Anand Pandit: Rising Collections Alone Aren’t Enough; Footfalls Are Key

Indian box office collections have reached Rs 13,395 crore in 2025, with Hindi cinema accounting for 41 per cent of the total share, according to the Ormax box-office report. This is the highest contribution so far by any single film industry. Hindi films alone grossing Rs 5,504 crore shows that the segment remains the anchor of the Indian box office, driven largely by the strong run of films such as 'Dhurandhar', 'Chhaava', 'Kantara: Chapter 1' and 'Saiyyara'.

However, even as collections continue to rise, footfalls tell a different story. According to the Ormax box-office report, overall admissions in 2025 stood at 83.2 crore, about six per cent lower than in 2024. This suggests that the rise in collections has been supported largely by higher average ticket prices.

"If you remember, many experts seemed unsure about the industry's future during the pandemic. In the last few years, their questions have been answered emphatically, and this surge in collections is a good sign. But if we dig deeper, there are certain issues, including the price of tickets, that must be addressed. Is our cinema reaching the audience that once watched the first day, first show of a new release in a single-screen theatre? Or have we priced ourselves out of the reach of the very people who were the backbone of cinema? The reports of declining footfalls, even when collections are rising, are undoubtedly indicative of fluctuating footfalls," says renowned producer Anand Pandit.

He is concerned about the sharp rise in ticket prices in recent years. In many places, single-screen theatres are being converted into multiplexes, where ticket prices now range between Rs 130 and Rs 300. In big metros and major cinema chains, prices can go from Rs 300 to Rs 500 depending on the seats.

"For a family, the cost of watching a film in theatres has clearly gone up. This means that cinema, which was once an inclusive, community experience, is now becoming unaffordable for many. Even those who can afford to watch a film in a multiplex may want to wait for it to be streamed. The ticket prices, hence, have to be balanced between affordability and sustainability. We also need more single-screen halls in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Additionally, we must offer quality cinema backed by strong storytelling to the audiences. A trailer should make people curious enough to visit theatres, and once they spend their money on a ticket, they should walk out satisfied. That is what encourages repeat viewing and ultimately leads to higher footfalls," adds Pandit.

He concedes that wider releases and a growing number of screens have changed the way films run in theatres. Today, the same film may play across several theatres within the same city. Because of this shift in release patterns, long theatrical runs of 100 or even 200 days have become rare. "So, we cannot expect something like 'Sholay', which recorded the highest footfalls for an Indian film and also remains one of the longest-running movies in Indian cinema. "The way films are released today is very different. What matters is reaching more people early in the run. In an average 35-day theatrical window, the distributors aim to connect with as many viewers as possible," he explains.

He says big-budget spectacles are driving the current numbers, especially during the initial run, but adds, "No film industry can survive on the strength of extravagantly made productions alone. We need films of different scales that can cater to an increasingly diverse audience across different socioeconomic, cultural, and generational strata. Strengthening the theatrical experience will help the industry grow, and then we won't have to depend only on rising ticket prices."