Showing posts with label Jersey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jersey. Show all posts

How postponing a film's release date can affect finances and a lot more

8:43 AM

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THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGING!

Along with finances and dealing with disappointment from fans, pushing a film’s release date at the last minute can create issues for all involved
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 9, 2024)

Just three days before its release, actor Ajay Devgn’s Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha was pushed to a later date. As rumours go, the makers decided to move it due to the release of Kalki 2898 AD. This isn’t the first time that such a decision was taken and experts weigh in on the repercussions.

Marketing a film can make or break a film and Varun Gupta, head of Max Marketing, who also handled Kalki 2898 AD, which had a date change, says, “I remember with Jersey (2022), the makers realized they will clash with KGF - Chapter 2 (2022), which had a lot of advance booking. I think the same happened with Auron Mein... They didn’t think Kalki 2898 AD would have such a craze in the North. For Adipurush (2023), there was overestimation and no films were released two weeks hence.”

Further, Gupta adds, “With Pushpa 2 - The Rule, two songs are out, but they are lyrical, and the teaser doesn’t tell the story, either. The problem occurs when the makers’ don’t have new assets to create a buzz during the new date.”

Best to AVOID a CLASH
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh is all praise for Auron Mein... makers for opting out of the clash and says, “Postponing a film impacts the finance as interest mounts. It would’ve been immature to be stuck on, ‘Hum toh issi date pe aayenge’, knowing Kalki 2898 AD was a storm.”

When a big-budget film is postponed, it messes with the entire year’s release calendar. Amit Sharma, Managing Director of Miraj Cinemas, tells us, “Pushpa 2 - The Rule was slated for August 15, but the date change turned the entire calendar upside down. Release of small and mid-budget films are majorly affected as they look for the right time to come out to grab more eyeballs.”

Factors are A-plenty
There are several factors that play a part in creating buzz around a film — media interviews, social media collaborations and on-ground promotions, where actors visit colleges, shopping malls, restaurants, etc, around the country — that are slated in advance. Danny Singh handles film promotions in North India and calls this a “big issue”.

“If a film gets pushed by 15 days to two months, it’s tough to reorganize interviews. It’s not producers, but people like me who are affected when events are cancelled. They don’t spend on actors’ trips to different cities; Hotels, colleges, malls, etc, pump in money in return for the actors’ visit.”

In the past, Singh has faced legal entanglements when actors have postponed or cancelled an event. He rues, “Colleges and event sponsors have sued us for the same. Stars also cancel at the last minute and the production house simply says, ‘Artist ka mood nahi hai’.”
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In India, as a programmer, there are atleast 40 movie titles that we handle a week. It made sense to push Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, with Kalki 2898AD already doing well. It is a logistical issue.
- Devang Sampat, Managing Director, Cinepolis India

It’s a myth that the era of remakes is over. I will continue to make them-Boney Kapoor

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Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; November 1, 2022)

During the pandemic, when several movie projects were put on hold, producer Boney Kapoor was neckdeep managing over half-a-dozen films. In 2019, he produced the Tamil film Nerkonda Paarvai, which was followed by Telugu drama Vakeel Saab with Pawan Kalyan in 2021 and since then, he has been actively working on multiple South movies between 2020 and 2021. His Tamil film Valimai starring Ajith Kumar that released this year enjoyed massive success. He also bankrolled the South remakes of successful Hindi films like Article 15 and Badhaai Ho this year. Now that he has wholeheartedly plunged into producing South movies, Boney has been winning a lot of appreciation from industry folks and the audience. At the moment, he is extremely excited about his upcoming production Mili (a remake of the Malayalam film Helen), starring Janhvi Kapoor in the lead. In a chat with Bombay Times, he talks about collaborating with his daughter for the first time, aiming to hit a century by producing 100 films and more. Excerpts:

You are collaborating with your daughter Janhvi for the first time with Mili. The premise of the film, where her character gets trapped inside a freezer, seems to be a solid performance-driven role. Is this what prompted you to cast Janhvi in this survival thriller?
I was approached by a producer to make this film and he wanted Janhvi for the part. Yeh film ek-do mahine se unke (Janhvi) manager ke paas thi. I had already been recommended to watch the original. When I saw it, I couldn’t control my tears and I jumped into this subject wholeheartedly. I chose director Mathukutty Xavier of the original film, who won the National Award for it. Even before the director was signed, I approached Manoj Pahwa, who saw the original and said yes. My daughter is an enthusiastic and hardworking actor. She insisted on shooting in an actual freezer where the temperature was as low as -8 to -12 degrees. In the second half of the film, she hardly has dialogues, and it is only through her expressions that everything is conveyed. I was sure she could pull off this part well, especially after seeing the kind of varied characters she has played in her previous films. The audience should wait and watch her in a full-fledged comedy film because that is her forte. She has fantastic comic timing and a sense of humour like her mother (Sridevi).

Through the pandemic, where there was uncertainty and work came to a halt, you were actively involved with several projects. In the last three years, you have worked on as many as eight movies in different languages. What has kept you going?
With Ajay Devgn-starrer Maidaan (which now releases on February 17, 2023) I would have had eight films released between 2019 and 2022. And then there are four-five films in the pipeline in different languages — Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam, including my third film with Ajith, which will release during Pongal in January next year. I just wanted to remain busy throughout. I have lost count, but I think I have done almost 50 films till now and I want to score a century! I want to be a Sachin Tendulkar or a Virat Kohli (laughs!). Talking about uncertainty in the business, I made Mr. India (1987) at a budget of Rs 3.8 crore, at a time when films were made on the budget of Rs 50 to 70 lakhs. People went to my father and said that your son has gone mad and they told my brother Anil that I was ruining his career as he would be invisible in a major part of the film. They also told him that through this movie, I only wanted to highlight Sridevi (as an actor). I poured in so much money into the project that at the time of the release, I was broke. But today, each and every character in the film has become iconic. I had faith in the project and I told Anil that you will be remembered as Mr. India till your last breath.

Everyone in the industry is aware of your generosity as a producer. But in today’s times, producers are focusing on tighter budgets and cutting costs. Have you also changed the way you approach a project?
Of course, I am a little more realistic now. I was madly passionate to the extent that I used to get indulgent at times. I am no more indulgent, but the passion is still there. Earlier, I would produce films independently, but today I have partners on board, so I am the custodian of their investment. All the films I have done in recent times have given good returns and this is how I want to continue. For Mili, I am happy that Zee Studios showed faith in me and trusted me. It has been a great partnership with them so far.

You have entertained the audience with original films as well as remakes. You introduced a South hit like Pokiri to the Hindi audience by making Wanted and gave the South audience the taste of Hindi cinema with remakes of films like Pink, Article 15 and Badhaai Ho. As someone who understands what goes into remaking a film, how do you look at the current scenario, where people are saying that remakes are not working at the box office anymore?
It’s a myth that the era of remakes is over. Well, that’s utter rubbish. Remakes have always been there. Back in the day, Aurat was made into Mother India and The Departed was the remake of Infernal Affairs. Likewise, Indecent Proposal was made into Judaai. Talking about the remakes of recent times, Vikram Vedha in Tamil was also called Vikram Vedha. It was dubbed in various languages as Vikram Vedha. It was available across all platforms for the audience to consume. So, when people sitting at home have consumed it already, then why would they go to a theatre to watch the film? Yeh same Jersey aur HIT: The First Case ke saath bhi hua. When I made Wanted, we worked on Prakash Raj’s character. The actor was new to the Hindi audience, so we shot again with him and added a few of his introduction shots... ki as a villain woh kaisa cruel aur sharp hai. After all, jab tak mera villain strong nahi hoga, my hero will not work! I am not saying I am the authority when it comes to remakes, as I have also gone wrong, but people cannot just make a statement that remakes don’t work anymore. As a filmmaker, I will continue to do remakes and I am looking forward to Mili.

