Paresh Rawal has a problem with recliner seats in multiplexes. The veteran actor, who confirmed his return to Hera Pheri 3 recently, came down strongly on the rising film ticket prices and changing film-watching culture in theatres.
In a conversation with Himanshu Mehta on his podcast, Paresh opened up about the reasons for Hindi films not working at the box-office and said that it is due the choice of subjects. He opined that due to OTT, viewers tastes have evolved but filmmakers haven’t yet taken on the change.
He further criticised the rising ticket prices of theatres and said, “If the aam janta (general public) shuns your film and only the rich class endorses your films, then it’s wrong. If a middle-class family, comprising 5-6 members, go to watch a film, unke Rs. 5000-6000 toh yuh nikal jaate hai (it costs around 5000-6000 easily for the family). Also, there’s no guarantee that the film will satisfy you. On top of that, the kids will of course ask for popcorn, soda and ice cream.”
Slamming the culture of watching films on recliner seats, Paresh said, “You are supposed to watch a film while sitting. Let ke nahin dekhi jaati (it is not meant to be watched while sleeping). You haven’t come to a spa, you have come to see a film! Also, waiters keep roaming around. We have to tell them ‘Hatt, hatt’. Arre it’s a film, not a wedding event.”
He added, “Because of all this gandagi – gold class and all– you don’t feel like going to the cinemas. It’s okay to sit comfortably on a seat. But why sit on a pillow? Aise hi baithna hai toh spa mein jao ya fir mujra dekhne jao (If you want to sit like that, then go to a spa or to watch a mujra)!”
Paresh will be seen next in Sonakshi Sinha starrer psychological horror film, Nikita Roy, which is set to be released in theatres July 18.
