NOW SHOWING: A BUZZY CINEMA HALL, AGAIN!
GETTING USED TO THE NEW NORMAL WHAT WILL PLAY ON THE BIG SCREEN?
As film theatres get set to restart next month, we talk to industry insiders as to how they are prepping for it, and what content will be shown on the big screen
After close to four months of being nonoperational, the Multiplex Association of India (MAI)’S second list of a much-detailed SOPS (standard operating procedures) was received positively by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Cinema owners hope that they get permissions starting August as part of the Unlock 3.0 relaxations.
“This is a more detailed version that we submitted to the government and the response has been positive. I hope that by this month or by the beginning of September, theatres will be up and running,” shares Kamal Gianchandani, CEO, PVR Pictures Ltd.
The new set of SOPS include provisions like one screen at a time, social distancing to be ensured while booking seats, discontinuing use of paper tickets, and the customers are required to wear a facemask mandatorily. Even PPE Kits, containing gloves, masks and sanitisers will be kept available for sale, at reasonable prices.
Devang Sampat, CEO, Cinepolis, says, “Normal sanitisation is something that we’re reinforcing like cleaning of seats,
washrooms etc.”
As of now the release dates of only Sooryavanshi on Diwali and ’83 on Christmas have been announced. So, will there be other films as well?
“There are a quite a few films which are 80-90% ready. But first we need to open. We are prepared and keen to welcome back guests,” explains Rajeev Patni,
COO, INOX, Leisure Ltd.
Calling it a muchneeded relief, film exhibitor Akshaye Rathi says that “it is time for cinemas to make up for the losses that they incurred in the last four months”.
Winning back the confidence of the customers is the priority for theatre owners. “We will make sure that there is safety but it does not interfere with the joy of movie going experience,” says Gianchandani, adding that he is not worried about people not willing to shell out ticket prices.
Finally, the silver screens may brighten up again. The Home Ministry is likely to green-light the reopening of cinema halls, from August onwards, as part of Unlock 3.0. But are theatres ready? And what will they run in their cinema halls, with no fresh content available?
“In the first couple of weeks, we’ve to look at re-releasing old films. Honestly, even we wouldn’t want a huge rush initially as it’d give us time to see how our new systems, with all the [Covid-19 induced] SOPS, are working,” says exhibitor distributor Akshaye Rathi, adding that theatres are looking at mid-range Hindi films such as Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar and Khaali Peeli, besides Hollywood biggies such as Tenet, Mulan and Wonder Woman, and also dubbed south Indian films, before tent-pole films start releasing from October.
At the same time, exhibitors-cinema halls owners agree in unison that “there is no clarity on SOPS yet” by the authorities.
“A logical and viable set of SOPS have to be worked out. I can’t open my cinema hall to face economic losses; I would rather keep it shut,” says Suman Sinha, owner of the Regent theatre in Patna, adding: “At the start, we have to look at re-releasing old films. But the catch is that we can’t charge a premium for such movies. We may have to reduce the prices.”
For Maratha Mandir and G7 Multiplex’s executive director Manoj Desai, the “need of the hour is that the government should help us vis-à-vis taxes such as property tax and GST etc.” “Also, what’s the point in running old films? No one would turn up. One suggestion is that at the start we should show old films for free to get people in. Then, how would I recover all the expenses of a cinema hall?” he says.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh feels theatres have to “take baby steps at the start.” “Initially, cinema hall owners should look at rerunning masala entertainers such as Baahubali 2 and War etc.,” he concludes.
I can’t open my cinema hall to face economic losses; I would rather keep it shut. SUMAN SINHA,
OWNER, REGENT THEATRE, PATNA