Lately, several South films have worked wonders at the box office, while most Hindi films are struggling to draw the audience to the theatres. As a filmmaker, where do you think Bollywood is falling short?
It is happening because most of our filmmakers are driven and inspired by Hollywood. Today, filmmakers from the South are making films that our Hindi filmmakers like Manmohan Desai and Prakash Mehra once made — full-blooded commercial cinema. At that time packaging itni achchi nahi hoti thi, ab yeh log achchi packaging karke, achcha VFX daal ke bana rahe hai. In filmon mein taali maarne ki situation hai, seeti maarne ki situation hai, gaane, action, dialoguebaazi... sab kuch hai. Initially, South filmmakers were looking up to Bollywood, but today, our filmmakers are in awe of them. In that case, I think I made the right move of heading down South and making movies there at the right time.

While in Bollywood, stars enjoy massive fan-following, the superstars down South are also worshipped by their fans. Recently, there was a video doing the rounds where fans showed their love by pouring milk on your car. Did you expect such kind of love?
(Laughs!) I was surprised to see that reaction. As much as I have enjoyed working with actors here (Bollywood), I have loved working with actors down South, too. They are so professional and concerned about the film and the way their character is shaping up. It is my experience, sincerity, honesty and dedication towards my work that people are seeing and hence, they want to work with me.

I loved Shahid Kapoor's Jersey but its box office result broke my heart-Taapsee Pannu

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taapsee pannu, mithali raj biopic

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; July 13, 2022)

Taapsee Pannu is among those artistes who pick up films that become conversation starters. The actress will now be seen playing Mithali Raj, one of India’s celebrated women cricketers, in the biopic Shabaash Mithu. In a chat with BT, Taapsee spoke about what it takes to play a woman in blue and more. Excerpts:

Shabaash Mithu is your first film after Thappad (2020) that will release in the theatres. Are you nervous?
I am! We’ve lost touch with the feeling of having butterflies in our stomachs, the pressure of the numbers over the weekend and the audience verdict. Every film has a taker on OTT, but in a theatre, the sheer pull of the actor and the film is tested. It is nerve-wracking to be back in this position and it’s cool to be here.

I have a responsibility on my shoulders, and I had missed feeling this pressure. The audience is so used to consuming content at its own pace that bringing them out for a community-viewing experience is a big deal. We’re banking on cricket, which is loved so much in our country and this is the first time we will see a woman in blue on the screen. Having said that, nothing can be predicted.

I loved Jersey (headlined by Shahid Kapoor), but its box office result broke my heart. I can’t wrap my head around it. And yet, nothing should stop us from taking those risks. We can never get over that fear ki audience aayegi ki nahi. This is the time for the audience to show its faith and love for you. This is our reality check. The day the box office stops making me nervous, I’ll know that I’ve become indifferent towards my work and it’s time to change my job!

Shabaash Mithu was made over two years. The director was changed after the film briefly went on the floor. What kept you so deeply invested in the project all along?
When the studio approached me, the film was just an idea. They needed someone who could commit time and dedication to portray someone like Mithali Raj, who has numerous achievements to her credit and stands for some extremely vital changes in our society. One had to commit time and effort to learn the sport first and then, understand the person who one was offered to emulate. I was excited to play her, but I didn’t know how challenging it would get at multiple levels. When I read and heard the script, I saw that in many places, the writer had mentioned Taapsee instead of Mithali. The script was written keeping me in mind, which doesn’t happen with all the scripts. Things like these kept encouraging me to push myself harder for this challenging part.

In a cricket-obsessed nation, this is one of the first films that depicts the journey of a woman achiever in this game. Did that play on your mind when you signed it?
Yes, in a good way. I used to train for eight hours on the pitch. It would exhaust me, but that didn’t stop me. I didn’t want to play the sport badly or incorrectly on screen. In a country like ours, there is a weird notion about women cricketers that they don’t play as well or their game is not as impressive. It constantly played on my mind that no one should step out of the cinema hall and say things like, ‘Female cricket pe film hai na, toh itni exciting nahi hai.’ I pushed myself as hard as I could. Srijit sir (Srijit Mukherjee, director) would make me go through numerous retakes till I hit a four or a six as required. Cricketers and Mithali’s contemporaries Devika Palshikar and Nooshin Khadeer and physical therapist Akanksha Satyavanshi, who is also the physio for the current women’s team, helped me in a big way to understand Mithali as a person and as a sportsperson. They’ve all been with Mithali for years.

She was at the peak of her games when we were shooting, so we would only converse on messages and exchange notes.

You’ve mentioned in some of your interviews that Mithali’s personality is completely different from yours. What was the process like for you to bring out the nuances of her personality on field and off it?
Mithali and I are like chalk and cheese. She doesn’t talk much and is less expressive verbally. She’s an observer more than a talker. Generally, biopics have some typical tropes to depict a winner’s sentiment or something heroic — like high-energy shots, some kind of chest-thumping, jump in the air. Here, we had to depict a winner who has led a heroic journey but is not overtly expressive. In many of her clips, I’ve just seen her smiling. I wondered how we would do this and would people accept this. Many of us, including me, woke up to Mithali and her journey very late in the day. We had to take some liberty to bring her emotions out on the big screen without going overboard. She’s had a supportive family, she’s led India from the front, she’s fought several battles to get this far. I needed to understand her as a person while playing her. Mimicking is not how you depict someone. You won’t find accented Hindi in the film though Mithali is from a Tamil family, residing in Hyderabad. Her Hindi is neutral and accent-free. When Mithali gave the trailer a thumbs-up, I was relieved.

Shabaash Mithu also focusses on the gender bias in the sport, which sportspersons like Mithali Raj have tried to address and change in India... The tag of Gentleman’s Game and the fact that we, including me, didn’t know much about Mithali, the women’s team and their journey till the 2017 World Cup finals is something to think about. There’s a line in the trailer where Mithali is asked who her favourite male cricketer is. The way she tackled that in real life stayed with me. As an actress, I have been asked several times which male co-star I would like to team up with. I am not sure how many male colleagues have been asked the same question about a female co-star. I guess the female actor is immaterial, no? It’s this thinking across fields that we have to change.

I’ve been a cricket fan from childhood, but I started following women’s cricket very late in the day. We also treat the men’s team very differently from the women’s team. The conditions in which they’ve played and come this far have been challenging. From leftover jerseys and kits to a pay packet for the national team that equals a men’s domestic team — there’s a lot that Mithali and her contemporaries have fought and continue to fight. The stories of their struggle make me cry. It hasn’t been easy for girls to choose a sport and that, too, cricket as a career. It’s a vicious circle here; basics nahi hain, toh game utna accha kaise hoga, nahi hoga toh audience nahi hogi, audience nahi hai toh…it goes on and rolls right back to where the argument started. It took Mithali 23 years to put a foot in the door. Today, there are younger players and things are slowly changing.

