Showing posts with label Gurmeet Singh Seble. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gurmeet Singh Seble. Show all posts
Pushpa 2's aggressive pricing strategy risks alienating key demographics, says trade
11:06 AM
With Pushpa 2’s tickets priced as high as Rs 2,400, trade analysts say the film risks losing a section of the audience; point out the low advance booking in multiplexes
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 3, 2024)
How much would you spend to watch Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2: The Rule? The makers and exhibitors seem confident of the fans’ love for the sequel, which would explain the exorbitant ticket prices of the December 5 release. In some premium theatres in Mumbai and Delhi, the prices range from Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,400. In other multiplexes, they have been reportedly hiked up by 10-15 per cent. This aggressive pricing strategy has ignited a discussion within the trade circles.
A section believes that the steep charges are a means to maximize the opening collection of Sukumar’s directorial venture, which is said to be mounted on a Rs 500 crore budget. But critics argue that it could alienate audiences. “Films like Pushpa 2 are meant to unite audiences across socio-economic strata, but pricing this high risks alienating key demographics,” says Gurmeet Singh Seble, who runs cinemas in Delhi.
He adds, “In single screens in Delhi, the film is priced between Rs 235 and Rs 250, and all eight shows are full. In contrast, PVR Plaza has been able to sell only 10 per cent of tickets. Some multiplexes are keeping it as high as Rs 2,500! PVR will kill the movie business like this. Rates need to be corrected,” he rues, adding that the inflated prices were needless for the franchise that has such a wide fan base.
With the ticket prices surging in the south and the Telangana government approving extra shows at higher costs, fans—who were eager to see the next chapter of the Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil-starrer—have expressed their displeasure online. Trade expert Ramesh Bala says it’s a gamble on part of the makers.
“The ticket prices are high in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. It’s a risk because people should like it in one viewing, or it could be a deterrent. Most people will watch it on the first day because of the hype. This is cashing in on people’s expectations. If the word of mouth is good, then [exhibitors] will continue with these prices,” he states.
Catch-22 for cinemas as rise in Coronavirus cases hand severe blow to exhibitors
8:08 AM
Low footfall in theatres has meant no blockbusters, and without big releases, the crowds will not be back; add high costs and the spectre of a second lockdown, it is a deadly cocktail for theatres
Uma Ramasubramanian, Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 24, 2020)
The significant spike in Coronavirus cases in many parts of the country — combined with fears of a second round of lockdown in major cities — has come as a severe blow to exhibitors, who are already reeling from months of lockdown.
Gurmeet Singh Seble, member of Delhi Single Screens Association, predicts that a second cinema shutdown may well be on the cards. Noting that most single screens across the capital have not reopened, he says, "Single screens will remain shut unless a big money-spinner is lined up for release. Producers have yet to announce big-ticket movies. We don't wish to keep theatres running when people are not showing up."
Closer home in Mumbai, the scene is not starkly different. Manoj Desai, executive director, G7 multiplex, rues that the business has been abysmal since they lifted the curtain on November 15. "The public is afraid to step out. Since we have reopened the theatres, we have to pay for the electricity and the maintenance. In such a situation, when patrons don't turn up, the losses keep mounting. We have only 10 to 15 people per show. There are strong chances of a second shutdown. Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, has stated that he will arrive at a decision in a few days. So, we have to wait and watch till then." Desai has lined up a meeting with his business partners today to chart the way forward.
The lack of new releases has added to the exhibitors' misery. After the Diwali offering Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari, Christopher Nolan's Tenet is slated to hit screens on December 4 and Kiara Advani's Indoo Ki Jawani, on December 11. However, Bollywood biggies have shied away from the marquee, resulting in a dry spell at the ticket counters. "We don't play Hollywood movies at Gaiety. However, given the current situation, we'll have no option but to run Tenet," says Desai.
Trade analyst Atul Mohan weighs in, saying, "Regardless of whether a lockdown is imposed or not, cinemas have started shutting down. Most multiplexes have closed down two to three screens, keeping only one or two of them operational." Mohan adds that a second round of shutdown will be catastrophic for the exhibition and distribution sector.
