Thanjavur: At least 13 activists, including the founder president of Tamil Maanila Forward Bloc (TMFB), were arrested when they attempted to besiege a theatre in Thanjavur on Friday, for collecting exorbitant prices for tickets for the Rajnikanth-starrer, ‘Kabaali.’

Three theatres in Thanjavur city were screening the latest Rajnikanth-starrer that was released today – Jupiter, Vijaya, and Rajarajan. But it was alleged that the theatres were charging anywhere between Rs.200 and Rs.300 per ticket, while according to the Tamil Nadu Cinema Regulation Rule, 1957, the prices shouldn’t be more than Rs.120.

Subsequently, the activists of Tamil Maanila Forward Bloc (TMFB), led by its founder president Durai Sasikumar, came in a procession to Jupiter theatre and raised slogans, protesting the collection of exorbitant ticket prices. They also demanded that the district administration should take action against the theatres for collecting such high prices in violation of the Tamil Nadu Cinema Regulation Rule,1957. The protesters were arrested when they attempted to besiege the theatre.

“It is an offence to charge more than the prices fixed by the government,” Durai Sasikumar said, and demanded that the district administration cancel the license of the theatres collecting exorbitant prices for tickets.