Cinema screen shortage debate
A theatre owner, Vishek Chauhan, has criticised the Indian government over the shortage of cinema screens across the country. He believes theatrical infrastructure should receive the same attention as other industries. Despite its huge population, India has fewer than 10,000 cinema screens, according to several industry reports.
Vishek said stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan cannot be created through OTT platforms alone. He believes theatres play a key role in building a star’s popularity and offering audiences a shared big-screen experience that streaming services cannot match.
He also pointed out that theatres contribute to the economy beyond entertainment. Cinema halls create jobs for staff and support nearby businesses, including food outlets, transport services and other local establishments. According to him, this wider economic impact deserves greater recognition from the government.
The discussion comes at a time when India continues to have one of the lowest screen densities among major film markets. A 2026 industry report stated that India had around 9,927 cinema screens in 2024, compared to 9,527 in 2019. The same report estimated that increasing the total to 20,000 screens could create 1.25 lakh jobs and generate an additional Rs. 950 crore in tax revenue.
For Vishek, the issue is straightforward. He believes that if the government can support infrastructure and industrial growth, the cinema exhibition sector should also receive similar attention.
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