The government of India has officially permitted to open theatres and screen movies. The decision is left to the respective state governments, and it has led to fractured implementation so far.
When it comes to the Telugu states, the theatre owners have decided to wait for the right time. They have a few demands, and the government is looking into them. However, more than the opening or the closing, it is the content that is the problem.
More than a dozen films are waiting in the cans to hit the theatres. And yet, none are willing to make a move. Everyone has a ‘wait and watch’ approach due to the scepticism involving the audience – will they come to cinemas?
The few screens opened in Vizag suggest that there is a segment which will come, but they have no fresh content to watch. At this time, a few smaller ventures should take the risk and come theatrically. Unfortunately, they are all looking at the Sankranthi season.
As many as ten films are positioned to hit the screens for Sankranthi 2020. It is a disastrous step to be taken. The current OTT fever already spoils the audience; he fears the coronavirus and to then have so many films is like an overdose. The rules and regulation will be further dampened their interest.
Instead of testing the audience in a phased manner (one after other) with small to medium budget films, thrusting them all at once could produce a reverse reaction. As they say, too much of anything is good for nothing. It will be the case with cinemas as well if there is no proper planning.
TFI, with its many films, is in the right position to bring back the audience to cinemas slowly. Here’s hoping that some sense prevails and the releases are planned accordingly. All or none policy would be detrimental to the industry when seeing the bigger picture.
