This is a new trick. In the age of social media, when a film gets only average collections on Day One, this has become a new way to create hype — buying your own movie tickets. Not at the theatre counter, but online.
What is the benefit? If online booking shows “housefull,” neutral audiences feel curious and get attracted. They see a booking trend and think the film is running well.
Day before yesterday, this trick was used in major towns across both Telugu states.
For one of the films released yesterday, the producers themselves reportedly bought a large number of tickets.
In Hyderabad multiplexes, they went even harder. The reason is simple — in multiplexes, around 50% of the ticket revenue comes back to the producer anyway.
So inside the theatres, seats look empty, but online booking shows “full.” These numbers get reflected on social media, creating a positive buzz among the public.
Seeing this, another film unit also followed the same method for the first and second shows. These are all small and medium-budget films.
But by spending money like this, what do producers really achieve, apart from burning their own cash?
Such tactics may help only if the film is actually good. If the movie is average, will this trick really work? The real answer will be clear after the Monday test.
