Ram Gopal Varma took to his social media handle and wrote a detailed note in his signature style, justifying the increased ticket prices for Sukumar‘s Pushpa 2: The Rule, starring Allu Arjun. The film’s producers opted to hike the ticket prices, priced at over ₹2000 in some theatres in Delhi and Mumbai.
He wrote, “One man named Subbarao set up an idli hotel and charged Rs 1000 per plate. This is because Subbarao believes his idlis are superior to other idlis. But, if the customer doesn’t find Subbarao’s idlis worth it, they won’t go to his hotel. Subbarao is the only one to lose in this scenario.”
RGV also commented that those who complain about the affordability of “Subbarao’s idlis” for the common man are being “silly,” comparing it to arguing that a “seven-star hotel is not affordable to the common man.” He explained that just as a seven-star hotel charges for its ambiance, Pushpa 2’s value lies in its “seven-star quality” as a film.
He also mentioned that “democratic capitalism works on class differences” and emphasized that films are made for “profit, not public service.” He questioned, “When no one complains about the prices of luxury cars, buildings, or branded clothes, why cry over movie tickets?” He further pointed out, “Is entertainment essential? Is it more essential than housing, food, and clothing?” Adding, “Compared to the prices of those necessities, the ticket price of Pushpa 2 is low.”
He also highlighted that people have the option to either skip watching the film or wait until the ticket prices drop. However, he pointed out the irony in how tickets continue to sell out despite the higher prices.
“Let’s come back to Subbarao’s hotel. The price of the idli has clearly worked. The proof is in the fact that even Subbarao can’t find a place to sit in the hotel—all the seats are booked!”
As RGV noted, the team behind Pushpa 2: The Rule announced that the film had surpassed ₹100 crore in worldwide advance bookings, with $2.5 million in pre-sales in the US alone. A sequel to Sukumar’s 2021 hit Pushpa: The Rise, the film continues the story of red sanders smuggler Pushpa Raj, played by Allu Arjun. Rashmika Mandanna reprises her role as his wife, Srivalli, while Fahadh Faasil stars as his adversary, Bhanwar Singh Shekawat.
