Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; September 1, 2020)

As per the Unlock 4 guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), cinema halls don’t have permission to resume operations so far. However, open-air theatres can operate from September 21. The Multiplex Association of India has requested the government to consider reopening theatres as they have incurred heavy losses ever since the lockdown was implemented in March. They posted their plea with the hashtag #SupportMovieTheatres, which was trending online. Theatre owners have said that they have all the necessary precautions in place to ensure the safety of their patrons. However, the decision to not allow theatres to resume business has only lengthened their fight for survival. During the Coronavirus lockdown, many filmmakers opted to release their films on OTT platforms, a decision that didn’t go down well with the multiplex chains.

‘FOR SIX MONTHS, THE INDUSTRY HAS BEEN OPERATING WITH ZERO REVENUE’
While some films were released on digital platforms, a few were pushed ahead in the hope of a theatrical release. Shibashish Sarkar, Group CEO, Reliance Entertainment, whose films — Sooryavanshi and '83 — are awaiting release, said, “The decision to keep cinemas out of Unlock 4 is not only frustrating for the film industry, but also devoid of logic. The daily COVID-19 cases in the country have gone from 500 to 80,000, but not because of cinema halls, as they have been shut for the last six months. The entire country, every single sector, has opened up with precautions and safety measures, barring cinemas. Across the globe, by and large in all countries, cinemas are open and operating successfully. For six months, the industry has been operating with zero revenue. Loss of Rs. 9,000 crore has already been incurred. Thousands of workers and employees are on the road after losing jobs and pay cuts. The industry has been requesting grants, subsidies and support for the last six months, but nothing has come.” Recently, Christopher Nolan’s Tenet released in countries where theatres are functional.

‘HOW ARE SINGLE SCREENS SUPPOSED TO SUSTAIN?’
Film exhibitor and distributor Akshaye Rathi, who owns a chain of single-screen theatres, added, “The theatre business supports over 15 lakh people and their families. Multiplex chains may survive given their financiers, but what about single-screen owners like us? We are paying from our savings for months now, but how are we supposed to sustain? I am happy to keep my theatres shut till the vaccine is available, provided we are given some economic relief.”

ARE DRIVE-IN CINEMAS THE FUTURE?
Some multiplex owners are exploring the options of drive-in or open-air cinemas, but that is still a far-fetched idea. An exhibitor said, “Where is the space for that in a city like Mumbai? Also, for that idea to take off, you need time. It can’t happen overnight.” Exhibitor Manoj Desai added, “I am surprised that the guidelines allow open-air cinemas, which barely exist today.” Meanwhile, some multiplex chains are pleading with mall owners for a rent waiver for the months that they have been shut.

‘WILL HAVE TO RECONSIDER THE RELEASE PLANS OF OUR FILMS’
Shariq Patel, CEO, Zee Studios, said, “We were hopeful that cinemas would open in September and gradually bring people back to theatres by Diwali. But, it’s difficult to say what will happen next. We were hopeful that Khaali Peeli, which is ready, would open in cinemas, but now we will have to revisit the plan completely. We had put out a teaser hoping things will be different from September, but we will now have to reconsider the release plans for the existing films on our slate.”

‘SAFETY IS A PRIORITY’
Producer Ramesh Taurani said, “I feel conflicted because our business is suffering, but these are unprecedented times and the safety of each citizen is a priority.” Filmmaker Boney Kapoor added, “I am totally for the release of movies in theatres whenever they open. Cinemas should be supported by all of us. At the same time, I also respect the decision made by the authorities, which is to keep the patrons safe, and open the theatres when it’s the safest for us.”

— With inputs from Rachana Dubey