We need a more conducive atmosphere to make Bull-Shahid Kapoor

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Shahid Kapoor: Logistical issues brought on by pandemic

After his actioner Bull fails to go on floors as scheduled, Shahid Kapoor says the team needs “conducive atmosphere” to make the big-budget film
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; April 30, 2022)

Last November, producers Bhushan Kumar and Amar Butala announced Bull, which will see Shahid Kapoor as a paratrooper. When debutant director Aditya Nimbalkar’s film didn’t go on floors earlier this year as per schedule, B-Town was abuzz with speculation about what caused the delay.

Confirming that the actioner has been deferred for now, the actor says the team doesn’t want to take any chances with the big-ticket project. “It’s a big film, and we have been trying to take it on floors. But we are unable to deal with the logistical issues brought on by the pandemic. We need a more conducive atmosphere to make the film. So, it might take a little more time before it rolls,” says Kapoor.

Bull is reportedly inspired by events from the life of Brigadier Farukh Bulsara, who led Operation Cactus in 1988 in the Maldives. At the time, the Indian Armed Forces had helped the Maldivian Army resist an attempted coup d’etat. With Bull not occupying his date diary, Kapoor jokes that he is “unemployed” at the moment. “I am not shooting anything for the next two months,” states the actor, who had a release in Jersey last week.

Up next, he has Bloody Daddy with Ali Abbas Zafar and Raj-DK’s Farzi, which marks his web debut. The actor, who is exploring different subjects, acknowledges that he feels “doubly motivated” at this stage in life. “The one thing that life teaches you is to change and evolve. Today, I am a lot more invested in my journey as an actor, a son, parent and husband.”

(Crisp) Movie Review: JERSEY by FENIL SETA

10:05 AM

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Jersey has a beautiful story and is laced with some touching emotional moments. A few sports scenes are exhilarating, especially in the climax. The performances are quite strong and the finale is unexpected. However, the film is too long at 171 minutes and moves at a sluggish pace. The bond between the protagonist and his wife is not fleshed out well. Music is another minus point. Speaking of performances, Shahid Kapoor is outstanding and delivers one of the finest performances of his career. The way he gets into the skin of his character is seen to be believed! And he also uses his silences and expressions beautifully. Mrunal Thakur does well though her character is not fleshed out well. Ronit Kamra is adorable. Pankaj Kapur is dependable, as always. Geetika Mahendru (Jasleen Shergill; journalist) leaves a mark. Rituraj Singh and Anjum Batra (Amrit; friend) are okay. All in all, Jersey is a decent, one-time watch. Here’s hoping it works, especially for the sake of Shahid Kapoor, as he has given it all to this performance.

My rating - *** out of 5!

Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 722

10:16 AM

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WILL JERSEY GET THE ADVANTAGE OF LAST-MINUTE POSTPONEMENT?

Shahid Kapoor’s last film, Kabir Singh, had emerged as a surprise blockbuster. The actor, whose solo films never went beyond the Rs. 70 crore mark, shocked everyone as Kabir Singh collected Rs. 276.34 crore! Now, all eyes are on his next, Jersey, which releases tomorrow.

Jersey also stars Mrunal Thakur and Shahid’s real-life father, Pankaj Kapur. It tells the story of a man who decides to fulfill his dream of becoming a cricketer at the age of 36. It is the remake of the 2019 Telugu film of the same name. Gowtam Tinnanuri, the director of the original film, has also directed the Hindi remake.

Jersey was supposed to release on August 28, 2020, but was postponed due to the pandemic. The makers then briefly tried releasing it on Diwali 2021, before settling for December 31. Sadly, on December 27, the film was pushed due to the third wave. The makers took their time in announcing the new release date as they wanted to arrive when theatres in all states were open and when 100% occupancy would be allowed.

In mid-February, it was announced that it’ll release on April 14 and thus clash with the monstrous KGF - Chapter 2. Several trade experts and industry insiders advised not to do so as the hype for KGF - Chapter 2 is tremendous. Yet, the makers didn’t pay heed. It’s when KGF - Chapter 2’s advance booking began and when its tickets started selling like hot cakes is when they realized that they’ll be in trouble if Jersey arrives on April 14. Hence, on April 11, the producers revealed that their film would now arrive on April 22.

The trailer of Jersey has been well received. Shahid Kapoor is on a high after Kabir Singh and that’ll prove to be an advantage. However, it’s not like the hype for the film is huge and that viewers would flock to the cinemas to watch it. KGF - Chapter 2 has slowed down on weekdays but it can pick up during the second weekend. Moreover, in Maharashtra, it’ll face a tough fight from Sher Shivraj. It is the next part after Pawankhind, which was released in February 2022, and was a super-hit. And that’s not all. Next week, its screens would reduce considerably due to the Eid releases – Heropanti 2 and Runway 34.

As a result, Jersey needs to be a very good film to sustain and excel. The opening day figures would be in the range of Rs. 5-7 crore. An opening weekend of Rs. 25 crore and the first week of Rs. 40 crore seems to be the best bet, provided the word of mouth is positive. Then it’ll all be about how it withstands the Eid releases and other forthcoming films.

The other major Bollywood release is Operation Romeo. It is produced by Neeraj Pandey and stars Sharad Kelkar, Bhumika Chawla, Sidhant Gupta and Vedika Pinto. It is the remake of the Malayalam film Ishq. The trailer is promising but the awareness is near zero. Hence, it’ll have a disastrous run at the box office, even if the reports are positive.

I feel happy when television actresses reach out to me and look up to me-Mrunal Thakur

8:08 AM

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Mrunal Thakur: No pressure doing period drama

Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; April 18, 2022)

Mrunal Thakur is thrilled that Jersey is all set to hit the theatres after a long wait. The film’s team faced many hurdles with its release due to the pandemic. In a chat with Bombay Times, she elaborates on her smooth transition from TV to films, how filmmakers are now offering her author-backed roles and who is her inspiration in cinema. Read on...

You waited for nearly two years for the film to release in theatres. It’s finally releasing this week. Are you relieved?
I am just overwhelmed. I have waited for this film to hit the big screen for so long. I have worked really hard on this project, and I am happy that people will finally get to see it. I play the role of a mother in this film, something I haven’t experienced in real life, and so I drew references from my mother for the part. That apart, I had two releases last year —Toofaan and Dhamaka. The former was meant for a big-screen experience. It was really disappointing that the audience could not get a theatrical experience as it was released on OTT. The film was designed for a theatrical release. So, I am finally happy that a film like Jersey, with which I have been associated for over two years, is finally releasing on the big screen.

