MULTIPLEXES AT ALL-TIME LOW
With no signs of theatres reopening amid Unlock 2.0, the Multiplex Association of India is in a real fix
As India get used to the Unlock 2.0 phase, cinema halls continue to remain shut according to the central government guidelines, much to the disappointment of the Multiplex Association of India (MAI), which on Thursday said in a statement that it was “demotivating and disheartening”. They also made an appeal to at least, allow operation of cinema houses in non-containment zones in the country.
Shibasish Sarkar, CEO of Reliance Entertainment, says, “As part of the whole ecosystem, we have the similar thought as theirs. I agree that government is taking precautions, but if you’re opening up salons and malls, then why not theatres? At least in cinemas, everything is in a very controlled environment.”
MAI also stressed that an early decision to allow cinemas to open up will only help the mobilisation of resources in the film industry’s ecosystem, and would lead to its gradual resurrection.
Extending his full support to the association, film exhibitor Akshaye Rathi says that the phase we’re in right now is such that opening or shutting enterprises isn’t going to stop the virus. “It’s not that cinemas are going to be the reason behind the spread of the virus. The theatres have been shut for over 100 days, but the spread has not been contained or controlled. So, to let enterprises keep bleeding and give rise to more unemployment is certainly not a good move,” he opines.
According to MAI, the multiplex industry is the backbone of Indian film industry and employs more than two lakh people and accounts for 60% of revenues of film business. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh feels that it’s still a hugely debatable issue if theatres should reopen. He says, “The government knows best, but there are a lot of livelihoods at stake, people are out of work because theatres aren’t functioning. If not everywhere, at least in the safer zones, they should look at opening them.”
However, film producer Anand Pandit feels that such decisions should be left to the government, and there is no point jumping the gun given the spike in the number of cases, especially in metros like Delhi and Mumbai.
“We’ve to be reasonable and not doubt the government. Health and safety are the most important things right now, entertainment comes a little later. I’m sure as soon as the government thinks that it’s safe, they’ll open the cinemas. They understand that people need to divert their minds from the pandemic, and cinema is the only medium to do so,” explains Pandit.
Meanwhile, industry experts also feel that it’s time for the government to provide some sort of compensation to the film industry, which is facing financial stress.
Citing the example of the New Zealand government, trade expert Atul Mohan says they’ve given $48 million (₹360 crore approx) to their country’s film industry to help them revive, and he hopes “something similar” can be done here, too.
Rathi adds in agreement, “We’ll need grants and subsidies if you want us to remain shut for the next couple of months. If not, then let us earn our living.”