexes used for securing high growth. Lower returns will cool investor and franchise interest. Expansion plans, especially in second-tier cities or in premium screens, will slow down (or maybe stop).That will have ripple effects, too. Fewer screens means fewer options for producers and distributors. Local employment in theatre operations will take a hit. And viewers, ironically, might end up with fewer places to watch the kinds of films this policy claims to chains might also be forced to shrink, pulling out of low-performing properties or cutting down on the number of screens in some locations. In the short term, that's a loss for audiences. In the long run, it's a risk to the entire movie theatre ecosystem. PVR-Inox already struggling The numbers don't lie. The revenue from operations in the quarter ended March 2025 stood at Rs 1,250 crore, down from Rs 1,256 crore in the corresponding quarter of the last financial a sequential basis, the company reported a loss against profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 36 crore in Q3FY25. The top line, though, witnessed a 27% fall versus Rs 1,717 crore in the October-December quarter of FY25. The box office in FY '25 was impacted by an uneven release calendar, marked by inconsistent content availability across quarters, a company filing said. Both Bollywood and Hollywood underperformed, contributing to a 9% decline in the company's overall gross box office revenue. That's a sign of real pressure. Content is uneven, audience behaviour is shifting, and the costs of operating multiplexes keep climbing. The Rs 200 cap only adds to the what's the fallback plan? the past few years, theatres have leaned heavily into their snack counters not just as a side hustle, but as a core profit tickets squeezed, expect that push to intensify. More combo deals, bundled experiences, loyalty perks or anything that gets people spending more once they're inside. Lobbies may be redesigned. Premium snack options might grow. Because the reality is that the real money now has to come from the counter, not the seat. Komal Nahta, Indian film trade analyst, sums it up well. 'Business of multiplexes will reduce. That's the minus side,' he says. 'The plus is that the public won't have to pay exorbitantly high ticket prices. Hopefully, lower rates mean more people come in and that boosts overall business,' he added. That's the bet theatres are now being forced to make. But it's a risky one. Especially when most weeks don't have a blockbuster to fill those cheaper seats. OTT threats looming already There's yet another side to this story: streaming. Over the past few years, platforms like Netflix, Amazon and JioCinema have changed how people watch films. Big-screen exclusivity has shrunk. Many films, especially regional or mid-budget ones, land online just weeks after release. Some skip theatres entirely. That shift has weakened the power of the theatre window. Sure, a big-screen release still brings buzz and status. But for many producers, OTT deals offer faster, safer and more certain Karnataka, this has created friction. Kannada filmmakers have spoken out about poor visibility on national platforms. Some are now building their own OTT ecosystems. The state government, on its part, has announced plans for a dedicated Kannada streaming platform and a film archive, a bid to strengthen local even if that works, it doesn't entirely solve the problem multiplexes face. Without strong theatrical performance, films lose momentum. Without momentum, their digital and satellite rights may lose value too. It's all linked. And price caps disrupt that entire to that the shrinking screen count, the slowdown in premium formats, and the pressure on profits - and it's clear that the multiplex model is entering a period of stress. Not the first time! This isn't Karnataka's first attempt at price control. In 2017, the state tried to impose a similar Rs 200 cap. That move went to court. Eventually, the High Court allowed theatres to charge more for premium formats, carving out some breathing legal history may be PVR-Inox's best hope now. It gives them a precedent. A possible negotiation the politics this time is different. Cinema is emotional. And ticket price, like onion price or petrol price, is now becoming a talking point. Rs 200 tickets sound good. It's hard to oppose that publicly, even if the economics don't here's the larger worry. If Karnataka gets away with this and earns goodwill for it, other states might follow suit. A wider adoption of flat caps could force the entire industry to rewrite its business the real risk. A blow in one state can be absorbed. But a national trend? That's a here's what multiplexes really are - retail businesses with fixed costs, variable revenue and high stakes. You can't squeeze them endlessly without something giving way. Theatres will survive. But they may look very different from the ones we know today - with fewer screens, fewer formats, more food counters, and far more caution on what gets released!This may still get challenged in court. It may still get tweaked. However, the direction is clear -- ticket margins are under review, and for multiplex chains, that's a tough seat to be in.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Lohono Stays to add 100 villas under affordable luxury segment
