It’s clear now that the stage is being set for cinemas to reopen after the lockdown is lifted all over India. Whether cinemas are given permission to restart on 1st August or 15th August or 1st September is still unknown but chances of an August reopening are bright. The news about 1st August being the D-day had leaked from a closed-door CII meeting in which I & B ministry secretary Amit Khare opined that cinemas should now be allowed to reopen. He mentioned 1st August and 1st September as the two likely dates. An official announcement about the exact date is, of course, still awaited.
Kamal Gianchandani, CEO of PVR Pictures, said that while the multiplex chain, like the rest of the industry, had no official confirmation about the date, it was preparing to reopen. He admitted that there have been rumours that the government would initially allow multiplexes and single-screen cinemas to reopen with 25% capacity only but the industry’s endeavour was to get permission for 50% occupancy. To the question whether PVR would reopen all its properties or not, Gianchandani replied that the chain had plans to restart each and every property. But he cautioned that after the Central government announces the date for reopening, permissions from each state government would also be necessary before cinemas could start functioning because coronavirus cases are alarming in some states while being moderate in others. For instance, the Tamil Nadu government could feel inclined to not grant permission to reopen cinemas in the state immediately, looking to the number of cases there.
Has the largest multiplex chain in the country settled matters with all its landlords on the point of rentals for the lockdown period and for the forthcoming months? “Negotiations are in progress,” said Kamal Gianchandani, adding optimistically, “A solution with each and every landlord will be arrived at.” He was concerned about the playing programmes which would be available for cinemas as a number of films had already been committed by producers to OTT platforms. “So it will take time, but we will bounce back,” he smiled. On an even more optimistic note, Gianchandani prophesied that the box-office numbers could actually spring a surprise on people. “Since cinemas would be following all safety protocols, the public just might return to the cinemas in larger numbers than we all imagine. After all, people are also missing going out to the cinemas.”
Speaking on a very practical note, he added, “If the next film of a producer like Shoojit Sircar, whose film had premiered on an OTT platform, is due for release, we will have no option but to screen it. We can’t adopt the policy of revenge because producers and distributors are joined at the hip. Whether we like one another or not, we have to move together. There is no option.”
If there are many multiplexes and single-screen cinemas which are as keen as PVR’s Gianchandani to reopen cinemas, there are others who aren’t half as happy. Bihar single-screen exhibitor Vishek Chauhan is one such cinema owner who is not at all in a hurry to restart his cinema. “Look at the way the cases of coronavirus are growing in our state,” he rues. “How can we even think of restarting cinemas and thereby risking the lives of people?” He opines that even if the Central government were to grant cinemas permission to reopen, the Bihar state government would never do so. “Since cinema is a state subject, we cannot restart till the state government gives permission, and it is only right if the government of Bihar does not grant permission at this stage,” reasons Vishek. With a touch of sarcasm, he adds, “I don’t have to report my accounts in the stock exchange, don’t have to bother about my share prices, so I am in no hurry to restart operations at the cost of human lives.” He continues making a dig at national multiplex chains, “I don’t have fancy rentals to pay to the landlord, I don’t have a CEO taking a big fat salary every month, I am my own boss, and I shall not reopen my cinema till I am convinced that I am not endangering lives.” Chauhan cites the example of China and cautions that cinemas in that country had to shut down thrice after reopening in the last four months. “If that happens in India, it will not be good,” he rues. Concludes Chauhan, “Frankly, where are the films to screen, so why are exhibitors feeling elated about the news of reopening?”
Opinion on the reopening may be mixed among exhibitors but it can’t be denied that whenever cinemas do restart operations, they will face a terribly uphill task. Since around 20 movies have been sold to streaming platforms for premiere release, there will be a shortage of playing programmes for cinemas for weeks together after they start business again. Till a Radhe or Sooryavanshi or 83 or Shamshera hits the screens, attendance in cinema halls will be poor as it will take a big-ticket entertainer for people to feel inclined to go to the cinemas. Besides, it may take weeks or months for the audience’s confidence in public places to be inspired after the terror COVID-19 has spread in the public minds. Agreed, multiplexes and single-screen cinemas will diligently observe hygiene protocols but to take the fear out of people’s minds is not going to be easy. Even if people are waiting to live life once again as in the pre-COVID-19 days, concerns of safety will be uppermost in their minds. Also, there would be the question of spending power available in people’s hands. With incomes having come down drastically and, in many cases, to zero level in the past four-and-a-half months, it is anybody’s guess that watching movies in cinema halls will be among the lowermost in people’s list of to-do things. After all, watching films is a leisure activity, not a necessity.
