R Madhavan has offered a candid perspective on how the theatre-going culture has shifted dramatically over the years. In a recent interview, the actor described how the once-immersive big-screen experience has now become cluttered with distractions and rising costs, making it harder for audiences, especially families, to enjoy a film without interruptions.“Earlier, when we used to go to theatres, the choice was simple — either popcorn, samosa, or a drink. That was it. Today, just getting to the theatre itself feels like a task, from traffic to parking to tickets. And once you’re inside, the experience has changed completely,” Madhavan said while speaking to Rosepod.
Phones, menus and pani puri mid-show
The actor illustrated how disruptions during screenings have become common. “At one point, it used to be that once the film began, you only went out during the interval. Now, suddenly you are hit by a flashlight from someone’s phone as they’re reading a menu. In another corner, someone has ordered pani puri and is eating in darkness with the flashlight on their shoulder. These are things the film has to fight against, apart from being good in content,” he explained.
The cost of family outings
Madhavan also touched on how expensive it has become for families to watch films together. “If the film doesn’t engage you, then the wife and husband start blaming each other — ‘You brought me here to watch this?’ It has cost Rs 1200 or more. Then the father rushes out early to get the car out of parking, otherwise he’s stuck in the queue for half an hour. All this adds to the trauma of a theatre visit,” he said.
Madhavan’s upcoming projects
The actor, who was last seen in Aap Jaisa Koi on Netflix and Kesari Chapter 2 in theatres, will next be seen in Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar. The ensemble film, starring Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, and Arjun Rampal, is slated for a December release.
