India, April 16 -- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will implement a 5% annual increase in rental charges for theatres and auditoriums, with the revised rates taking effect from April 1. The hike will vary depending on the size and seating capacity of the theatre and will amount to an average Rs.4,000 annually. The BMC has also said a 5% escalation will be applied every year, going forward.

While the rental increase covers all theatres and auditoriums in Mumbai, the decision has not gone down well with the Marathi theatre community. Marathi plays are staged in a handful of theatres only, and hiking the rent would push ticket rates above the GST exemption limit. This would prove burdensome on audiences and could even discourag...