The menace of film piracy has badly hit screening of Indian films in Myanmar.

A flood of pirated Indian movies into Myanmar's DVD and VCD market has caused a decline in the audience numbers at theatres showing Indian films, forcing importers and cinema owners to find ways to remain in business, The Myanmar Times reported.

U Hla Kyaing, managing director of Thein Film Importing and Distribution and operator of King Cinema Hall for the past five years, says Indian films screened at theatres were not able to compete with the low price of pirated VCD and DVD versions.

"A legally imported Indian film costs between $4,000 and $10,000, together with screening rights, but pirated versions of even the latest films are already in the market, which keeps audience numbers down," he says.

The audience has declined by more than 65 percent in the past three years, he said, adding that even during weekends and holidays only about 30 percent of the seats in his theatre are filled.

"Watching pirated VCDs at home is less expensive than going to downtown cinemas. There are very few people who think watching a movie at the cinema is more enjoyable than watching a DVD or VCD at home, and those are the ones who still come to the theatres."

Kyaing says the peak years for Indian movies at cinemas in terms of audience were 1999 and 2000, when there were not many television options and the demand for VCDs and DVDs was not high.

"Since then, the decline has been gradual but distinct."

With ticket sales dropping, Kyaing had to rely on income generated from snack sales to cover daily operating expenses, including diesel, maintenance and staff wages.

Despite the problems, he says he would continue working in the business by using lucky draws and other means to promote his cinema.

U Min Din, general manager of Myoma and Shwe Gone cinemas, feels the decline in audience was also caused by repeated showings of the same Indian films.

"Our earning are not high enough to be able to show the latest films all the time," he says. "We can only show three or four new films a year."

It is during popular holidays - such as Thadingyut, the Full Moon Day of Kason and Buddhist New Year - that the cinemas screen new Indian films to maximise audience interest, Din says.