SILVER SCREEN TO BRIGHTEN UP?
Even as government’s unlock 1.0 has no mention on when the cinema halls will open, we talk to experts what the future holds for theatre businesses
India is yet to be pulled out of its shutdown slumber. But on May 30, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued new guidelines for phased reopening of areas outside the containment zones. However, reopening of cinemas halls — that have been shut since midMarch when lockdown 1.0 came into force — falls in phase 3 and the decision of restarting theatres will be taken after assessing the situation.
Multiplex Association of India (MAI) had requested the central government to allow reopening of theatres from June 30. Last month, MAI had also submitted a safety and precautionary plan for cinemas to the government. According to trade experts, theatres have “already incurred huge losses”.
“It goes without saying that the theatrical business is in shambles but what’s more important right now is people’s safety and survival. It was expected that the government won’t allow theatres to reopen,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh. Producer Ramesh Taurani concurs, adding, “I’m not surprised. Theatres will reopen when establishments such as spas and salons also get the green signal. We have no option but to live with the losses. Every one of us is losing money.”
According to an estimate, the movie business has lost nearly ₹100 crore every week that theatres have remained shut. So, in total, the losses are close to ₹1,000 crore since lockdown started. Exhibitordistributor Akshaye Rathi says: “Since theatre business runs on small margins, there could be collateral damages also. Going by the number of employments we generate, we hope the government will bail the sector out with incentives.”
Taurani hopes that theatres “open properly at one go”. “Nowadays, since Hindi films release simultaneously across the world, it’s imperative that theatres open globally as well,” he says. Rathi puts things in perspective, saying, “Most global [theatre] chains are anyway scheduled to open before India. So, we are confident that the entire theatrical system will be back to a seamless manner within a month of its opening.”