The makers decided to stick with their decision to release the films in the theatres instead of heading for the OTT space. Why was it important for a movie like Jersey to stick to its theatrical release plans?
It’s a film that’s full of mixed emotions. The characters are so relatable that the film deserves to be watched uninterrupted in a cinema hall. Often, when you watch a film on OTT, you are subjected to distractions. This is that kind of a film which will give you joy... something that will make you want to celebrate and begin a conversation about. Also, the scenes are aesthetically shot for a big-screen experience. Like, all the cricket shots you see are not computer graphics. You can see depth in the scenes, like the movement of the ball when Shahid plays cricket or the expression of people sitting in the audience when they are watching the match. Also, I am sure that once people watch the film, they will go to their parents and thank them for whatever they did for them. I want to dedicate this film to my mom and dad. My dad retired last month, and so I am very emotional about it. I am grateful to him for all the things he did for me so that I could reach where I am today.

You have come a long way...from moving out of your hometown Dhule (Maharashtra), to starting your career in the TV industry, making Mumbai your home and finally, plunging into Bollywood. Who has been your role model?
My inspiration has been Smita Patil. Whenever I used to visit my dad’s native place in Shirpur (in Dhule), he would show me a house that belonged to Smita Patil. I think she was way ahead of time. It takes lots of guts to do the kind of films she did. While growing up, I saw her movies, and one of my favourites was Mandi. I wish I had an opportunity to act with her. She has been my idol, and just like her, I want to do something extraordinary in my career. I want people to know me for my films. I want to inspire them. Today, I feel proud that I inspire many television actors. I transitioned from TV to films, and I feel happy when television actresses reach out to me and look up to me.

Television actors have always struggled to break that image and make the transition. Even if they get a break, it gets tough for them to sustain and find acceptance in Bollywood. How has it been so far for you?
I broke the image right from my Hindi debut film, which was Love Sonia. Nobody expected a TV actor to take up an arty film, instead of a typical masala venture as their launchpad. It is because of Love Sonia that people have taken me seriously as an actor, leading to me bagging stronger roles. Even in my last films, Toofaan and Dhamaka, I was very happy with the parts I got. With my work, I want to break stereotypes and set an example. I just want to say that earlier I was surviving, but now, I am living my life as an actor. And I have earned it all on my own, and nobody can stop me from living my dream. I want to be a part of stories that resonate with people, and I am glad that filmmakers are showing faith and trust in me. I am getting to meet my dream directors. I am in a very good phase of my career right now.

While you have been playing strong characters, do you also wish to play the quintessential lead heroine in a movie?
I have realised that the term ‘lead’ is very misleading. I learned that right when I was doing my TV show Kumkum Bhagya. I was very adamant that I only wanted to play the lead. I was signed as the lead, too, but eventually, it went into the second lead space. I realised it didn’t matter because I still won immense popularity. What matters is what impact you leave on the audience. Lead koi bhi ho, lekin kabhi kabhi asli masala dussre characters mein hota hai. These characters constantly add to the story and the narrative. I am new to the industry, and I don’t want to rush. I want my first 10 movies to be my learning ground. And then you need to wait and watch for my 11th or 12th film. I want to improve and take risks, too.

When Mira Rajput saw Jersey, she hugged me and cried for 15 minutes-Shahid Kapoor

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A still from the film

Shahid on how wife Mira deeply connected with Jersey that sees him play a devoted father
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; April 13, 2022)

With Jersey, Shahid Kapoor will be back on the big screen over two years after his last release, Kabir Singh (2019). While the actor is looking forward to the audience’s reaction to the drama, he has got wife Mira’s nod of approval. He has often stated that his wife is his harshest critic. “Sometimes, she just comes back home [after a screening] and says, ‘Don’t waste too much time on this film. Move on quickly,’” laughs Kapoor.

Director Gowtam Tinnanuri’s film, which sees the actor as a defeated man who revives his love for cricket, however, has left a lasting impression on Mira. Kapoor says, “When she saw Jersey, she hugged me and cried for 15 minutes. I think she was overwhelmed because I was playing a father in the film. To me, Jersey is the story of every married [person] in this country — all of us have dreams in our 20s. When you go on to have responsibilities and children, you sometimes give up on your passion and do the practical thing. After watching the film, Mira understood a lot about me as a person; she could understand my struggles. She connected with the film deeply.” 

To Kapoor, Mira is his sounding board as well as an honest critic. He points out that he values her opinion as she responds emotionally to stories. “I remember seeing Udta Punjab [2016] with her. It had barely been a year since we were married. By the time it was interval, there was a six-foot distance between us. She said, ‘I am scared of you right now. Are you like Tommy?’ She has an [honest] reaction to every film.”


Shahid Kapoor: Mira hugged me and cried for 15 minutes

Jersey's role came naturally to me because of my past experiences of taking care of my brother-Mrunal Thakur

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Perks of sister act

Mrunal, who plays a mother in Jersey, says her protective instincts towards younger brother helped her identify with the part
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 9, 2022)

Jersey is as much a relationship drama as it is a sports film. Gowtam Tinnanuri’s directorial venture sees Mrunal Thakur as a headstrong woman who has to run the household and take care of her child when the cricketing dreams of her husband — essayed by Shahid Kapoor — are shattered. Thakur says she could identify with the nurturing streak of her character as she harboured similar feelings towards younger brother Mandar during their growing-up years.

“I was unofficially given the duty of [taking care of] my younger brother while we were growing up, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. It’s a natural instinct for every elder sister to mother their younger siblings. In Jersey, I play a mother who is trying to make ends meet while also taking care of her child. The role came naturally to me [because of my past experiences], right from my prep to bring depth into my performance, to the very last shot,” says the actor.

The emotional prep aside, Thakur says cracking the two distinct looks for the film was integral. A chunk of the drama is set in the ’90s, while the second half plays out in the present day. The actor says, “Along with my stylist, I locked the looks. We raided my family albums to understand [the styles prevalent in that decade].”

I never set out to coach people in societal behaviour-Shahid Kapoor

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'Never set out to coach people in behaviour'

Gearing up for Jersey’s release, Shahid on life post Kabir Singh and how he doesn’t justify his problematic parts
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; April 1, 2022)

There are certain characters that speak to you in a way others rarely can. When Jersey came Shahid Kapoor’s way, the central character of Arjun — a defeated man who revives his love for cricket, at the behest of his son — left a lasting impression on him. He says that the protagonist’s quiet passion drew him in.

“I could relate to him strongly. In him, I got the right vessel to [pour] my emotions into. I have felt that success, big love [from the audience] and a wide-reaching film have come to me after years of waiting. We all have fire [in our belly]. There are certain people whose fire is dampened over time, and then, there are those whose fire keeps burning. I fall in that category, as does Arjun.”

A remake of Gowtam Tinnanuri’s 2019 Telugu film of the same name, Jersey sees Kapoor sharing screen space with actor-father Pankaj Kapur. Holding your own in front of the veteran actor is no mean feat. “It’s scary as hell to share a frame with him,” smiles Kapoor, before narrating an incident. “After a scene, Gowtam walked up to dad and told him it’s a good shot, [but looked despondent]. I asked Gowtam if everything was okay, and he said, ‘Your dad is a great actor, but my story is about your character. So, if you don’t do well, the audience will only be looking at him.’ I told him that I will try my best,” he laughs. 

Kapoor’s last release Kabir Singh (2019), though a runaway success, wasn’t without its share of problems. There was much debate about the film’s glorification of toxic masculinity. In the past few years, there has been an increased awareness among artistes on the messaging of films. Has it made him scrutinise his roles harder?

