There are still a few weeks left for filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey to hit theaters, but it’s already become one of the most talked-about releases of the year. As advance booking for IMAX screenings began across India on June 8, fans rushed online to grab seats, but were stunned to see ticket prices that were comparable to those of major live events.
In Mumbai and Pune, some premium seats cost so much ₹3,000, making them one of the most expensive movie tickets currently on sale in the country. Surprisingly, the high rates did not dampen the enthusiasm, with many shows seeing brisk bookings and seats disappearing within minutes.
Pune has emerged as the most expensive market
Pune quickly became the center of a pricing debate when moviegoers discovered that evening shows at Cinepolis Aundh and INOX Megaplex were being sold out. ₹1,600 more ₹One ticket is Rs 3,000. Even morning screenings carried hefty price tags ₹from 1,400 ₹2,600. These numbers sparked widespread discussion online, with many fans expressing disbelief at the price of seeing the film.
Among the reactions, a post by user X impressed many. Sharing a screenshot of the ticket prices, he quipped, “Today PVR and Cinepolis turned Pune into Monaco #TheOdyssey.”
Ticket prices vary dramatically across India
Ticket prices are also increasing in many other cities. In Delhi-NCR, Inox Paras has some morning shows available at very low prices ₹from 370 ₹490, offers one of the most affordable ways to watch movies.
However, Mumbai is also seeing equally astonishing prices. At Cinepolis Seawoods, tickets for the evening show are priced between ₹1,800 more ₹2,000. Price of morning show tickets gets even higher in PVR Lower Parel ₹1,000 more ₹2,800, while late night screenings are selling out anywhere ₹1,500 more ₹3,300. Mirage Cinemas IMAX morning show prices in Wadala are in between ₹750 to 1400 and the highest priced ticket for night show is ₹2000.
The price of a premium IMAX screening in Bengaluru is currently around ₹from 900 ₹1,000, while Kolkata’s INOX South City is charging between ₹680 more ₹Rs 710 for evening show.
The wide variation in prices across cities has left many moviegoers wondering how the same movie experience can cost several times more, depending on when and where they want to watch it.
Fans question IMAX premium
Many fans have pointed out that while The Odyssey was shot entirely using IMAX cameras, most theaters in India are not equipped to screen the film in the prestigious IMAX 70mm format that Christopher Nolan is known for.
Echoing this sentiment, an
This trend was visible in all cities. A Bengaluru-based film lover reported that seats at the city’s Koramangala IMAX were “being booked at the speed of light.”
The criticism stemmed from the fact that many Indian multiplexes would screen the film in digital IMAX rather than the full-scale IMAX 70 mm presentation.
Still tickets are disappearing fast
Interestingly, there has been no significant decline in demand due to the protests over ticket prices. If anything, the skyrocketing rates have only fueled the frenzy further, with many premium screenings across India selling out or filling up rapidly within hours of the bookings opening. An X user captured the mood well and wrote, “Odyssey tickets are being sold on a large scale ₹3,200 in India and the most incredible thing is that they are selling out within minutes. Unimaginable madness for Nolan.
Why is the excitement so high?
The film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the legendary Greek hero trying to find his way home after the Trojan War. Tom Holland plays his son Telemachus, while Anne Hathaway plays Penelope.
The supporting cast is equally impressive, including Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o (playing both Helen of Troy and her sister Clytemnestra), Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, and Mia Goth.
The film has earned an R rating, making it only the fourth R-rated title in Nolan’s filmography after Memento, Insomnia, and Oppenheimer.
A rare moment for Indian fans
For many fans, the excitement extends beyond the film. Historically, Indian audiences have often had to wait behind major international markets when it comes to advance booking and premium format rollouts. However, this time, India joined the global booking launch after the US, allowing local audiences to reserve tickets along with fans around the world.
The Odyssey is set to release worldwide on July 17.