More than 157 million Indians bought 943 million movie tickets in 2023

In 2023, over 157 million Indians visited theatres, marking a significant 29% increase from the previous year and an 8% growth from pre-pandemic levels. Ormax Media's report, 'Sizing The Cinema: 2024', based on a sample of 8,500 respondents, sheds light on these trends. Telugu-speaking audiences emerge as the most avid cinema-goers, averaging over 9 films annually, followed closely by Tamil and Punjabi audiences, while Hindi audiences lag behind with an average of 3 films per year. Despite criticisms regarding the accuracy of sample-based reports, Ormax Media's findings align closely with actual ticket sales and box-office revenue, bolstering their credibility in the industry.

However, analysts note that despite the impressive growth, cinema's reach in India remains relatively low compared to other regions like America and Europe. With television and online streaming platforms commanding vast audiences, cinema's 11% reach among India's population seems modest. Nevertheless, the success of pan-Indian films and the entrenched movie-going habit in South India suggest resilience in the face of rising streaming services. Shailesh Kapoor, founder and CEO, Ormax Media, emphasizes the significance of regional differences in cinema consumption habits, with Telugu and Tamil audiences demonstrating higher regularity compared to Hindi and Hollywood enthusiasts, partly attributed to variations in streaming service penetration and Hollywood's recent setbacks.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.