Do you think ticket rates are too high to bear? Nagarjuna doesn't think so. "Prices of all commodities are shooting up. Cinema ticket rates have been the same", he rues. His logic is simple: Ticket rates are not high when compared to the money cinegoers spend on popcorn or cool drinks.

He rebuffs the criticism happily made against superstars and star directors who are regularly pooh-poohed for demanding astronomical amounts as remuneration. "Nobody would be given a big remuneration if they do not carry worth. Why single out our remunerations when there are so many other problems?" he shoots back.

Nag may not be right in arguing for ticket rates hike, but he is definitely right in making the other argument. If ever big remunerations were justified, it is only now. Had Businessman, Racha and Dammu been made by little mortals, they would not have lasted a week. It is not only Tollywood heroes/directors but superstars in Hindi and Tamil, too, have been prized with spectacular amounts. If there is so much importance for faces than substance, the blame must be laid at the doorsteps of audience. Why grudge the fortune of the lucky few?