With theatres shut in Maharashtra till April 30, the film industry is staring at a bleak future
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 7, 2021)

The year 2021 was looking like the year of Bollywood’s resurgence. Announcements for new films were being made one after the other, shoots started and were wrapped up. But the pandemic refuses to slow down, and hence in Maharashtra theatres have been shut till April 30. This in turn has led to filmmakers rethinking about their releases.

Rohit Shetty has postponed the already delayed Sooryavanshi again. What happens to the rest of the biggies — Thalaivi in April, Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai and Satayameva Jayate 2 in May, and so on? Does the entire year seem set for a reshuffle?

Experts and makers believe so. Anand Pandit, who had delayed the theatrical release of his Amitabh Bachchan starrer Chehre, says, “We have only 52 Fridays a year, and there are usually 300-400 films. Entire April and May will go, films will start releasing only after June.”

Rajender Singh Jyala, Chief Programming Officer, INOX Leisure, says while south releases are on track so far, Hindi films will change their dates. “We don’t know when the theatres will reopen. Once that clarity comes, then the re scheduling will happen,” he says.

Release sans Maharashtra?
Jyala adds that these are tough times for theatres. “There is no income. The government has expedited the vaccination drive. It’s unlikely that makers will choose to release big film in other states barring Maharashtra. Smaller films, yes, maybe. Maharashtra contributes 30-35% of all India box-office. Films will release, but not those on a bigger scale. For that, Maharashtra theatres have to reopen,” he explains.

Exhibitor Akshaye Rathi says, “Films releasing in April or early May will reconsider their plans. Given the fact that Maharahtra is shutting down, it’s possibly the biggest market in terms of box-office revenue. With that out of the equation, no producer would want to release in other belts. The impact of Maharashtra is on the other parts of the country as well and is damaging.”

OTT ROUTE INSTEAD?
Will filmmakers who can’t wait anymore for theatres to reopen, opt for OTT releases instead? The mounting costs for delaying a release might compel some. But Pandit, whose film The Big Bull will premiere on a streaming platform, reasons, “I don’t think any OTT player will be able to match the numbers for big films like Sooryavanshi. There was no economic reason behind me releasing TBT on OTT. We are a zero debt company. Chehre would be a beautiful experience, that is why we are holding on to it for a theatrical.”

Trade expert Atul Mohan says, “It’s not assured that cinemas will reopen on May 1. There is no clarity about extension. Hindi films won’t release elsewhere. They can’t afford to lose such a big market.”