Guwahati, Assam – Anticipation for "Roi Roi Binale," Zubeen Garg's final film, has been met with both excitement and disappointment as reports emerge of sudden ticket price hikes in several cinema halls across Guwahati. The film, directed by Rajesh Bhuyan, is scheduled to release on October 31, 2025, and is already breaking pre-release records. However, the increased ticket costs have sparked outrage among fans, who feel that cinema owners are exploiting the public's emotions following Garg's recent death.
"Roi Roi Binale" has generated significant buzz as it marks the last cinematic appearance of the legendary singer-actor Zubeen Garg. Garg's untimely death in Singapore last month has added a poignant layer to the film's release, intensifying public interest and sentiment. The film has already secured a record-breaking 162 shows across Guwahati and has made history by being the first Assamese film to secure 10 screens in Bengaluru.
However, this widespread anticipation has been marred by reports of inflated ticket prices. At Cinepolis, Central Mall, normal seat tickets have jumped from ₹180 to ₹410, executive tickets from ₹220-230 to ₹439, premium tickets from ₹250-300 to ₹460, and VIP tickets from ₹400-450 to ₹650. Similar trends have been observed at PVR City Center, where the first show at 7 am has classic seats priced at ₹360 (previously ₹200–220), prime seats at ₹380 (previously ₹250), and prime-plus at ₹420 (previously around ₹400). While some cinema halls have only moderately increased prices by ₹20-30, the significant hikes in major multiplexes have drawn criticism.
The "Roi Roi Binale" team addressed the issue in a statement on Facebook, clarifying that the price surge was due to dynamic pricing, a system used by multiplex chains like PVR and Cinepolis where ticket prices increase automatically based on demand. The team emphasized that this system applies to all films but requested cinema halls to maintain the original fixed ticket rates for "Roi Roi Binale". Authorities have reportedly agreed to this request, and audiences should be able to purchase tickets at the previously decided prices soon.
Shyamantak Gautam, a producer of the film, has also pledged to lower ticket prices, acknowledging that the elevated costs could pose difficulties for Zubeen's fans. He explained that while the price hike was implemented by distributors and cinema hall owners through dynamic pricing, he would take immediate action to reduce them, even if it meant bearing the loss from the production team's share.
Despite the controversy surrounding ticket prices, "Roi Roi Binale" has already registered nearly ₹50 lakh in pre-release sales, a historic feat for the Assamese film industry. The film is a musical love story where Zubeen Garg plays a blind artist. The film's director, Rajesh Bhuyan, stated that over 60 halls outside Assam, including those in metropolitan cities, would screen "Roi Roi Binale".
As the release date approaches, fans are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to witness Zubeen Garg's final performance on the big screen. The film is not just a movie but a tribute to Garg's creative soul and his boundless love for Assamese music and storytelling.
