Members of the film industry talk about the magic of watching films on the big screen, even as digital campaigns requesting the government for the opening of cinema halls gain momentum online
BOMBAY TIMES (September 11, 2020)

Cinema halls across the nation are waiting to throw their doors open to patrons. However, on being left out in the Unlock 4.0 phase, the film fraternity, including actors, producers and directors have been speaking about the significance of the big screen experience. With online campaigns like #SupportMovieTheatres’ and #SaveCinema, they are collectively urging the government to re-open cinema halls. BT got in touch with Bollywood celebs, who were unanimous about one thing — nothing can come close to the magic of watching a film on the big screen! Read on...

I MAKE IT A POINT TO GO TO MOVIES, EVEN IF SOMETHING IS AVAILABLE ONLINE OR ON OTT: NIMRAT KAUR
The Lunchbox actress says, “The immortality of the experience you have of watching a film with 200 other people, is irreplaceable. When the lights go out and the music starts, then laughing together with everyone, crying together, getting shocked while watching insane action films — to have the experience of watching all that on the big screen, honestly, nothing quite comes close to that experience. I make it a point to go to the movies, even if something is available online or on OTT. When I want to watch a movie, I just show up: I get a ticket and I am there.”

CINEMA HALLS MUST BE PRESERVED BY US AND BY THE GOVERNMENT: ANUBHAV SINHA
The filmmaker whose recent films include Thappad, Article 15 and Mulk, believes that nothing compares to the experience of consuming cinema in a dark theatre with hundreds of others experiencing the same emotions as you. “Cinema halls aren’t just about movie watching. It’s like watching a live match in a stadium with the crowd, where you collectively share moments of joy and sorrow. A movie moment in a theatre can never be recreated elsewhere, no matter how cheap the big TV becomes. Cinema halls must be preserved by us and by the government. That business is in trouble today with monumental maintenance costs of idle machines and empty seats. When the pandemic gets over and it is safe for all of us to go back to that experience, we must and in hordes,” he says.

IF EVERY BUSINESS IS OPENING, SO SHOULD THE THEATRES, KEEPING SAFETY IN MIND: RANDEEP HOODA
The actor hopes that the government comes up with a balanced solution for the challenges being faced by the film industry. “Theatres have opened in a lot of places across the world. But for the consumption of movies to start, the manufacturing of movies needs to restart as well. I am sure the producers’ association and the government will come up with a solution that would be a balanced one. I cannot comment on when the theatres should open as a lot of preparation needs to go into it, but if everything is opening, so should the theatres, keeping safety in mind. The film industry employs millions of people. I hope we get back on track and contribute to people’s bread and butter, including mine,” he says.

WITH THIS UNPRECEDENTED SITUATION, I FEEL LIKE A PART OF MY ROUTINE HAS GONE FOR A TOSS: NITESH TIWARI
An engineer who dabbled in advertising before getting into films, Dangal director Nitesh Tiwari is an avid movie buff. He says, “I have been a movie buff since my childhood. I love to watch movies in theatres, so much that I saw Agneepath (the old version) six times and Satya, five times in a theatre. I have even watched a movie alone in a theatre after buying six tickets for myself, because the theatre guys wanted a minimum of six people to start the show,” he reminisced, adding, “As a filmmaker, I always go to different theatres to watch my movie with the audience. There is so much to learn from the way the audience reacts to what you have created. However, with this unprecedented situation, I feel like a part of my routine has gone for a toss.”

PEOPLE TELL ME THEY ARE BORED OF WATCHING MOVIES AT HOME: MADHUR BHANDARKAR
Vouching for the magic of the big screen, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar said, “In India, as they say, cricket and cinema are like religions. And theatre is a huge and popular platform for films. If the theatres open, people will surely come to the theatres. People keep telling me how bored they are to sit and watch movies at home on their television, computers, and phones. They want to come out and watch them in theatres again. According to the theatre owners, they are so prepared that if the government permits them, they are ready to open the theatres within one day. The number of people going to the theatres might be low, but the spirit will definitely be high.”

— Team BT and ETimes