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20 April 2024

Salman Khan is wrong: ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ tickets still available in Dubai

Salman Khan seen at an 'Ek Tha Tiger' promotional event in Mumbai July 12. (Getty Images)

Published
By Sneha May Francis

Sorry to burst your bubble Salman Khan, but tickets to your massive Eid release ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ is still available in Dubai.

It contradicts his statement to a prominent Indian news channel that ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ tickets in Dubai have been sold-out. That too, a week before its release.

When 'Emirates24|7' checked, with all the three movie showcasers in Dubai, it was not a sell-out. At least, not yet.

Tickets are easily available, with online bookings still open for all the shows.  Not a single show at Reel Cinemas, Vox Cinemas and Grand Cinemas have been marked a sell-out.

During his interview with a prominent Indian news channel, Salman, nonchalantly claimed that tickets for his movie in Dubai are a sold-out.

“I’ve heard that no one’s getting tickets in Dubai. A week after the bookings opened, it is sold-out. This is nine days before the release of the film,” he told the channel.

The movie releases on a Wednesday, and not Thursday, to mark Indian Independence Day celebrations.

There’s no denying that there’s a massive buzz around Salman’s movie, but the figures just don’t match his claims, at least not yet.

That said, many expats aren’t willing to wait it out and have already booked their tickets. “I’ve already booked my tickets for the first show. There’s no rush now, but I don’t want to take any chances. I’m a huge Salman fan and I have always watched his movie first day, first show,” claims Reena.

Earlier story: Salman's 'Ek Tha Tiger' ticket price hiked in India... What about Dubai?

- Ajanta Paul

Salman Khan is insured of a roaring business when his movie 'Ek Tha Tiger' hits the theatres in India on August 15.

The business will be good not because 'Tiger' is coming to his fans on a national holiday (Aug 15, Indian Independence Day) but is being released during the festive season of Eid as well.

But watching Salman Khan-Katrina Kaif's film is going to cost fans a little expensive in India.

Newspapers in India have reported that most multiplexes have decided to hike the ticket prices by as much as 12-16 per cent. So, a 12-16 per cent hike will come out to be about Rs 20 per ticket.

During the festive seasons fans who are waiting eagerly for the Salman flick will have to shell out an additional Rs20 for the tickets.

Mosy multiplexes will run the film in 90 percent of its screens, and despite occupying most screens the ticket rates will be hiked.

But fans in the UAE can heave a sigh of relief as ticket prices will remain the same in the theatres here.

Michelle Walsh, Senior Marketing Manager, VOX Cinemas says, "Plans to hike ticket price is by Indian cinemas only, UAE cinemas won’t change prices for this movie".

Other cinemas also voice the same fact and confirmed that there are no plans to increase the prices. Theatres managers are convinced on the success of the movie and confident of good collection. 

A huge Salman Khan fan, Rachita Sood, who has already booked her tickets from VOX cinemas says, "I cannot miss a Salman Khan movie come what may. My husband has already bought the tickets and it's the usual price."

For Sachin, who works in a bank, it's a relief that the ticket prices have not gone up, "It's good that they are not increasing the price. When we go to watch a movie it's not just the movie tickets, there are so many other expenses like food, drinks, interval snacks. At the end of the day I end up shelling quite a lot of money."

This is not the first time that ticket prices have gone up for particular movies in India during special occasions like Diwali, Eid, Chritsmas and on a national holiday.

Earlier Salman's 'Ready' and 'Bodyguard' was also priced higher than regular ticket rates.

Multiplex and single screen owners have complete confidence that Salman's 'Ek Tha Tiger' will do good business and have predicted it to be blockbuster.