First pandemic, now piracy is eating into the business of struggling cinemas
8:18 AM
With Akshay's Laxmii being played illegally in video parlours in MP and Bihar, trade analysts gauge how it is eating into the business of struggling cinemas
Mohar Basu, Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; November 20, 2020)
On November 9, Akshay Kumar's Laxmii dropped on Disney+ Hotstar. Only a day later, a video parlour in Madhya Pradesh screened the horror-comedy to an audience of 70-odd people — the first of many shows to come. Trade circles have been abuzz with rumours that pirated versions of the movie have been playing at several single-screen theatres and video parlours in smaller towns of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
The development was highlighted by trade analyst Komal Nahta, who explained that these cinemas usually buy screening rights from distributors. However, when the monies don't work out, they often resort to screening films illegally and pocket the collections. "[Exhibitors] in metros won't dare to do it, but cinema owners in smaller towns — say, in Madhya Pradesh — are screening the film. I won't name the cinemas, but it has come to a point where people have resorted to piracy for survival," explains Nahta, adding that the theatre shutdown was a severe blow for exhibitors across the country.
Quiz him on why the movie halls are not running Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari that has had an official big-screen release, and he says, "You need a superstar to bring back the audience. We should follow what Hollywood is practising — release the film in cinemas and OTT simultaneously. That's the only way to curb piracy for now."
Trade insiders reveal that these outlets have been running an average of two shows a day, with tickets priced at one-fifth of that of a single screen's. Gurmeet Singh Seble, member of the Single Screen Association of India, says, "These are not licensed cinemas, but small video parlours that show movies on projectors. There are neither chairs nor a big screen." He adds that they eat into the business of single screens that are struggling to stay afloat. "In Delhi, owners couldn't reopen their single screens because the operation costs are high, and there were no films to draw the audience. We wanted to run Laxmii. But the Multiplex Association of India refused to release the film because it was dropping online."
mid-day reached out to Disney+ Hotstar, which did not respond till press time. Insiders suggest that the suits at the streaming giant are not pursuing legal action against the cinemas in question. Producers Kumar, Shabina Khan and Tusshar Kapoor remained unavailable for comment.
Black Diwali for theatre owners; Maharashtra government extends lockdown till November 30
8:20 AM
City exhibitors livid after state government extends cinema shutdown till Nov 30; the fate of upcoming films uncertain even as other states demand new releases
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; October 31, 2020)
On Thursday, the Maharashtra government extended the Coronavirus lockdown in the state till November 30 with no further relaxations. For exhibitors in the state who have lost crores of rupees in the eight months of theatre shutdown, the move spells doom as Diwali is the most profitable period for business. Manoj Desai, executive director of G7 multiplex in Bandra, says, "Our business shoots up during this period, but it's a black Diwali this year. [On paper], I have eight theatres standing, but in reality, we are broke."
Akshaye Rathi, who owns cinemas in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, notes that the exhibition and distribution sector had earned Rs. 250 crore last Diwali owing to the three festival releases — Housefull 4, Saand Ki Aankh and Made In China. As another bleak month awaits him this year, he has no option but to let go of his staff. Rathi indicates that the discrimination against movie halls is unfair as he asks, "Are cinemas the only place where the virus spreads? Everything else has reopened — be it metros, salons, and even trains."
With trade and filmmakers optimistic that the doors of cinemas would be thrown open from November 1, it was heard that Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari — besides its digital premiere — would hit screens over the Diwali weekend. Similarly, Kiara Advani's Indoo Ki Jawani was slated for a late November release. As the fate of these two films hangs in the balance, Rathi adds, "The trailer of Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari doesn't mention anything about the film releasing in cinemas. So, there is no [clarity]."
The decision is bound to spark a chain reaction across the country — with Maharashtra being the biggest market, other filmmakers are likely to hold off the release of their upcoming offerings, thus leaving theatre owners in other states devoid of new releases. Raj Kumar Mehrotra, CEO, Delite Cinemas, Delhi, that re-started its operations on October 16, says each show sees barely 10 per cent occupancy. "We are running in losses. Where the 50 per cent capacity translates to 490 seats in our cinema, we barely see 30 to 40 people per show. Over the weekend, the footfall increases to 15 per cent."
