Showtime yet? A look at 2020 release calendar

As theatres around the world gradually reopen, even in India, the release announcements of Akshay Kumar’s Sooryavanshi on Diwali and Ranveer Singh’s ’83 on Christmas has come as a sigh of relief. And according to a recent survey, 54% of Indian movie buffs are eager to get to the theatres within 15-90 days of the lockdown being lifted. While movie theatres have outlined their plans, what’ll the release schedule be like?

FILMS AREN’T READY

Producer Anand Pandit says that it’s not going to be a collective decision. “Each producer or studio is deciding the release date as per their projects. And the exhibitors will most likely decide on a first come, first serve basis,” he says.

Trade analyst Atul Mohan says it will take at least a month to release a film, even after theatres reopen. He explains, “We don’t know when the censor board will start taking applications and screen films. Also, they’ll only accept the films that are complete in all aspects.”

Trade expert Taran Adarsh agrees with Mohan, and citing the examples of Angrezi Medium and Baaghi 3, he says, “The films that released before the situation will be re-released first, as barring one or two films, no other project is ready.”

ADAPTING IS THE KEY

In such a scenario, it’s important to be prepared for any last-minute challenges. “The correct approach is to release in pockets, and see how the reception is. It will save us from a bigger blow,” says Ajit Andhare, chief operating officer at Viacom18 Studios, which is backing Aamir Khan’s Laal Singh Chadda, for which Andhare says a 2020 release is farfetched.

Preetham Daniel of

Harkness Screens opines, “Almost 25-30% of the overall revenue comes from international distribution. If there’s an opportunity to release a film outside of India first, then why not?”

BIG FILMS FIRST

Star-studded big films are expected to propel business. “It’s more about releasing the right film. People will not step out to watch a second or third level film. Only a Salman Khan or an Akshay Kumar film can get them to cinemas,” feels Daniel.

Exhibitor Akshaye Rathi feels the understanding among producers has to be stronger. He says, “They’ve to decide to not bite each other off, and take a fair call. You’ll no longer see big clashes.”

WINDOW FOR SMALL FILMS

Pandit adds, “Smaller films will initially have a better run as bigger ones are likely to release once a sizeable audience is available.”

Mohan feels that now, multiplexes will be rolling out the red carpet for non-star films. “A couple of Sharman Joshi’s films are ready, like Babloo Bachelor. In normal circumstances, multiplexes wouldn’t have paid any heed but now things are different,” he says.

Ranveer Singh’s ’83 and Aamir Khan’s Laal Singh Chadda

Akshay Kumar’s Sooryavanshi