This is why Aamir Khan-Amitabh Bachchan's Thugs Of Hindostan may become a BLOCKBUSTER!

Diwali is a lucrative period for star-studded films. Over the years, festivals like Eid, Christmas and national holidays, too, have become sought after by filmmakers because superstars also need crutches to carry their movies and register big opening numbers. In the quest of setting new records, the biggies are also known to hike the ticket prices. After Race 3, which released this Eid, now the tickets of Thugs Of Hindostan (TOH) will be a little dearer during Diwali.

According to reliable trade sources, YRF, the makers of the Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Shaikh-starrer have apparently issued a letter (that almost reads like a diktat) to distributors, to increase the price of tickets during the extended four-day weekend by minimum 10 per cent above what they charged for Rajkumar Hirani’s Sanju, starring Ranbir Kapoor. Interestingly, the studio has also asked the exhibitors to reduce the rates by 25 per cent during the week days. The advance booking, online and at the theatres, starts on November 3 for this festival release.

Explaining the reason behind this price directive, a trade source tells us, “While the hiked prices during the weekend means a big jump in the numbers, the rate cut during the weekdays will ensure full houses. People, who may not watch the film during the weekend due to celebrations or exorbitant ticket prices, will definitely be lured to cinemas with the 25 per cent rate cut during the rest of the week. It’s an interesting strategy not just to register huge opening numbers, but also ensure that the cinemas remain full on other days.”

Below is the letter that the studio’s distribution head for Mumbai circuit, Rajesh Malhotra, has reportedly sent out to the exhibitors, single screen and multiplexes. 

“On 8th November 2018, we will be releasing the biggest HINDI movie of this decade ‘THUGS OF HINDOSTAN’.

We want to set some crazy box office records on the opening day, opening weekend and full week so we are looking to a substantial increase in ticket rates across India.

Single Screen Rates:-

Please ensure all cinemas increase rates charged for ‘SANJU’ by a minimum of 10% for the extended 4-day weekend.

On weekdays, the rates must be dropped by 25% from weekend rate.

Multiplex Rates:-

Please ensure all cinemas increase rates charged for ‘SANJU’ i.e. on your BLOCKBUSTER RATE SLAB by a minimum of 10% for the extended 4 days weekend.

On weekdays, the rates must be dropped by 25% from weekend rates. Please use your own discretion, in case, you feel any cinemas should increase rates further than the targeted min percentage increase of 10%!

Please keep three sets of admission rates at cinemas, One set of admission rate before 12.00 PM for all shows. One set of admission rate between 12.00 PM to 6.00 PM for all shows.

One set of admission rate after 6.00 PM for all shows.

The admission rate of the morning shows i.e. shows being held before 12.00 PM should be at least 60% of rate being charged between 12.00 PM to 6.00 PM.

Advance & Online Booking:-

The advance booking & online booking across Multiplexes & Single Screens will start on Saturday 03 November, 2018!

Please e-mail us the rates charged by you at all your cinemas for ‘SANJU’and proposed rates of ‘THUGS OF HINDOSTAN’ for the extended 4-days weekend and weekdays.

It is mandatory that all cinemas should confirm the rates & show timings with our office before commencing the advance booking.”