PIL against black marketing of tickets for 'Baahubali'

In the name of benefit and premiers shows, a film crazy public , which is desperate to watch the big-budget movie Baahubali, is practically being looted. Even tickets that are meant to be sold for the regular shows are being sold in the black market for huge amounts. And this is said to be done by none other than those associated with the film trade itself – distributions and exhibitors.
READ: Bahubali a copy of Hollywood films?
This issue has been brought to the notice of the High Court in Hyderabad in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the president of Cine Prekshaka Sangham, Narasimha Rao. In the PIL filed on Thursday, a day before the release of Baahubali, the film goers’ association president also pointed out that unless there were enough police personnel at all the theatres, there was a chance of film fanatics dying in stampedes, especially for the Rs 10 ticket.
"When Magadheera was released, seven people died in stampedes.Considering that Baahubali is being released with a lot of hype, there would be unmanageable crowds at the theatres," Narasimha Rao said.
Directed by S S Rajamouli, the film which is said to have been made with Rs 200 crore, has been in the making for the last two years. Both in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the film is being released in practically all theatres.
It is said that several premier shows are to be organized in theatres at 1 am on Friday and also at 5 am. In Hyderabad, these shows have been planned in at least 15 theatres, it is learnt. For these unauthorized shows, the tickets are being priced as high as Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 when the actual price of tickets is Rs 10 to Rs 70.
Moreover in Andhra Pradesh, it is learnt that exhibitors and distributors have planned special shows for the state 'capital fund'. For these shows, the tickets are said to be priced at Rs 10,000. "In Rayalaseema, theatre owners flouting all rules screen shows for 24 hours though only four shows are allowed. This is what has been planned," Narasimha Rao said.
In the past few days, since the advance booking began for Baahubali which releases this Friday, movie goers have complained that they were not getting tickets. The strategy of those associated with the movie trade has been to put on sale some tickets and the rest are being sold in black by themselves but on the sly.
As a result of all this fraud, it is the commercial taxes department of the government that is deprived of revenue. The commercial taxes department has to get data from theatres on how many tickets have been sold and on that occupancy, the tax of 15 per cent on each ticket is to be paid.
If the department relies only on the information supplied by theatres, it will be taken for a ride. Huge amounts that are being collected through benefit shows and premier shows go unaccounted. And even the tickets are being sold in the black get reflected in the accounts as sold only as per the normal ticket rates.
"There is a huge loot taking place. The government has to step in to see that the public is not looted and also to see that it is not deprived of its revenue," Narasimha Rao said.
For latest Bollywood updates follow us on Twitter >>> @TOIEntertain
For the latest in Bollywood news, like us on Facebook >>> TOIEntertain
For more interesting Bollywood news and pictures follow us on Pinterest>>> timesofindia
For latest Bollywood updates follow us on G+ >>> The Times of India Entertainment
WATCH:Karan Johar and SS Rajamouli bond over Baahubali - TOI