In These Uncertain Times, Who Will Bell The Cat?

The government of India has allowed the Cinema Theaters to open from the 15th of this month with 50% Occupancy. Theaters have opened in few states but many states including both the Telugu States are yet to open. The Trade is reluctant to open in these uncertain times and so, the Governments are not pushing either.

On the other side, filmmakers have paused all the talks with the OTT platforms and are waiting for clarity on the theaters. Films like Solo Brathuke So Better and Rang De pulled off from the talks at the last minute. However, it looks like we are heading towards a Deadlock Situation.

The filmmakers are not keen on going for Online Release and at the same time, they are not keen on taking the risk to test the waters in these uncertain times. Some notable film has to take the risk at least for Diwali or there is a danger of films going for Sankranthi without testing the weather which will be very risky.

It’s time for the producers to sit with the distributors and exhibitors to chalk out a plan to take the industry forward. One or the other film should release at least for Diwali next month to test the waters. On the other side, it is reliably learned that both the Telugu Governments are not keen on waiving the Minimum Electric Charges of the theaters during the Lockdown.