Madhuri Dixit has weighed in on the evolving relationship audiences share with theatres, pointing out that soaring ticket prices and the ease of OTT platforms are reshaping how and when people choose to
watch films.
Speaking to IANS, the veteran actor acknowledged that while strong films still manage to pull crowds, the economics of a family outing to the cinema has made viewers far more selective than before.
Why families Are Thinking Twice Before Heading To Theatres
According to Madhuri, the rising cost of tickets plays a significant role in determining theatre footfall. For families, a movie outing is no longer a casual decision.
“If the film is good, it will run, and you have seen a few films performing well in theatres recently. So it is not as if films are not running. However, the cost of tickets is very high. When a family goes to the cinema, they have to spend a lot of money, so they really need to budget and think carefully about which film to watch and which not to watch,” she said.
She stressed that audiences are now prioritising value for money, often reserving theatre visits only for films that feel truly worth the expense.
How OTT Convenience Has Changed Viewing Patterns
Madhuri also highlighted how OTT platforms have altered daily viewing habits. With films readily available at home, convenience has become a decisive factor.
“Because of OTT platforms, movies are literally at your fingertips. You can watch them at home whenever you want, when you get the time,” she explained.
The actor added that long workdays further discourage weekday theatre visits. “By the time people return from work, it is already 8.30 or 9.00 in the evening. After that, going out to watch a film becomes quite difficult. Weekends are the only time when people can actually go, when they are free.”
Cinema Still Has A Future, Says Madhuri
Despite acknowledging these challenges, Madhuri remains optimistic about the future of theatres. She believes the shift does not signal decline, but rather a need for course correction.
“On OTT platforms, you can watch a film at any time, at your convenience, and it is cheaper to watch a film at home. You can make all the popcorn at home and enjoy it. There are many reasons for this change, but I do not see a bleak future. I just think some things can be corrected to make the cinema experience better for people,” she concluded.
Madhuri’s Recent Work
Madhuri Dixit was last seen in Mrs Deshpande, where she starred alongside Priyanshu Chatterjee and Siddharth Chandekar, earning praise for her measured and intense performance.
