SRK says Bollywood needs 'Cheaper Theatres'

Bollywood

superstar Shah Rukh Khan made a compelling case for the future of Indian cinema during his address at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 in Mumbai on Thursday. Participating in a panel discussion titled ‘The Journey: From Outsider to Ruler’, the actor touched upon key challenges facing the industry and offered candid insights on how Bollywood can be revived amid changing audience habits and rising entertainment costs.
‘

Cheaper theatres

in smaller towns are the need of the hour’
In his address, Shah Rukh Khan stressed that the Hindi film industry needs structural changes, starting with affordable theatres across India. “The call of the day is a lot more theatres, simpler theatres and cheaper theatres in smaller towns and cities so that we can showcase Indian films, in whichever language, to a larger majority of Indians at cheaper rates,” he said.
SRK explained that the current concentration of multiplexes in metropolitan cities limits accessibility and drives up ticket prices, discouraging wider viewership. Drawing parallels with China’s expansive theatre model, he remarked, “We keep talking about the China model with regard to the number of theatres; that can happen here as well. It’ll increase footfall.”

Praising PM Modi’s initiative for WAVES
Khan also acknowledged the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for launching the WAVES initiative. “It’s outstanding that the initiative for WAVES has come from the Honourable Prime Minister himself. Or else, film industry members keep crying, ‘Humko industry status kab doge’!” he said, blending gratitude with his trademark wit.
He noted that with digital platforms booming, it’s become increasingly difficult to pull audiences into theatres. Events like WAVES, he said, could help push for reforms and ease production hurdles.
SRK’s previous outing
On the work front, Shah Rukh Khan was last seen in Atlee’s Jawan, an action-packed blockbuster that featured him in a dual role. The film, which tackled corruption and justice, starred Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi alongside SRK.