Are Movie Tickets and Popcorn Expensive? Why Did Shilajit Get Angry with Moviegoers?

Shilajit is known for his straightforwardness and clarity, both in his words and actions. He is a versatile singer and actor who is known for his refined taste. Recently, he attended a screening of a movie at the prestigious ‘Academy of Fine Arts’ in Kolkata. Despite the high cost of the ticket, he decided to go and watch the film. However, did the environment live up to his expectations? Did he encounter any problems in the screening room? All these questions prompted Shilajit to post a long rant on his social media. Despite shedding light on the issues he faced during the screening, he hinted at the need for a solution without directly criticizing. He also raised a clear point about implementing a new rule for concerts during his concert. Just as he articulately highlighted in his music and Bengali language, he emphasized the importance of maintaining clarity and quality in the arts. Shilajit shared on Facebook, ‘I went to see a movie, and the buzz made me feel like I might miss out if I didn’t watch it. I bought an expensive ticket online for a comfortable seat. The total cost, including taxes and fees, was around four hundred taka. My purpose was not to critique the movie or provide any educational or critical insights – that’s for those who do it for a living. I watched more people today than I usually see when I go to the movies. I had made sure to buy the ticket the previous day, anticipating a crowded evening show on Sunday. As I entered the theater, it seemed almost full, probably filled to half capacity. Perhaps because there were no empty seats from my perspective. However, those who were present witnessed the audience’s interaction from the beginning of the movie. It was interesting to see everyone laughing and enjoying the film. Some silently, some loudly. It’s fascinating to observe how people react when a cat is beaten – do they laugh? And when a madman is hit – do they laugh at the crowd? Rudrineel, the fool, mentioned, ‘What’s the difference between the whole thing and people’s laughter?’ I didn’t find a lot of humor in the movie. I thought it would be a comedy, but even when Sudeep’s character threw a pair of underwear into an actor’s food, the laughs didn’t stop. The music and the actors’ laughter took on a strange tone. I couldn’t hear the men’s laughter. The women, however, were laughing so much they couldn’t hear the quarrel. I thought to myself, what could make women laugh so much about their silly fights? The idea of spending a relaxing day listening to jokes and laughing at them was worth it. Sitting beside me was a young woman in her twenties, who couldn’t stop laughing. She couldn’t understand why Krishna, a look-alike dog named Kuchhapi, was the butt of the boy’s joke.’ I didn’t find the movie very funny. I thought maybe the AC at the Academy of Fine Arts wasn’t working properly. The smell of vegetarian food was nauseating. I eat meat, so I can’t tolerate vegetarian food. That’s why I prefer not to go to movies at these theaters, even though I occasionally visit them. Many people were eating popcorn. The regular salted popcorn cost three hundred fifty taka, without butter. It reminded me of a famous dialogue by Nawazuddin, where he responded with a dialogue from a movie. Bengali movie fans spent two hundred fifty taka on a ticket and enjoyed some basic banter at a high price. However, what’s more important than critiquing the film is analyzing the viewers’ reactions. Based on this critical situation, I urge all Bengali directors and producers to increase the ticket prices from listless popcorn. If those who watched the movie today had paid fifty or a hundred taka more for their tickets, you could have earned five or ten thousand taka more. Please raise the price of Bengali movies. Even if they come to hear jokes and laugh, they’ll pay more for popcorn than for the ticket. Please raise the price… Please raise the price… Those who come to laugh at jokes may have more fun in the morning. Bengali films should cost more than insipid popcorn. If someone doesn’t come, they’re unfairly eating buttered popcorn for a higher price. Who decided that watching films had to be a must? Not in Bengali, but in cinema.’