“My concern is with the lack of authenticity or unfounded behaviour [in a character]. I never set out to coach people in societal behaviour. An actor’s role is to honestly represent life. I never try to justify my characters because I have played [parts] that are problematic or troubled. But cinema is a reflection of life. We are merely saying that these things happen. Whether it’s right or wrong, you decide. I think the junta gets it; the over-intellectual minds tend to chew on things a bit too much.”

Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 711

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RESTRICTIONS EASE; RELEASE DATES OF NUMEROUS FILMS ANNOUNCED

Last week, we informed readers that Badhaai Do would release on February 11, 2022. It is the first Hindi film to hit cinemas since December 24, 2021. Thanks to the third wave of the pandemic, all the films scheduled for release in January got pushed ahead. Soon, it became clear that the cases dropped as quickly as it increased and that the numerous states would ease restrictions and allow cinemas to reopen or function till late at night in February. With this assumption, the makers of Gangubai Kathiawadi announced on Friday, January 28, that their film would release on February 25.

The Akshay Kumar-starrer Bachchan Pandey was already announced for a March 18 release two weeks back. In no time, all the rest of the Fridays in March were taken over as Mumbai lifted night curfew and other states also gave or are expected to give relaxations in the next 10 days. The Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Jhund would be the first release in March, and will arrive on the 4th. On March 11, Prabhas-Pooja Hegde starrer Radhe Shyam would hit the theatres. The much-awaited period saga, RRR, would release on March 25. And that’s not all. Ajith’s Tamil film, Valimai, would release widely in Hindi on February 24, that is, a day before Gangubai Kathiawadi.

The historic clash is about to take place on April 14 when the Aamir Khan-starrer Laal Singh Chaddha and the Kannada film dubbed in Hindi, KGF 2, would arrive in theatres. The release dates of both films were announced long back. Unlike other films, these two films have not been pushed. The month of May, too, would see the release of films like Anek, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, etc with a couple of more films expected to release. All eyes are also on Jersey, the film that was supposed to release in theatres on December 31, 2021. It is said that it might make it to cinemas either in February or March.

In short, the industry would come back to life this month and in March, the box office would be on fire.

For Ranveer Singh’s natraj shot in '83, a lot of thoracic and rotational mobility was needed-Vaibhav Patil

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(P)rehabilitation
Patil Jersey actor Shahid Kapoor, and (right) with Ranveer Singh

Physiotherapist Vaibhav Patil, keeper of good health on films like Jersey, '83, Gold and Shahid Kapoor’s upcoming actioner on how therapy is employed not to heal actors, but to prevent injuries in the first place
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; January 26, 2022)

The task that Vaibhav Patil was dealing with at the moment was simple — to train Shahid Kapoor to run between the crease, as fast as he could. Patil knew that Kapoor’s acting prowess would enable him to perfectly resemble a cricketer in the first few takes. But unless his athletic levels matched that of a sportsperson, his body would give way over successive takes. “Functional training, like the word suggests, trains you to get better at a desired function. In this case, it was about getting the batsman to run between the wickets, faster,” he says of Kapoor’s character in the forthcoming film, Jersey.

“He needed to run with a bat, and in full gear. At the time, Shahid was tending an ankle injury. In a rehabilitative method, we trained him to first run without gear, then with dumbbells, then a [heavier] medicine ball, and eventually, with a bat, and in full gear. Such a progression could take a month, but when it translates on the big screen, it looks efficient,” says the physiotherapist, who also catered to the Indian team at the 2012 London Olympics.

A physiotherapist, one would assume, would be appointed on a sports-film set long into the shooting process, if and when injuries among actors become evident. “We are appointed very early on, often when [casting is underway],” Patil corrects us. “Especially in films like '83, where [we] need actors to look like cricketing legends, the casting process is crucial. As a physio, I analyse if a person will be able to replicate a desired body language, and pay attention to how many injuries and imbalances could become a hindrance. If the director likes an actor for a role, we tell him that we would need more time with that actor to address imbalances. For instance, Dhairya Karwa, who played Ravi Shastri, and Chirag Patil who played [his father Sandeep Patil], were definitely less athletic, and had to start training much earlier. But Saqib Saleem and Harrdy Sandhu, who were cricketers, could come in and pick up things faster.” 

Same, but different
Apart from a three-step process comprising assessment, performance and recovery, Patil equips actors to excel at unfamiliar movements. “In '83, the actors had to wear the stud shoes of the olden times. None of them were accustomed to wearing them, so we had to foresee the kind of ankle issues they could face, and start strengthening the ankle accordingly, on day one.”

When dealing with the aspiring actors undergoing prep work for the hockey film Gold, Patil found himself addressing back issues on the first day of his appointment. “In the era that we were replicating in Gold, the hockey sticks were longer, and the mechanics of the game was different. None of today’s hockey players or the coaches knew how to deal with that length, and they took a few days to analyse the patterns. In hockey, you are constantly bending and running long distances. That puts a lot of load on your back. When I met the 50 actors who were shortlisted and undergoing prep, they all had lower back pain. I told the makers that we needed to change the pattern. I need to evaluate them, build their endurance, and develop a certain baseline strength before [they could even begin to train].”

Given that the actors were also unfamiliar with the sport, “hit injuries” he says, were also common. “Either they’d hit someone with the hockey stick, or they’d incorrectly fling the ball, which would hit another player.” 

Serving different needs
For Patil, work on most films follows a standard protocol. A “head to toe” screening process familiarises him with each actor’s strengths and weaknesses, past injuries, and the kind of training that will suit him. He also notes the movements an actor must avoid while training and filming to keep injuries at bay, and the shooting schedule on track. With an understanding of all the actors’ strengths, a training programme suited for each is subsequently drafted. “For the part of the wicket-keeper [Syed Kirmani], we needed to increase the amount of squats and lateral movements needed for the actor. For Ranveer’s [Singh] natraj shot, a lot of thoracic and rotational mobility was needed. There was also a different training for his lateral run during the iconic catch at the boundary.” 

Directors, he says, are happy to pay heed to his request when he opines that an actor needs to be pulled out from a shoot to recover. “When we feel fatigue is setting in, we pull the actor out. Actors don’t realise when they’ve hit that phase, and ignoring it can cause injuries. Also, when you are portraying enthusiasm in a sports film, a weary-looking player is not what you want to portray. So we decide how much time an actor should spend in training, and in recovery.”

While in 83, he was tasked with getting actors ready to replicate cricketers, working with Kapoor in Jersey was simpler because they didn’t have a cricketer to mimic. “So, we could shoot movements that Shahid was good at. The perfectionist that Shahid is, he wanted to be the best in each shot. Since he is a dancer, and knows how to pick up steps quickly, he could learn movements faster and then spend time perfecting them.” 

From sport to sport
Kapoor was suffering from cervical spondylosis when he was cast. “That was a disadvantage, but he also had an advantage — his great footwork. We could hence balance the two during [choreography]. I spent a month in Beas at his second home. We would practice daily, and take to ice baths for recovery in the evenings.”