Lohono Stays , a luxury villa hospitality brand, plans to add 100 villas in the affordable luxury category, a senior executive said. Part of the Isprava Group , the villas will feature homes developed by The Chapter, another company of the same group. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Data Science Cybersecurity healthcare Technology Degree Management Data Analytics Data Science PGDM Public Policy Others Design Thinking Digital Marketing CXO MBA Leadership Product Management Healthcare Operations Management Project Management MCA Finance others Artificial Intelligence Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK DABS India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months E&ICT Academy, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati CERT-IITG Prof Cert in DS & BA with GenAI India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 30 Weeks IIM Kozhikode SEPO - IIMK-AI for Senior Executives India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIT Madras CERT-IITM Advanced Cert Prog in AI and ML India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months E&ICT Academy, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati CERT-IITG Postgraduate Cert in AI and ML India Starts on undefined Get Details While homes developed by Isprava are listed on Lohono Stays for rent and have an average room rental of ₹12,000–15,000 per night, under Lohono Luma , the average room rent will be ₹8,000–10,000. 'Since most of the homes will be 3BHK, the average rent for a villa per night will be ₹25,000, which will open the brand to a broader category. However, there will be no compromise on the level of service, as we will continue to cater to the traveller seeking luxury,' said Dhimaan Shah, Executive Director & Co-CEO, Isprava Group (Isprava, Lohono Stays, The Chapter). The Chapter has acquired over 100 acres across key holiday locations. The first project is spread over 2.25 acres adjacent to the Moira River in north Goa's Aldona locality. 'Millennials and Gen Zs are changing the dynamics of luxury spending, where it's no longer restricted to just the affluent. With villas and amenities crafted to exacting standards, Luma ensures that every guest enjoys the essence of luxury that defines the Lohono experience—even at an accessible price point,' said Nibhrant Shah, Managing Director & Co-CEO, Isprava Group (Isprava, Lohono Stays, The Chapter). Lohono Stays has a portfolio of over 275 villas across 12 domestic and five international destinations, including Goa, Alibaug, Lonavala, Srinagar, Mussoorie, and Coonoor, as well as the Maldives, Phuket, Bali, and Koh Samui. Isprava Group had raised nearly ₹200 crore in a funding round led by London Stock Exchange-listed Symphony International Holdings to support its plan to increase its footprint across India.
Coin Geek
10 hours ago
- Business
- Coin Geek
AI and payments are driving digital asset adoption: report
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... A new report has identified artificial intelligence (AI) and payment use cases as the biggest drivers of digital asset adoption among retail consumers. The report, compiled by Reown and public opinion analytics company YouGov, leaned on the responses of 1,000 digital asset users in the United Kingdom and the United States. Per the report, digital asset adoption has risen steadily over the last 12 months, with 34% of respondents confirming active usage. While digital asset trading is the leading vertical in adoption, the report noted that 27% of respondents use digital currencies for payments. The joint study predicts that payments will leapfrog digital asset trading to become the leading adoption driver before the end of the decade. Currently, digital payments surpass decentralized finance (DeFi) applications like yield farming and staking, with the report predicting the gap to significantly increase within 24 months. Analysts say AI functionalities for digital asset users will smooth the curve for increased adoption. The joint study pointed to the perks of personalization, fraud detection, and improved customer support for a wholesome user experience. 'Payments bring real-world demand,' said Reown CEO Jess Houlgrave. 'AI improves the experience. We don't see one displacing the other.' Among decentralized applications (dApps), AI-themed projects are jostling with DeFi for dominance in the ecosystem, while AI job listings have leapfrogged distributed ledger technology (DLT) in recent months. Apart from AI, the wide acceptance of stablecoins is also driving metrics for payments. While a cross-section of respondents are turning to stablecoins to fight against the volatility of digital assets, others are adopting them for cross-border payments. 'On-chain payments are no longer an edge case,' said Houlgrave. 