by Joginder Tuteja
The country is coming back to normalcy and Maharashtra, which was one of the worst affected states till about a few weeks back, is also getting back to business in normal mode. However, the entertainment industry continues to suffer, with the state government still allowing cinemas to open. Even though almost all other establishments are now back to work and even schools are set to open soon, cinema halls remain closed.
This is something that has baffled the Bollywood industry as a huge ripple effect is being felt at the box office and affiliate business. The kind of response that films like Bell Bottom, Chehre and Thalaivi have shown, Maharashtra continues to be an element to drive Bollywood business. Bell bottom took the risk and then the face followed suit. However seeing the response, Thalaivi decided to get on OTT early to make the most of the principal. Result? The multiplex did not release the Hindi version and the result was to be seen. Before others start to follow suit, where they start giving up the theatrical business entirely (Shiddat, Sardar Udham, Rashmi Rocket, Chhori have already announced their plans), opening theatres. needed, and now.
Ultimately it’s all about the audience’s call whether they want to go to theaters again and again. Anyway, there will be a rule of 50% occupancy in the beginning. Then it will take time for any kind of situation to return to normal. Hence, one can expect almost optimum business in about a month only. Now cinemas need to be opened if the industry has to make some big gains around Diwali. For the lakhs of people who are directly or indirectly associated with Bollywood and their livelihood is dependent on the theater business, it is expected that a decision will be taken in a week at most.
For quite some time now, biggies like Akshay Kumar’s Sooryavanshi and Ranveer Singh’s ’83 have been waiting for the light of day. These are the tentpole films that could have easily succumbed to the temptation of OTT premiere last year but then they waited. Then of course there is an out and out mass film Satyamev Jayate 2 with John Abraham to revive the single screen business. Similarly for Ajay Devgn’s Maidan and Ranbir Kapoor’s Shamshera, which are awaiting a massive release. All these ready-made films are waiting for the green signal and giving tough competition. Madhavan’s Rocketry is a pan-India film but has a pan-international appeal that can cross boundaries to catch up with audiences across the globe.
Apart from this, believe it or not, there are at least 50 other movies ready with their censor cut and only waiting for theatrical arrival. A huge release across the country and emerging as a good hit would open doors for many others as well. All it needs is Maharashtra to allow them this space and then let the merits of the films as well as the interest of the audience do the rest to get them out of their homes.
This is indeed the need of the hour.
Stay tuned for more updates.
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