Multiplexes and theaters have been opened since 10 days, but still the audience is not coming
Since the cases of corona epidemic have reduced across the country, now many exemptions have started getting. In such a situation, orders have been given by various state governments to open theaters in the state. Barring Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, most of the multiplexes in the country have opened from July 30. Although theaters come for 10 days to open, hardly 5-10% people go to the theatres. New films are not being released, due to which the multiplex is closed. The worst condition is of single screen theatres.
There are 9600 theater screens in the country, of which more than 6,000 are single screens and the rest are multiplexes. This business includes food, transportation, publicity and others besides theater workers. Most of the industries in the country have started functioning. Although the work has not started in the entertainment industry yet and still nothing can be said when everything will be as before. Worldwide, the Mortal Kombat film hit theaters as well as digital platforms in April. However, the multiplex chain decided to open theaters with this film, but without success. The film has earned crores worldwide. However, the film did not work in India.
Businesses were closed during the lockdown and single screen owners could not pay their electricity bills and property tax. Many connections have also been cut. If the government does not help and the loan is not arranged, it will prove difficult to start the theater again. So far only the release date of ‘Bellbottom’ has been announced. Single screen owners want the release date of the film to be announced at the earliest so that they can be confident that their business will be able to run without any hiccups.
It is noteworthy that due to Maharashtra, the release date of Hindi films has not been announced yet. The situation will not return to normal till the opening of the Mumbai circuit. Karan Bhatia, a film distributor from North India, said that some single screen theaters have started in Uttar Pradesh. However, not a single single screen has been launched in Delhi. The release dates of some big films have not been announced yet. People are still waiting for the situation to return to normal. There is no hope of improvement in the situation before September. Hollywood movies do not play in multiplexes. In Andhra and Telangana, ‘Timarusu’ and ‘Ishq: Not a Love Story’ were two Telugu film superflops. Not a single housefull board was found anywhere. In some theaters, even shows have to be canceled due to non-availability of audience.
Trade analyst and filmmaker Girish Johar says Akshay Kumar’s ‘Bellbottom’ and Hollywood’s ‘Fast and Furious 9’ will decide their release dates depending on the number of people watching. Theaters in Maharashtra will open before the release of ‘Bellbottom’. If the Mumbai Territory opens by August 15, the theater business can resume.