Gurmeet Singh Seble of Seble Cinema, Delhi, urges the Multiplex Association of India to rethink its decision of not screening OTT films. "It will do wonders for us if we can screen Akshay Kumar's Laxmii. Nobody wants to watch past blockbusters. We need new films."
If Bollywood can tweet on national issues, why not on cinema halls?, ask exhibitors
8:27 AM
With theatres still shut even after six months of lockdown, exhibitors are fuming over lack of support as single screens like the city’s Ganga Jamuna down shutters
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 16, 2020)
Cinema halls across the country downed shutters from March 14. It’s been over six months since the Coronavirus-triggered lockdown was announced and there is no clarity yet on when they will reopen. The exhibitors are fuming. “All my savings have now been used up; we are back to 2010. The little money that remains will also go the day the theatres reopen as I will have to clean the carpets, replace the batteries and then, have to spend extra to follow all the SOPs,” frets Ashutosh Agarwal, a member of UP Cinema Exhibitors Federation.
Raj Bansal, an exhibitor from Rajasthan, informs that multiple meetings have taken place with the I&B Ministry, but they still don’t have a date. “If places of worship can open, then why not cinema halls? We can manage the crowd better,” argues Bansal, upset with the lack of support from the industry. “They’ve never supported us and never will. We’re on our own. The livelihood of lakhs is at stake and if nothing else, cinemas should open on humanitarian grounds.”
Bansal is placing his bet on Rohit Shetty’s action thriller Sooryavanshi, which has a star-studded cast of Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Ajay Devgn and Ranveer Singh, and Salman Khan’s Radhe to bring viewers back to the theatres. “The audience will get to see three big stars in Sooryavanshi and Salman Khan has his own fan following. We need a month-long trial run before Sooryavanshi arrives during Diwali, so cinema halls must open by October 1,” he asserts.
Varun Seth has shut his single screen theatre, Jagat, Delhi, for the time being, but plans to stay in the business with another multiplex in the Capital. “I don’t see much business happening in single screens post the pandemic,” he sighs.
Another Delhi-based exhibitor, Gurmeet Seble, slams B-Town’s A-listers for their silence. “If Bollywood can tweet on national issues, why not on cinema halls which is their bread and butter,” he questions, warning that the demise of single screens—with at least 35 having shut down in the Capital this year already— could impact their popularity and lead to the collapse of the star system. “Some actors will become the Salman Khan of OTT, but can you watch a Salman Khan film on the small screen? The answer is no, as he can draw hundreds of people to the theatres, first day, first show. That craze cannot be replicated on OTT,” he reasons.
Arun Mehra, the director of Kolkata’s Paradise Cinema, rues that producers going for an OTT release has only compounded their problems. “I’m still wondering what we will do even after opening up as we won’t have content to sustain week after week. But I can’t blame them either as they have to carry the financial burden. If cinemas don’t open in the next two months, even Sooryavanshi, '83 and Radhe might go the OTT way,” he admits, hoping the government steps in to revive the industry. “It’s impossible to continue this way. We can’t keep paying salaries, property taxes, electricity bills and other recurring expenses with no revenue.”
However, as Seble reminds, reopening of cinema halls comes with its risks. “We can’t open up at the cost of human lives. It’s going to be difficult to monitor that everyone is wearing a mask, particularly at the B and C centers. But stars should at least speak to the government, they have the power, we don’t,” he sighs.
All exhibitors believe that while it will take time for the business to get back to what it was in pre-Covid times, reopening is a step closer to attaining that. Exhibitor Akshaye Rathi, who owns a theatre in Nagpur, shares that many cinema owners are looking to shut shop or lay off their staff. He hopes theatres reopen by October 1. “Around 9500 screens were operational before March, I expect at least a 5 per cent drop out. Over 20 lakh jobs are at stake. Saving lives has to be balanced with the livelihood of 20 lakh,” he avers, optimistic that films like Sooryavanshi, '83, Radhe and Mumbai Saga, along with Hollywood franchises like Wonder Woman and James Bond will set the cash registers jingling again.