'From real-world remittances to stablecoin rails powering embedded finance, we're witnessing a shift.' Broader digital payment market to spike Experts have tipped digital payments to outperform alternative methods in the coming year, driven by government initiatives and changing consumer behaviors. One report predicts that U.S. digital payments will exceed $3.8 trillion in 2025, while Africa is forecasted to record volume exceeding $1.5 trillion by the end of the decade. In terms of demographics, Gen Alpha is leading the charge for digital payments, followed by Gen Zs and Millennials. Several countries have begun reducing the value-added tax (VAT) on digital transactions to stimulate e-payments and reduce reliance on cash. AI adoption triggers heightened internet growth in China Meanwhile, as China continues to extend its lead over its peers in the digitization race, experts say adopting AI is spurring internet growth. According to a report, the local internet ecosystem has recorded significant upticks since the start of the year, playing a key role in China's economic development. A group of experts highlighted the links between AI adoption and internet growth at the 2025 China Internet Conference. In one presentation by the Internet Society of China, AI adoption level in the Asian superpower has soared to nearly 250 million, representing 17% of the national population. Analysts disclosed that the surge is intricately tied to the perks of lowering operational costs and improving production efficiency. In the coming months, Chinese authorities have unveiled plans to extend the footprint in emerging technologies, turning their sights to novel information infrastructure for widespread integration. China's Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology Zhang Yunming confirmed the government's plans to improve AI adoption across key economic sectors, particularly emerging industries. Chinese authorities are eyeing the prospects of key breakthroughs in pivotal internet-based sectors with 5G and 6G tipped to record a wave of AI-backed innovation. Furthermore, there are plans to pursue AI integration in quantum computing, quantum information, and Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Wu Hequan, a Chinese Academy of Engineering professor, revealed that AI use makes up 48% of all global internet traffic. While AI chatbots are leading the field, Hequan opined that AI agents capable of executing tasks will flip the reliance on large language models (LLMs). 360 Security Group estimated that the flippening can happen as early as 24 months, with employees embracing AI agents to increase productivity metrics. Amid the reliance on the internet, a report has tagged AI agents as the missing link in enterprise blockchain. China's AI industry explodes with activity Despite the U.S. embargo on selling high-level semiconductors to China, the Asian superpower has made impressive strides in the industry. After the green light from regulators, AI models are recording high utility in multiple sectors, including healthcare, education, finance, and automobiles. In early June, Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU) turned to AI to improve its legacy search engine product amid increasing competition from chatbots. Chinese researchers have scored wins with the rollout of an AI-based nuclear warhead inspector and a platform to track global AI research, dubbed Supermind. In order for artificial intelligence (AI) to work right within the law and thrive in the face of growing challenges, it needs to integrate an enterprise blockchain system that ensures data input quality and ownership—allowing it to keep data safe while also guaranteeing the immutability of data. Check out CoinGeek's coverage on this emerging tech to learn more why Enterprise blockchain will be the backbone of AI . Watch: AI is for 'augmenting' not replacing the workforce title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="">
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Aamir Khan explains why ‘Saiyaara' movie is so famous with Gen Z as the film becomes a Rs 400 crore box office hit
As romantic drama Saiyaara continues its strong run at the box office, Aamir Khan has spoken about why the film is striking a chord with younger viewers. The actor shared his thoughts during a recent event held for his upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par. Aamir Khan on why Saiyaara movie is famous with Gen Zs At the event, Aamir Khan said that the success of Saiyaara shows how audience preferences are changing with each generation. He noted that the film seems to have clicked with Gen Z viewers because of its emotional storytelling and youthful themes. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category 'Each generation has its own taste,' Aamir said. 'As a creative professional, I aim to explore diverse stories that connect with audiences across the board.' Saiyaara: A film for all ages While Saiyaara has gained popularity among Gen Z, Aamir Khan said his goal is to create stories that speak to a wide audience. 