Working on Kapoor’s next action film poses a different set of challenges. While he trained him for power-movements in Jersey, given that as a cricketer, he had to “generate the impact”, for his training in the actioner, Patil had to teach him to “handle an impact”. “That implied focusing on core stability and strength so that he could learn how to fall without suffering a hit.”

The cast of 83 referred to Patil’s work station, where they underwent rehabilitation, as ‘torture chamber’
The cast of 83 referred to Patil’s work station, where they underwent rehabilitation, as ‘torture chamber’

Bollywood stares at big losses amid Covid-19 surge

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Experts on how the box-office collection has nosedived and why things continue to look bleak
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 17, 2022)

From film releases to shoot plans — the surge in Coronavirus cases has forced Bollywood to press the pause button on multiple things, again. The entertainment industry is now staring at mounting financial losses, running in hundreds of crores. “Every quarter, at least Rs. 1,000 crore is being lost in terms of box-office revenue. Typically, in a year, more than Rs. 4,000 crore comes from the box office. We are losing money every month,” says trade expert Joginder Tuteja.

“In terms of box-office numbers, we are looking at over Rs. 1,500 crore losses in the first quarter itself. Due to the crisis, the festive weekends of the first month of the year are lost,” says producer and trade expert Girish Johar.

Actor Shahid Kapoor’s Jersey was the first film to get delayed due to the rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in December, 2021. Since then, films like RRR, Radhe Shyam and Prithviraj have been pushed. Outdoor schedules of films such as Merry Christmas, Pathan, Tiger 3, Liger and Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, have also been affected.

Shibasish Sarkar, producer and former CEO, Reliance Entertainment, says, “Back in 2019, we used to look at business worth hundreds of crores, but those numbers have lost relevance now. The numbers have nosedived in the last two years. So, we try to look at it from a period basis, and the first quarter has gone. We have to hope that things start rolling from April.”

The restrictions in Mumbai and across most parts of India are hurting the production as well as distribution of the film business. “Most films which were currently shooting have had to cancel and postpone their schedules, resulting in cost escalation. It’s going to be a herculean task for these films to deliver in the given timelines,” rues producer Amar Butala, who is backing the film, Mission Majnu.

Director Anees Bazmee shares, “We have seen huge losses till now aur agar aise chalega, toh aur (losses) honge. It’s been happening continuously, bahut zyada bada setback hai.”

Jehil Thakkar, leader at media and entertainment, Deloitte India, mentions, “There’s a big loss in terms of working capital cash flows. Also, the major outdoor schedules are cancelled, and they are the high cost ones. The loss would be hundreds of crores. But nobody has an exact figure.”

I’m mentally prepared for a lockdown-Mrunal Thakur

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Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 16, 2022)

On January 1, actor Mrunal Thakur revealed that she tested positive for Coronavirus. She had been busy promoting her film, Jersey, during the last week of December and believes she may have contracted it during that time.

“I had mild symptoms, but it’s physically draining,” she says of her quarantine ordeal, adding, “But what’s more draining is isolation. Our lives are so hectic, and suddenly getting 14 days of rest was something I wasn’t able to digest. I can’t wait to get back to work.” 

Thakur shares that she received backlash for testing positive after attending a party, a rumour she slams. However, she believes that the spike in cases happened when people stepped out during Christmas and New Year.

When asked if she’s prepared for another lockdown, Thakur shares, “I’m mentally prepared for a lockdown. Health comes first. It’s said that jaan hai toh jahaan hai.”

The 29-year-old actor was looking forward to the release of Jersey, but the announcement that it would be delayed came two days before it was scheduled to hit theatres. Talking about it, she says, “Waiting always gets tough. It took two years for Love Sonia (2018) to be released. So, let this film take another six to seven months. It deserves to be celebrated in the theatres.”

Omicron wipes out January film release calendar

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From a star-studded mega lineup to ‘zero releases’!
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; January 7, 2022)

With cinemas across the country either shutting down, or operating with 50% occupancy, with night curfews and weekend curfews in place due to rising Coronavirus cases, it seems filmmakers have little choice but to put release plans on hold. Jersey, starring Shahid Kapoor, was the first big ticket project to postpone release after cinemas shut down in Delhi, followed by RRR, which was slated for a January 7 release.

Now, Radhe Shyam makers have announced that they’ll be postponing the film’s release as well, while reports state that Akshay Kumar and Manushi Chhillar-starrer Prithviraj, which was meant to hit theatres on January 21, will be held back as well. So, what will be the fate of these films going ahead?


‘WE’RE STARING AT ZERO RELEASES IN JANUARY’
Girish Johar, producer and film business expert, says, “January was a month of solo releases, with one major mega star film releasing every week. Producers had ensured that their release got enough screens. However, now we are looking at an empty calendar. As an industry, we are hoping that this hiatus doesn’t last as long as the last one. Every other hour there is an update from another state and rules are changing quickly, hence there is a lot of confusion around.”


REGIONAL FILM RELEASES FEEL THE HEAT, TOO
While Bollywood releases — and those targeting pan-India audiences — have backed out of theatrical runs, the release of several regional films may depend on the scenario of their primary market. Akshaye Rathi, director, Aashirwad Theatres and an industry expert, cites the example of Valimai, starring Tamil superstar Ajith. “The film was expected to release on January 14, and now with the restrictions imposed in Tamil Nadu, it will be slightly unfeasible for the maker to release the film on that date. Then there is Bangaraju starring Nagarjuna and Naga Chaitanya, which might go ahead as planned because cinemas aren’t yet shut in its primary markets – Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.”

Yogesh Raizada, Corporate Head, Wave Cinemas, says, “A couple of other Punjabi films are still scheduled to release in theatres this month, but with new restrictions imposed in Punjab, occupancy will be low.”

Rajender Singh Jyala, Chief Programming Officer, INOX Leisure, adds, “We have no releases this week. Films that were already in cinemas will continue. Despite cinemas in some states still showing films, due to the restrictions, footfalls will be affected.”

‘FILMMAKERS READY TO WAIT FOR THEATRICAL RELEASE THAN GO THE OTT WAY’ 
Film business analysts say that filmmakers are likely to wait till the virus subsides to release their films in theatres than go the OTT route. Akshaye Rathi says, “Be it Sooryavanshi or Spider-Man: No Way Home, the business that these films have done recently is proof that the audience will come to theatres to watch films. Some producers with financial constraints may take the OTT route. However, most filmmakers are ready to wait and release films in cinemas. All of us are hoping that states will take a pragmatic approach – keeping both, the safety of people and the economics of businesses in mind – as the last one-and-a-half years have been extremely hard for the cinema industry.”

BIGGER ISSUE IS RESCHEDULING OF THESE FILMS: RAJ BANSAL, FILM DISTRIBUTOR 
Raj Bansal, film distributor, points out that several filmmakers have been very reluctant to push back releases, and were ultimately forced to under the circumstances. He explains, “The biggest challenge for our industry is rescheduling the films that have been postponed. Now what happens is that till the first week of Diwali 2022 – the release date of the films announced in advance will remain the same. So, where will the makers shift these January-February releases to? Films which were earlier announced to be released in April, will either have to push back their release dates or go head-to-head with these films at the box-office.”

Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 707

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MANY MORE FILMS GETS POSTPONED DUE TO THE COVID-19 THIRD WAVE

Last week, we had informed viewers how the Shahid Kapoor-starrer Jersey, which was scheduled for a release on December 31, 2021, was pushed indefinitely. The decision was taken due to the rapid rise in Coronavirus cases and also after the Delhi government ordered cinemas to shut down. It gave an indication that soon many more states would either impose restrictions and that the release of more and more films would get postponed.

As expected, RRR’s makers announced that their grand period actioner won’t be able to make it to cinemas on January 7. Yesterday, on January 5, it was announced that Radhe Shyam, which was supposed to arrive in cinemas on January 14, will now release at a later date. Similarly, Akshay Kumar-starrer Prithviraj, too, won’t be arriving on the scheduled date of January 21. In short, most of the January releases have moved ahead. Only the John Abraham-starrer Attack has stuck to it’s January 28 release date. But the industry is sure that the action film will also get pushed.

Besides Delhi, cinemas in Bihar have also been ordered to shut. In Haryana, cinemas are told to close in five districts with a high number of cases. In Punjab, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan, a night curfew has been imposed and cinemas are told to operate with 50% occupancy. In Gujarat, a night curfew is in place in 8 major cities. All cinemas in the state can function with 100% occupancy. Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, districts with more than 1,000 active cases are asked to run cinemas with 50% occupancy. In Tamil Nadu, cinemas are told to operate at 50% and the state will have a lockdown on Sundays. As for Karnataka, a weekend curfew has been imposed, when cinemas will have to shut shop. And on the weekdays, theaters can run with 50% occupancy.

These are the rules in place as of January 6, 2021. At any time, these states can impose more restrictions. Also, other states can also go for curbs. The crucial state of Maharashtra, surprisingly, is still running as before but with 50% occupancy. The government of the state is very strict and prefers to shut cinemas first and open them at the end of the unlock process. As a result, the industry is wondering how Maharashtra is still allowed to reopen though no one is complaining. However, with the daily number of cases all set to cross the 20,000 mark in Mumbai alone, it is believed that it’s only a matter of time before cinemas will be asked to halt operations in the state.

Hence, it can now be safely said that there won’t be a single Bollywood release in January, and also in the first 2 weeks of February. The good news is that the rate of hospitalization is minimal as the Omicron variant is causing mild illness. Many are recovering in home isolation. And experts have predicted that cases should peak in the next 10-12 days. As a result, one can expect the unlock process to begin as early as next month. It now remains to be seen if cinema halls would also be allowed to restart in February or will it be once again a very long wait for the industry.

Cinema closure: After Jersey and RRR, Attack and Prithviraj could bite the dust?

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2020, again

Spiking cases, closure of Delhi theatres egg filmmakers to defer theatrical releases again. After Jersey and RRR, Attack and Prithviraj could bite the dust
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 3, 2022)

Barely five months ago, movie buffs were celebrating the reopening of cinema halls in the aftermath of a devastating second wave. Three days into 2022, and it appears as though the events of 2020 are unfolding again. After makers of Shahid Kapoor’s Jersey, and RRR, helmed by S S Rajamouli, post-poned the release of their films, other offerings lined up for a cinematic outing this month are also apparently heading back to their calendars. With cinemas in Delhi and Haryana being shut, this move only seems imminent.

A source tells mid-day, “Obviously, [Attack and Prithviraj] will follow suit. The films will incur losses if a sector as massive as Delhi is inaccessible. While the production houses are yet to announce their decision, all the films are possibly going to be moved.”

Only if the lockdown leads to a timely drop in Coronavirus cases, encouraging governments to allow theatres to run, will the films stick to their schedule, adds the source.

Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 706

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LAST FRIDAY OF THE YEAR TO BE A DISAPPOINTMENT AS JERSEY GETS POSTPONED

All was going well as the Coronavirus cases in the country were dropping steadily. The cinema business, too, had come on track with films like Sooryavanshi, Spider-Man: No Way Home and Pushpa: The Rise - Part 01 emerging as super hits. Sadly, the Omicron variant entered the country, and has led to a significant rise in the number of cases. Nevertheless, the fear of the virus isn’t there like last time and life was going as usual. In states like Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh etc, night curfew was introduced, mainly to avoid gathering of people post evening during the festival of Christmas and during New Year’s Eve. The business was slightly impacted but no one was complaining.

But then on Monday, December 27, the government of Delhi decided to shut down cinemas with immediate effect. Shahid Kapoor-starrer Jersey was all set to release on December 31. An hour after Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made the announcement, Jersey’s producers revealed that their film has been postponed indefinitely. A few people wondered if this was the right call. After all, just Delhi city was shut; the rest of the country is functioning. However, what’s the guarantee that other states won’t follow suit and shut down theatres in their respective territories? Last year, the producers of Angrezi Medium burnt their hands when they decided to release the Irrfan Khan-starrer in cinemas on March 13, 2020, despite the Covid-19 threat looming over their heads. Within 72 hours, most states shut down the theatres and the business of that film was disastrous.

Hence, it can’t be ruled out that the makers of Jersey must have also feared that if the crucial state of Maharashtra shuts from Thursday or over the weekend and so do the other important states, the film will bomb at the ticket window.

Meanwhile, the Omicron cases continue to increase in most parts of the country. In Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra, the number of cases were around 600 on December 24 while on December 29, the number jumped to around 2500! Such a huge jump has been rare. The good news is that most cases are asymptomatic or mild and don’t require oxygen beds or even hospitalization. A few voices in the medical and scientific community are predicting that Omicron can be a blessing in disguise because though it’s more virulent, it’s also less likely to cause severe illness or even death. Hence, a prediction is made that very soon, herd immunity will be achieved and the pandemic will come to an end.

Sadly, no credible organization or government can afford to put their gear down over these beliefs. One needs scientific evidence and it’ll come in a few weeks. The industry stakeholders do understand that the government will need to put some restrictions in place. They are asking various state governments to not shut down cinemas; instead, they are requesting them instead to reintroduce the rule of 50% occupancy in cinemas in states where 100% occupancy is allowed. Also, they are also requesting that only fully vaccinated individuals be allowed inside cinemas.

Sadly, there’s no guarantee the state governments will listen to the rule, especially the Maharashtra government which has been strict in putting restrictions. Despite cases jumping to 2500+ in Mumbai, the government hasn’t told cinemas to halt operations. However, as seen in the past, if cases continue to rise exponentially, cinemas can be told to stop functioning. If this happens in a lot of states, the fate of the upcoming films can be in limbo. Next week, January 7, sees the release of arguably the most expensive film of Indian cinema, RRR. The makers are going ahead with the promotions as scheduled. However, everyone associated, including exhibitors, are prepared for any eventuality.

It is an established fact that the chances of one getting infected with Covid-19 in a cinema hall is negligible. Also, it’s bewildering to see that political rallies are allowed in a state like Uttar Pradesh, where a night curfew is in place. These rallies attract lakhs of people and where wearing of masks, social distancing etc goes for a toss. Even weddings are permitted and so are restaurants and pubs. Masks are required to be put down in these situations and it can lead to a spread of Covid-19 as compared to a cinema hall where viewers have to wear a mask compulsorily. Hence, the way cinemas are shut in the first sign of rise of cases is highly unjustified but the industry sadly, is yet to develop a spine to question the authorities over this logic.

