New Delhi, Feb. 12 -- As ticket prices soar, cinema halls across India are witnessing a sharp decline in footfall, affecting not just Bollywood but regional film industries like Kannada, Punjabi, and Marathi as well.

While higher ticket costs have played a role in keeping audiences away, industry insiders argue that the real culprit is lack of compelling content.

With streaming platforms offering quick alternatives and theatre chains prioritising big-budget films, smaller productions are struggling to find their place-raising concerns about the future of regional cinema. According to media consulting firm Ormax, Telugu theatrical footfall dropped by 12% last year, Kannada by 13%, and Punjabi by 20%.

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