As Bollywood opts for OTT releases, cinema hall owners look South to replace Hindi films
8:23 AM
With many B-Town makers taking the OTT route, peeved exhibitors are in talks for dubbed versions of upcoming Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam releases
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 28, 2020)
Cinema halls across the country have been shut since March owing to the Coronavirus pandemic. Even though shoots have commenced, there is no official communication yet from any of the state governments on when theatres can open their doors. Meanwhile, several Bollywood producers have decided to release their films directly on digital platforms. Exhibitors across the country have protested this move, saying this will leave them with little content to screen when they reopen.
Now, Mirror has learnt that these cinema owners have found a way to fight back. They are in talks with producers of Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam films for dubbed Hindi versions of upcoming releases featuring popular stars and having a pan-India appeal.“With tent-pole films like Bhuj: The Pride of India and Laxmmi Bomb going off our radar, we’re exploring the possibility of demolishing the language barrier,” informs Akshaye Rathi, a Nagpur-based exhibitor, adding that this will also give South producers an access to thousands of screens across the country.
According to the exhibitor, Hollywood films, too, are bringing in numbers, on par with top Bollywood stars. “Collections of South films, too, will spike with every passing year. Wait for KGF 2, it will explode!” he promises, adding that if the Hindi versions of these films do well, it will push South actors to dub for themselves. “This will make them huge pan-India stars.” Gurmeet shares that in the Delhi-UP territory, the rights of some dubbed films sell for as little as Rs 2.5 lakh, but the recovery is very high.
Vishek Chauhan, an exhibitor from Purnia, Bihar, endorses this, saying dubbed films like Bahubali 2, 2.0 and Saaho have been the biggest hits in his theaters in the last few years. “Imagine a three-film old Prabhas opening on par with Salman Khan in Bihar; it’s possible. KGF released alongside Shah Rukh Khan’s Zero with zero hopes and surprised all the exhibitors,” he avers.
He adds that some films like Mahesh Babu’s 2017 thriller, Spyder, would’ve opened big in Hindi belts too. “I got at least 500 enquiries for the film, but the makers didn’t dub it. However, with social media at its peak, good content is travelling by word of mouth,” he says, confident that cinema halls will survive the virus, but isn’t too sure about the future of Bollywood. “I fear soon most Hollywood and South films will perform better than those in Hindi. Bollywood will be shocked when 10 to 12 South films clash with them at the box-office. The day is not far because now it’s all about entertainment.”Lockdown Effect: Single screen theatres to fold by year end?
8:22 AM
Four months into the lockdown, and with cinemas unlikely to open before October, owners and trade pundits fear single screens may fold by year-end
Mohar Basu, Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; June 22, 2020)
Cinemas across Europe and the US may be opening their doors again, but a big-screen date with their favourite star remains elusive for the Indian audience. Even as the government is easing the restrictions in phases, reopening of theatres is likely to be among the last steps in the 'Unlock India' plan. The theatre business, currently in its fourth month of shutdown, has suffered a blow, with the single screens being the worst hit. Three landmark movie halls — Shanthala and Padma in Mysuru, and Maharani in Chennai — have bitten the dust in the past three months.'
With trade circles suggesting that cinemas will not re-open before October, exhibitor Akshaye Rathi worries that "about 250 to 300 single screens may be wiped out". He rues, "There's no support from any quarter, be it from the film industry or the government. By October, the number of theatres downing its shutters may touch 1000-plus."
Rathi adds that problems will continue to plague the humble single screens even after they resume operations. "The initial expenditure will be way higher than the revenue coming in," says Rathi, adding that they will witness high footfalls only when big-ticket offerings hit the marquee.
With rent, maintenance charges and staff salaries, the theatre owners' expenses have been rising with no revenue to offset them. Manoj Desai, executive director, Gaiety-Galaxy, notes that the government has offered little relief. "The government should do away with GST. We are paying the property tax, BMC tax and electricity charges. Ideally, these should be excused for the moment."
mid-day reached out to Regal Cinema owner Kamal Sidhwa Taraporewala, who declined to comment on the losses incurred due to the lockdown. Since 2018, rumours have been abuzz about the Colaba theatre struggling to stay afloat.
Gurmeet Singh Seble, MD, Seble Cinemas in Delhi, adds, "The Shaheen Bagh protests continued from December to February, and the lockdown came into effect in March. So, single screens here were affected even before the Coronavirus pandemic."
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