PVR INOX MD Ajay Bijli has responded to criticism over cinema ticket and food prices, asserting that the multiplex chain’s pricing remains reasonable when viewed against official data. Speaking in a podcast interview with Business Today, Bijli said the company’s average ticket price stands at ₹259, arguing that this reflects value for the theatrical experience offered.
“If you look at our results, our average ticket price is Rs 259. For Rs 259, getting the experience we are giving—if it was a problem—then we wouldn’t have got the number of people that we’ve got,” he said.
Bijli added that critics often focus on premium formats such as Director’s Cut or select high-end locations, where tickets cost ₹600–700, and mistakenly generalise those prices across the entire chain.
Addressing frequent complaints about expensive popcorn, Bijli clarified that prices start at ₹159, while ₹400 options are limited to luxury cinemas and include unlimited refills. “People only read the headlines. They don’t read the whole thing,” he said.
On performance, Bijli noted that PVR INOX has posted around ₹450 crore in EBITDA in the first half of the year, with strong momentum continuing into the third quarter. He said nearly eight million patrons have already visited cinemas this year, adding, “We are thriving. We are back.”