'I want to make content not just for Gen Z and the younger generation, but also for varied age groups and interests,' he said. He added that working with different themes gives him more space to connect with different sections of viewers. Saiyaara's success draws praise from production house Following the film's strong box office performance, Aamir Khan's production house released a message celebrating the success of Saiyaara. The statement praised debut actors Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda for their emotional performances and chemistry on screen. It also credited director Mohit Suri for adding intensity to the film and thanked YRF for backing a story that blends melody and emotion. Live Events You Might Also Like: Is 'Saiyaara' star Aneet Padda a nepokid? How's she related to 'Made In Heaven' director Nitya Mehra? Saiyaara's growing popularity among young viewers The growing interest in Saiyaara among Gen Z has been evident across social media platforms, where users have been sharing scenes, dialogues, and music clips from the film. The romantic drama has inspired fan edits, song covers, and themed reels that continue to trend. College students and young working professionals make up a large section of its theatre audience, with many citing its relatable emotions and music as key reasons for repeat viewings. Saiyaara movie collection According to industry estimates, Saiyaara has crossed ₹200 crore at the domestic box office within three weeks of its release. According to Screen , at the worldwide box office, Saiyaara has passed the Rs 400 crore mark. The film, made on a reported budget of ₹45 crore, recovered its cost in just three days after the release. Trade analysts have called it one of the year's surprise commercial successes, especially as it featured two debutants in the lead roles. The music album, which includes tracks by popular artists, has also contributed to the film's wide appeal. Saiyaara Storyline Directed by Mohit Suri, Saiyaara follows the story of two young individuals who meet during a college cultural exchange programme. Set against urban and semi-urban backdrops, the narrative explores how they navigate ambition, personal trauma, and the changing nature of relationships. While the core theme revolves around love, the story also touches on self-discovery, anxiety, and finding strength in emotional connection. Saiyaara Movie Debate The film has sparked a broader conversation online about whether Saiyaara is the modern-day successor to romantic hits like Aashiqui 2. While some viewers feel the emotional weight and musical treatment resemble the earlier classic, others believe Saiyaara brings a more contemporary tone and reflects today's relationship dynamics more honestly. Critics have also been divided, some praised the direction and performances, while others pointed out a predictable plotline and overuse of melodrama. A poll asking why Saiyaara is popular among Gen Z cited emotional storytelling and the film's soundtrack as key reasons. Sitaare Zameen Par to release globally on YouTube At the same event, Aamir Khan announced that his next film Sitaare Zameen Par will release globally on YouTube on August 1, 2025. The film stars Aamir and Genelia Deshmukh and features a cast that includes actors with intellectual disabilities. It will be available in India for Rs 100 and in 38 other countries with pricing based on region.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
What Gen Z really wants: Local labels, global dreams, and AI that saves time
The second ET Snapchat Gen Z survey reveals key insights into this generation. It examines their values, preferences, and how they are reshaping the business world. The survey explores their personal lives, professional goals, and financial habits. Social media plays a vital role in their brand discovery. The study also highlights their preferences for e-commerce, fashion, and streaming platforms. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The second edition of the ET Snapchat Gen Z survey is now out, capturing new insights gathered during the second quarter. It picks up from where the Q1 index left off, harnessing a significant amount of key additional data that offers a clear peek into the Gen Z life code -- how they view the world around them, and how their values, preferences, perspectives and ethos are changing the business landscape in a substantial ET Snapchat Gen Z Index for Q2 takes a look at Gen Z across age brackets and by gender, offering a more layered look into how they think, behave and consume. What emerges is a clearer picture of Gen Z as a generation grounded in personal values, digital influence and practical expectations -- all of which are shaping markets and trends in real survey respondents in this round are all aged between 18 and 28. Each owns a smartphone and is active on social media. Responses were collected in both metro cities and Tier 1 towns. Metropolitan centres like Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi featured in the Q2 index alongside Tier 1 towns such as Patna, Jaipur and index, powered by globally renowned research agency Kantar, primarily looks into how Gen Zers manage their personal lives, professional goals and financial habits. It also seeks to evaluate how they respond to brands and what drives their loyalty. The survey's basic objective is to understand what makes Gen Z tick, and how businesses can Q2 survey looked beyond behaviour, tapping into Gen Z's mindset. It explored how they interact with culture, career goals, entertainment, and last but not least, fantasy sports. A major theme of the survey was their evolving connection with brands — from preference to was found that social media plays a central role in