As Jersey defers release amid soaring cases, distributors brave for another period of lull

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The interval theatre owners don’t want

Mohar Basu, Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; December 30, 2021)

In the wake of soaring Coronavirus cases, a sense of fear has gripped the film industry. Discussions about an impending halt on theatrical releases finally took centre-stage after makers of Shahid Kapoor’s Jersey pushed the film from its December 31 release date.

Cinema halls in Delhi have been  temporarily shut down, and a similar development in Mumbai is anticipated as cases inch close to the 1400-mark daily.

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh doesn’t deny that the theatre industry could see another period of lull, but he doesn’t see the need to fret, just yet. “As of now, S S Rajamouli has assured us that RRR, which is the biggest pan-India film of recent times, will release on January 7. They have hosted an event in Kerala today as well.”

He acknowledges that the closure of cinema halls in the capital has come as a blow. “It’s a big market for Bollywood,” he says, but highlights that with RRR releasing as scheduled, other film’s from the distributor’s stable are also likely to hit the marquee. “Pen Films’ Jayantilal Gada is the Hindi distributor of the film. He will also distribute Attack, that releases late in January. The next few weeks are crucial to predict the fate of Hindi films. Akshay Kumar’s Prithviraj is also among them.”

While filmmakers’ decision is only one part of the issue, Adarsh admits that box-office collections won’t look promising unless people are willing to head to theatres. The lukewarm performance of Ranveer Singh-starrer '83, he says, has only aggravated their fears. “The film held fort in the metros, but it hasn’t [earned] as much as people had expected.” The word-of-mouth promotions too, he suggests, did little to improve its performance.

While one may blame the rising cases as reason behind the film’s lack-lustre Rs 60 crore collection, Adarsh points to the fact that collections of Spider-Man or Pushpa, which also released recently, weren’t compromised.

“We can make several excuses, but that won’t change the fact that a lot of people didn’t watch 83 in theatres. It is worrisome, but as the industry adage goes, you win some, you lose some.”

Meanwhile, Gaiety Galaxy owner Manoj Desai says that while they are currently functioning at 50 per cent capacity, they may be forced to air re-runs if filmmakers continue to defer releases. “This may continue until a huge announcement of another release is made. Now, filmmakers are again scared to release their films. It is a scary situation.”

Cinema shutdown in Delhi will impact major Bollywood releases, say stakeholders

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Industry stakeholders say the move will lead to ‘irreparable losses’, and urge the govt to instead introduce safety measures such as allowing only double vaccinated audiences
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; December 30, 2021)

The Delhi government’s order on Tuesday shutting down cinema theatres and multiplexes, in view of the sharp rise in omicron cases in the city, has come as a big jolt to the industry that was just getting back on its feet. An exhibitor says, “We have seen packed theatres this month for films like Spider-Man: No Way Home. The last week of the year is when people prefer going out and watching films. This will be a huge revenue loss for cinemas. ”

‘CINEMA SHUTDOWN COMES AT THE BUSIEST TIME OF THE YEAR’
Theatres in the rest of the country, including other parts of NCR and Mumbai, remain open for now. However, with Coronavirus cases rising across the country, exhibitors fear more cities will soon introduce restrictions and lockdown measures.

Akshaye Rathi, director, Aashirwad Theatres, and an industry expert, says, “This is the holiday season, when kids are on winter break, and business is robust across the sectors, including cinemas. It’s unfortunate that a sector is being closed at this specific time of the year, especially taking into account the scenario in the last one-and-a-half years when cinemas were closed for months. Be it Delhi, or other state governments who are contemplating lockdown, authorities need to find a more pragmatic approach. For example, only allowing double vaccinated audiences to enter cinemas, and other such measures.”

Girish Johar, a producer and film business expert, asks, “Why only cinemas? Cinemas are not being treated as a business. After Sooryavanshi opened big, people were coming back to the cinema. We have seen how Spider-Man: No Way Home changed everything and is now clocking around 200 crores at the Indian box office, which is a big deal. So, what now? Thoda gire, thoda uthe, phir se ye chot. We really hope Delhi gives some relaxation to cinemas.”

Rajendra Singh Jyala, Chief Programming Officer, INOX Pvt Ltd, adds, “Whether it was Spider-Man or '83, theatres had good occupancy, and moviegoers came out to watch these films because they found cinemas to be safe. We’ve worked so hard to gain this confidence. This year-end week is one of the busiest weekends for cinemas. In fact, even on Monday-Tuesday, we had over 50% occupancy in cinemas across NCR, which is a good number for weekday occupancy. We had almost 100% occupancy last weekend. While a few moviegoers may go to watch films in Noida and Gurgaon as Delhi cinemas are closed, this shutdown will adversely affect not just the business of films which are currently running, but upcoming releases, too.”

CONSIDER DOUBLE VACCINATION, REINTRODUCE 50% CAPACITY, BUT RETHINK SHUTDOWN: MULTIPLEX ASSOCIATION OF INDIA
The Multiplex Association of India has urged the Delhi government to consider introducing a double vaccination requirement to enter cinemas, instead of a complete shutdown. Kamal Gianchandani, President, Multiplex Association of India, said in a statement, “The Delhi Government’s decision to shut down cinemas in Delhi while enforcing the ‘yellow’ alert of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has caused massive uncertainty and could lead to irreparable damage for the Indian film industry. After being allowed to reopen, cinemas have already demonstrated an ability to operate safely for the public and employees via usage of enhanced ventilation systems, hygiene, and other safety protocols. Not a single outbreak of COVID-19 anywhere around the world has been traced to a cinema. While we fully understand the need at the government’s end to take necessary preventive measures, we’d request that cinemas should get equal treatment with comparable industries and institutions.”

“Instead of closing the cinemas, we’d urge the Delhi government to consider introducing a double vaccination requirement to enter cinemas, as is the case in some of the other states (including Maharashtra). Alternatively, the seating capacity restriction of 50% can be reintroduced at cinemas. We call on the government to recognise the unique social, cultural and economic value of the Indian film industry, and to provide the support it so desperately needs to survive this unprecedented period,” the statement added.

DELHI’S THE SECOND-BIGGEST MARKET FOR BOLLYWOOD; THIS WILL IMPACT FUTURE RELEASES: INDUSTRY EXPERTS
Producer and film business expert Girish Johar says that the closure of cinemas in Delhi can have a ripple effect. “The reason is that Delhi is one of the top two cities from the revenue point of view of Bollywood films. I don’t think that producers will release films when they are on tenterhooks.” 

Akshaye Rathi, director, Aashirwad Theatres, and an industry expert, says, “The biggest territory for Bollywood films is Maharashtra, which is already operating at 50% capacity. Now, with the second biggest market – Delhi – shutting down, it is too much of a compromise revenue-wise for producers to continue releasing films, especially films which do well in Hindi-speaking markets. For a film like Valimai, there may not be that big of an impact because its main market is Tamil Nadu, but for an RRR or Prithviraj, it is a very tricky situation.”

Makers of Shahid Kapoor-starrer Jersey, have already postponed its release while upcoming films like Prithviraj and John Abraham’s Attack may also be impacted.

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