After remaining shut for almost seven months, cinema halls are all set to welcome moviegoers across the country. Last week, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry issued SOPs for the reopening of theatres, allowing halls to run with 50% capacity. While most states in the country have agreed to allow cinemas to function from this week itself, the decision to open theatres was pending in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Telangana and Assam to name a few till the time of going to press.

Maqbool Khan’s Khaali Peeli, starring Ishaan Khatter and Ananya Panday (which released on an OTT platform last week), is expected to be one of the films to release on October 16, however, the film will release in limited screens across the country, in the states where cinemas will open this week. Meanwhile, filmmaker Sandip Ssingh has announced that he will re-release his film, PM Narendra Modi, in theatres, this week.

Rahul Puri of Mukta A2 cinemas says, “The content from Hindi films has particularly gone to OTT platforms, but there is a fair amount of regional and English content that cinemas could look at. The first couple of weeks are going to be very crucial. Discussions have opened with producers to find a way to bring original content back to cinemas. The cinema model will have to realign itself to the changing times.”

Word doing the rounds in trade is that Christopher Nolan’s Tenet could open in India on November 6, which the cinemas are relying on to motivate other studios. Movie chains and single screens are also counting on 3D films (from the library), regional movies being dubbed in other languages, horror movies and Hollywood films (dubbed versions included) that have released abroad, but not in India. Apart from the library content, there are Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, Bunty Aur Babli 2, Indoo Ki Jawani, Suraj Pe Mangal Bhaari, Tuesdays And Fridays, Saina Nehwal biopic and Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai queuing up for a possible theatrical release. Tent-pole Hindi films like Sooryavanshi, '83, Jayeshbhai Jordar, KGF Chapter 2 and Radhe are expected to open between Christmas 2020 and January 26, 2021. According to reports, '83 is likely to hit the theatres around Christmas, while Sooryavanshi will move to 2021.

Amit Sharma of Miraj Cinemas says, “We’re trying to arrange all this content in such a way that we can have a smooth start. Tenet is one of our tentpole films in this period. There are Gujarati and Marathi films waiting to release in theatres. These films will help us sustain the initial weeks in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Re-releasing films has a lot to do with producers’ arrangements with OTT and TV channels and other logistics involved.

Cinemas are also curating festivals that will be important for initial audience engagement.”

Akshaye Rathi of Saroj Screens points out, “We have to find a way to ensure that the cinema ecosystem sustains itself. It’s always wiser to keep as many avenues of revenue generation open and running. A few of our big summer releases did go to OTT platforms, but with the cinemas close to an opening date, things are poised for change. Long-term existence is more important than one-time profit. The success of a director or a star is determined by box office. If they want to maintain that, and charge the paycheck that they do, then they also have to be a part of this discourse actively.”

Distributor Anil Thadani adds, “Every producer with a fresh film needs a month or so to promote his or her film and cinemas to be open pan-India. With re-releases of certain films which were in theatres when they closed in March, like Thappad, Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior and Street Dancer 3D, we are just warming up and building audience confidence. People may or may not come for numerous reasons, but we have to take a chance and reboot.”