Plot twist: higher ticket prices do not buy better manners
Are big-screen blockbusters bringing back cinema etiquette? Maybe When a movie becomes an occasion Plot twist: higher ticket prices do not buy better manners Are big-screen blockbusters bringing back cinema etiquette? Maybe When a movie becomes an occasion Plot twist: higher ticket prices do not buy better manners A phone glowing like a mini lighthouse, loud conversations, late arrivals with glaring flashlights and running commentary are familiar irritants in a cinema hall. Yet the mood can feel different when a film arrives as an event. Think Avatar: Fire and Ash, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, Dhurandhar or more recently, Spider-man: Brand New Day – these are films people plan for, book early and choose a premium format to experience.
Aamer Bijli, lead specialist – innovation, film marketing, and digital programming at PVR INOX Limited, says the difference is visible even before the lights go out. When a movie becomes an occasion Amit Mandal, a PhD scholar at Savitribai Phule Pune University, says the scale of premium formats such as IMAX and 4DX turn a screening into an exhilarating spectacle of joy. He says smartphones are rarely used in premium screenings; when someone does reach for one, the glow is hard to miss and can invite social policing. “People are willing to pay more for premium tickets because they want a premium cinematic experience,” Mandal says.
“When a film becomes an event, audiences come for an experience on the big screen. Once the film starts, there is a much stronger sense of attention in the auditorium. Audiences also increasingly police the room themselves, often asking someone to lower a phone’s brightness or stop talking before staff step in. That may also explain why the rules of the auditorium suddenly feel more important during a major release. When people have spent weeks anticipating a film, even a small interruption can feel intrusive. That makes sense when the ticket itself feels like an investment. Premium formats, he believes, elevate moviegoing “from a normal pastime to the level of a thrilling shared experience. A regular screen gives you a seat and a screen. IMAX and 4DX are explicitly selling immersion. The larger screen, surround sound, moving seats and premium pricing all tell the audience that this is not meant to be background entertainment. A full house makes you conscious that you are sharing the moment. Still, psychologist Puja Dutta believes any improvement in etiquette is more likely to be temporary than a permanent behavioural shift. Perhaps event cinema has not taught audiences how to behave. It has just reminded them why they came to a theatre in the first place. Plot twist: higher ticket prices do not buy better manners
They tend to arrive earlier, spend more time in the lobby and take in the atmosphere.
A person may spend ₹1,000 on a ticket and still spend the next three hours checking WhatsApp. Because of unruly audiences, says the problem is not cheering or laughing, vishakha Singh , an event specialist who has consciously stopped going to theatres.
Regular moviegoer Amruta Jadhav Raorane, says basic consideration should apply regardless of the film. But if someone is there just to do time pass, whether the movie is good or bad, that person will not think of others in most cases,” she says. ~Puja Dutta, a psychologist ~Vishakha Singh, an event specialist Looking for trusted parenting advice? A more expensive ticket can only go so far. Cinema etiquette, unlike the popcorn combo, does not come with a premium upgrade. Which is why the more interesting question may not be whether audiences behave better during event films, but whether they feel more invested in behaving better. “I’m not asking for an audience which remains completely quiet. The joy of a full cinema erupting in laughter, gasps or applause can never be achieved at home. But minimum amount of thoughtfulness is needed. For her, the turn-offs are phones, constant commentary, recording and late arrivals. She is cautious about calling event films more civilised. “If a person is in a movie theatre to watch the movie, he will watch it. Follow TOI Parenting Circle on Instagram for expert guidance, relatable stories, and practical tips delivered every day. Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.