MAM
PVR hopes for Rs 300 crore ticket sales through PayTM in first year
NEW DELHI: PVR Theatres, which had entered into a strategic tie-up with PayTM few days ago, hopes to sell tickets worth Rs 300 crore on PayTM’s e-commerce platforms in the first year, besides selling tickets from ticket counters and other channels.
PVR Joint Managing Director Sanjeev Kumar Bijli told indiantelevision.com in an exclusive chat that this was a strategic business tie–up and therefore refused to comment about the monetary portion of the deal.
The deal was part of PVR’s nationwide foray in the on-line movie ticket segment. There will be a complete 360 effort to publicize the deal on all PVR’s 501 screens. The tie up would be visible on all PVR screens. PayTM is also launching a 360 degree campaign to publiclise the new deal.
PayTM founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma, while declining to give any specific figures for the campaign on his company’s deal with PVR told indiantelevision.com that PayTM had spent Rs 1,670 crore on marketing in the previous year. He said that PVR would itself handle the marketing on its screens and PayTM would handle it outside.
Asked how PayTM would be different from the PVR App or bookmyshow.com,Sharma said that there would be less clicks for booking a ticket and there wouldbe cash backs on every booking along with loyalty premiums. At a later stage, snacks during intervial could also come through PayTM, thus reducing huge queues.
He also said that PayTM had 125 million (12.5 crore) registered users andhandled 90 million (9 crore) orders per month and it would benefit from this tie-up, with PVR getting a different clientele than that normally queues online or offline for cinema tickets.
Earlier this week at a press meet during which the tieup was announced,Sharma had described the PVR chain as the most marquee brand to tie-up with PayTM.
Answering a question, Sharma had said that around 3.5 million (35 lakh) tickets are sold online daily in China, and there should be no reason for Indians not following suit.
PVR’s Bijli said the new tie-up also included trailers of the films to be released in two or three months on the PayTM app, thus covering films that were running and those still to be released. This would help the viewer to decide on the film that should be seen.
PVR chief of strategy Kamal Gianchandani said that the aim was to take online bookings up to sixty per cent. At present, around one-third of the buyers take their tickets online. When asked about whether any seats were kept out of the ambit of online bookings, he said these number was less than ten for any last minute bookings and are opened half hour before the show.
PayTM is the first e-commerce site to add cinema booking as a category,Gianchandani said, adding that this would add to the user experience for the ease in booking tickets.
When you plan to buy medical insurance for your family, the first question is often about savings. You may assume that buying online automatically means paying less, but that is only part of the picture. The real issue is not just whether the premium looks lower, but whether the policy gives you suitable family health insurance without adding avoidable costs later.
Buying online can sometimes appear more budget-friendly because you can compare plans, review features, and complete the process without depending entirely on offline assistance.
Still, a lower visible price does not always mean better value. To understand whether you can truly save more, you need to look at the full buying experience and the policy terms together.
Why Online Purchase Can Look More Economical
When you explore family health insurance online, you usually get access to plan details in a more direct and organised way. This can make the buying journey feel simpler and more transparent.
A few reasons online purchases may seem cost-effective include:
● Easier comparison of policy features
● Direct access to premium details
● The ability to review inclusions and exclusions at your own pace
● Fewer chances of making a rushed decision
● More control over the plan selection process
This does not mean every online option is automatically cheaper. It simply means the online route may help you assess choices more carefully, and that itself can influence how much value you get from the policy you choose.
Saving Money is Not Only About a Lower Premium
A lower premium often catches your attention first, but that should not be the only measure of savings. If you buy medical insurance based only on what looks affordable at the start, you may overlook conditions that matter later.
A family health insurance policy should be judged on overall value, including:
● The scope of cover
● Waiting period terms
● Exclusions
● Room eligibility conditions
● Sub-limits, if any
● Claim-related terms
● Renewal conditions
If the premium is lower but the policy has stricter internal conditions, the apparent saving may not feel meaningful when you actually need hospitalisation support.
So, the better question is not only whether online purchase costs less, but whether it helps you select a plan that remains financially sensible over time.
Comparing Plans Online Can Prevent Overspending
One clear advantage of the online route is that it allows you to compare different options without pressure. This can help you avoid paying for features you may not need or missing features that matter for your family.
Before you buy medical insurance online, look closely at:
● Who can be covered under the plan
● How the sum insured works for the family
● Whether day care procedures are included
● How pre-existing illness rules are explained
● Whether add-ons are optional or built in
● How clearly the policy wording is presented
This level of comparison can support better decision-making. In many cases, savings come not only from the premium itself but from choosing a policy with fewer surprises.
Online Discounts Should be Viewed Carefully
Online discounts can make a plan look attractive, but they should always be read alongside the policy details. A discount may reduce the upfront cost, yet the true worth of the policy depends on what it covers and how it responds during a claim.
When reviewing discounted online plans, check whether the policy has:
● Treatment-specific limits
● Room rent restrictions
● Co-payment clauses
● Disease-wise waiting periods
● Claim deductions linked to the hospital category
● Limited cover for selected benefits
These points are important because a policy that looks cheaper at purchase may involve more out-of-pocket spending later. That is why discount-led buying should be replaced with detail-led buying.
Final Thoughts
Yes, buying online can sometimes help you save more when choosing family health insurance, but only if you look beyond the headline price. The online route may give you better visibility, easier comparison, and more time to review the policy terms.
That can support smarter choices and may reduce the chances of paying for a plan that does not suit your family well.
If you want to buy medical insurance online, treat savings as more than a discount. The real advantage lies in choosing family health insurance that balances affordability, clarity, and meaningful coverage for your household.
