Movie tickets are getting pricier in Indian cities

Experts say while the big-screen magic still matters, it must come at a price that doesn't hurt the pocket.

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But going to the theatre set him back considerably - a seat at a Delhi multiplex cost 500 rupees ($6; £4), nearly a third of his weekly pocket money.

"I enjoyed the movie, but the price was a sore point," he said. "Popcorn was another 500 rupees, so I skipped it."

He's not alone. Rising ticket and snack prices mean moviegoers are cutting down on their trips to cinema and moving towards cheaper streaming options.

Harsh Verma, 38, looks back on a time when going to the movies didn't feel like a luxury.