The Indian film industry is struggling with various box office malpractices that raise serious doubts about the actual success of movies. From corporate bulk bookings to block bookings and discounted ticket pricing, as seen in Akshay Kumar’s Sky Force, these tactics create a false image of a film’s performance.
Filmmakers and trade analysts often celebrate records and milestones. But the bigger question is—will the Indian government take action against these unfair practices, just like China did in 2016?
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Back in 2016, China faced a huge box office scam. Authorities found that many studios and distributors were faking ticket sales. The biggest case was Ip Man 3, where fake screenings and manipulated receipts created millions in false earnings.
The Chinese government acted strictly. They fined those involved, publicly exposed over 300 fraudulent cinemas, and even sent some filmmakers and distributors to jail. This crackdown temporarily affected box office growth but helped restore credibility and audience trust.
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India is now facing similar problems. Reports suggest that films are being pushed with corporate bulk bookings to create fake hype. Distributors also buy large numbers of tickets themselves to inflate opening weekend figures. This misleads both the audience and investors.
Heavy discounts on weekday tickets further hide a film’s real performance. Many times, ticket prices are slashed just to make it look like the movie is doing well. Industry experts have often pointed out that the claimed box office numbers do not match actual footfalls in theatres.
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To fix this, the Indian government needs to take strong action. Real-time tracking of ticket sales, strict audits, and heavy fines can bring transparency.
No matter how big or small, any hero, producer, or distributor involved in such scams should face strict legal action. Publicly exposing false box office numbers, just like China did, will also discourage these frauds.
With audiences becoming smarter, fake box office success will not work for long. If India does not act soon, this illusion may collapse—just like it did in China.
