Explorer

Multiplex Association Calls Out Karan Johar For His Comment About High Prices: 'Average Cost Of Family Of Four Is Rs 1,560 Not 10000'

The Multiplex Association of India (MAI) responded to recent comments made by producer Karan Johar. Johar had claimed that a family of four could spend as much as Rs 10,000 during a trip to the movies.

The Multiplex Association of India (MAI) responded to recent comments made by producer Karan Johar. Johar had claimed that a family of four could spend as much as Rs 10,000 during a trip to the movies, but the MAI has pushed back, stating that the main factor driving people to cinemas is the quality of a film’s content, not just the pricing. 

Johar’s remarks came during a roundtable interview, where he criticised theatre owners for making the movie-watching experience too expensive. He suggested that the steep prices for tickets and food in theatres were a major deterrent for families.  

Multiplex Association of India responds to Karan Johar's comment

However, MAI President Kamal Gianchandani, in an official statement, refuted these claims. 

The statement read, “Recently some media reports surfaced, highlighting concerns about the impact of high prices on cinema visitation. In the same context, the reports carried Mr. Karan Johar’s comments suggesting that cinema exhibitors are responsible for high ticket and food & beverage (F&B) prices. More than anything else, it’s a well-recognised fact that the demand for a film is largely driven by its content and appeal, rather than by pricing alone.” 

In the statement, Gianchandani countered Johar's claims and said the average cost for a family of four was Rs 1,560. 

“In 2023, the Average Ticket Price (ATP) across all cinemas in India was Rs 130 per ticket. The country’s largest cinema chain, PVRINOX, reported an ATP of Rs 258 for the fiscal year 2023-24. Additionally, the Average Spend Per Head (SPH) on F&B at PVRINOX during this period stood at Rs 132. This brings the total average expenditure for a family of four to Rs 1,560 —significantly different from the Rs 10,000 figure carried in the media reports," he said. 

Gianchandani also highlighted the complexity of pricing in the cinema industry, noting that multiple stakeholders, such as producers, distributors, and theatre owners, all influence the final cost to consumers.  

Also read: Karan Johar Blames High Ticket, Snack Prices In Theatres for Decline in Family Movie Outings: 'They Can’t Afford It'

"Each of these players contributes to the final cost to consumers, with prices ultimately shaped by the market forces of demand and supply. If lowering prices could optimize revenue for everyone involved, cinema operators would naturally make those adjustments without needing to be told," he added. 

What Karan Johar had said

During the interview, Johar had expressed how families often avoid cinemas due to high costs, particularly for food items.  

"Family members said that they don’t like to go to cinema halls because when kids say that they want popcorn or something to eat, they feel bad denying them. So, they would rather go to a restaurant where they’re not paying for the ticket and are paying only for the food. They said, ‘Our child will point and say they want caramel popcorn, but we can’t afford it’. Because the average cost for a family of four can be Rs 10,000. And maybe those Rs 10,000 are not in their economic planning at all,” he said. 

View More
Advertisement

IPL Auction 2025

Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Virat Kohli
₹21 CR
Josh Hazlewood
₹12.50 CR
Phil Salt
₹11.50 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Rishabh Pant
₹27 CR
Nicholas Pooran
₹21 CR
Ravi Bishnoi
₹11 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Jasprit Bumrah
₹18 CR
Suryakumar Yadav
₹16.35 CR
Hardik Pandya
₹16.35 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Heinrich Klaasen
₹23 CR
Pat Cummins
₹18 CR
Abhishek Sharma
₹14 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Ruturaj Gaikwad
₹18 CR
Ravindra Jadeja
₹18 CR
Matheesha Pathirana
₹13 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Shreyas Iyer
₹26.75 CR
Arshdeep Singh
₹18 CR
Yuzvendra Chahal
₹18 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Sanju Samson
₹18 CR
Yashaswi Jaiswal
₹18 CR
Riyan Parag
₹14 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Venkatesh Iyer
₹23.75 CR
Rinku Singh
₹13 CR
Varun Chakaravarthy
₹12 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Rashid Khan
₹18 CR
Shubman Gill
₹16.50 CR
Jos Buttler
₹15.75 CR
View all
Most Expensive Players In The Squad
Axar Patel
₹16.50 CR
KL Rahul
₹14 CR
Kuldeep Yadav
₹13.25 CR
View all
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headlines

As Race For Maharashtra CM Post Heats Up, Eknath Shinde Upset Over BJP's 'Claim' For Top Post: Sources
As Race For Maharashtra CM Post Heats Up, Eknath Shinde Upset Over BJP's 'Claim' For Top Post: Sources
Schools In Delhi-NCR To Go In Hybrid Mode After Supreme Court Directive On Air Pollution
Schools In Delhi-NCR To Go In Hybrid Mode After Supreme Court Directive On Air Pollution
PAN 2.0 Announced: Do You Need To Change PAN Number? Will It Be Free? All Your FAQs Answered
PAN 2.0 Announced: Do You Need To Change PAN Number? Will It Be Free? All Your FAQs Answered
Rashmi Shukla Reappointed As Maharashtra DGP After Mahayuti Win
Rashmi Shukla Reappointed As Maharashtra DGP After Mahayuti Win
Advertisement
ABP Premium

Videos

FIR Filed Against Sambhal MP Ziaur Rahman, Statement Released Amidst ControversyFIR Filed Against Sambhal MP Ziaur Rahman and Local MLA's Son in Controversial CaseSambhal Violence Sparks Political Firestorm, Congress MP Imran Masood's Strong Remarks | ABP NewsBreaking News: SP Leader Ram Gopal Yadav Reacts to Sambhal Violence | ABP News

Photo Gallery

Embed widget