their brand discovery process. A striking 89% use it to share and seek opinions. Influencers matter -- 83% say they try new brands based on influencer prod, while 85% follow trend-focused accounts for updates and Gen Z, endorsements by celebrities do carry weight. Six out of ten trust recommendations from celebrities, the survey 70% of Gen Zs value input from those with a strong follower base on soial media, 85% prefer influencers who are "real" over those who do polished names no longer are the primary driver of buying decisions. For most Gen Zers, authenticity holds more value than labels, our survey 78% say they are open to newer or niche brands, 86% prefer brands that resonate personally or carry more meaning for their social a strong preference for homegrown brands. A notable 91% feel proud to support Indian labels. However, this doesn't come at the cost of global appeal -- 67% also aspire to own international luxury products. Moreover, 86% of respondents embrace cultural diversity and welcome the way global influences shape Indian isn't just a tool — it's seamlessly woven into how Gen Z navigates daily life. A vast majority — 81% — say they use Artificial Intelligence or Augmented Reality regularly. For 32%, it's a supporting tool in their studies, with that number rising to 44% among a quarter of those surveyed have adopted AI for use in their professional/work approach, however, remains utilitarian -- it is less about novelty and more about efficiency. Like the index puts it in perspective: "I don't need AI to blow my mind. I just need it to save me time."The latest survey also reviewed Gen Z preferences across multiple areas. These included their choice of ecommerce platforms, fashion labels, mobile phone brands, beauty products, food delivery services and streaming platforms. In this round of the index, gender was included as a key variable in identifying shifts in brand Z is clear-eyed about what they want -- whether it's brands, platforms, careers or entertainment. They blend aspiration with action, tradition with experimentation. And brands looking to connect with them would do well to tune in -- ecommerce sites, Amazon resonates more with Gen Z men than women. Flipkart follows closely, with a male skew there as well. Myntra appeals more to women. Nykaa, despite its strong business and identity, struggles to register as an ecommerce platform in general recall — especially among it comes to beauty, brand preference is anything but uniform. Both men and women name names like Lakme, Mamaearth, Nykaa and L'Oréal among their top picks. The pecking order differs depending on gender. Brand mentions are scattered, highlighting a fragmented memory in the beauty fashion, Nike is the go-to for Gen Z men. Adidas and Puma also find favour, but Nike leads. Among women, H&M takes the top spot, followed by Zara and Nike. Meanwhile, Zudio appears to lag in overall the streaming front, Netflix emerges as the undisputed leader. It's the first choice across generations, with a stronger presence among younger Gen quick commerce and food delivery, Zepto and Blinkit enjoy good recall. However, when it comes to user preference, Zomato ranks highest with Gen Z, followed by Swiggy and Blinkit. Instamart makes the list too, but Zepto lags behind, suggesting that recall doesn't always translate into and Apple dominate Gen Z's mobile brand preferences, leaving others behind by a wide margin. Samsung, in particular, shines among younger Gen Z stands out as the beverage favourite. It significantly outperforms Pepsi, which remains average, while Campa Cola trails way behind. The pattern holds steady across genders and age Gen Z, education isn't just a stage of life -- it's seen as a long-term investment. Many are prepared to extend their studies and take on loans to shape future careers. Nearly half of the respondents aim for a Master's degree or higher. Over two-thirds plan to go abroad for education, the key motivations being a) better employment prospects, and b) a higher standard of overseas isn't viewed as a fantasy, but a practical move. It's more about results, and not just the experience of the work front, 28% of working Gen Zs prefer corporate jobs -- higher than the average. A quarter want to start something of their own, while a notable 27% still have their sights on government jobs. There seems to exist a fine balance between entrepreneurial ambition, corporate aspirations and the pull of job Indian Premier League grabs significant Gen Z eyeballs -- 85% follow it, with older Gen Z and men showing particularly high interest. For most, the IPL has become a big part of their lives. Still, around 27% say their interest has started to many of them, IPL is a community experience. Nearly two-thirds watch with family, and almost half tune in with friends. Interestingly, most Gen Z viewers multitask -- 81% use a second screen while watching matches, with over half engaging with IPL-related content in real time. Many also search for or shop for products they spot during the sports too have moved from the fringe to the mainstream. Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z have participated in these leagues. For some, it's about the money, while others enjoy the competition.
