Traditionally, Diwali has been one of the most lucrative periods for Hindi film releases. But this year, the Indian box office may not see fireworks as no Hindi film – especially any biggie – is lined up to hit theatres around the ‘festival of lights.’ Akshay Kumar-Katrina Kaif starrer Sooryavanshi, which was supposed to be the Diwali release, has moved to an unspecified date. Also, James Bond’s latest adventure, No Time To Die that was expected to hit screens around the festival has set an April 2021 date.

Technically speaking, the lucrative Diwali period is still up for grabs, as of now, and for a change, there are no clashes or promotional blitzkrieg. But industry insiders hope that “things will change in the coming days”. “Undoubtedly, a big film, starring top names, would have been ideal, especially since theatres are going to reopen after over six months,” admits exhibitor-distributor Akshaye Rathi, adding that he understands “makers’ fears about enough footfalls or audiences’ participation” to their films.

At the same time, given that Diwali is still over a month away, experts are hoping for something to work out. “For example, I read a prominent exhibitor saying, ‘why can’t Laxmmi Bomb [releasing on an OTT platform on November 9] come out in theatres as well?’ So, let’s see. But one thing is for sure, that this year’s Diwali may be quite subdued. Coronavirus scare is still around, and people continue to be scared,” says trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

For makers, the central government’s decision to reopen theatres has been a “great announcement” but they are still waiting for all the states also to be on the same page. “We are waiting for everyone [states] to open up. That’s why we felt that releasing Sooryavanshi [on Diwali] wasn’t practical. Assuming that all the theatres [in India] open on November 1, you still can’t release a big film with just 15 days’ promotion,” says Shibasish Sarkar, group CEO, Reliance Entertainment that has backed Sooryavanshi and '83.

Rathi, too, feels that once states such as Maharashtra and Delhi [states that contribute the most to a film’s revenues] open theatres, things will change. “Also, if nothing else, I expect some mid-segment Hindi films to come out on Diwali. Plus, some regional films are being dubbed in Hindi for a big release. Let’s see how things go,” he says. As of now, the only Hindi films that are likely to have a stint with theatres, this year, include Ranveer Singh-Deepika Padukone starrer '83 and Kiara Advani’s Indoo Ki Jawani.