Forget Covid-19 scare, Multiplexes want to reopen as threat of OTT looms large

Mumbai: Two days after the Unlock 2.0 was announced, the Multiplex Association of India (MAI) has urged the government to allow theatres to reopen. In a statement issued on July 2, the MAI stated that unlike the unorganised retail shops and marketplaces, they were in a better position to limit crowds and ensure safety protocols. More than the scare of Covid-19, it is the new trend of more and more films opting for the Over the Top (OTT) platform for release is what is giving Multiplex owners the jitters.

Citing how multiplexes that hired two lakh people directly and accounted for about 60% of film industry revenues, the MAI said it felt demotivated and disheartened to be clubbed as prohibited activity category, when multiplexes could instead be good examples of safe and planned social distancing and crowd control practices. 

The gradual unlocking and the Mission Begin Again raised hopes for the theatres to reopen by July. 

Siddharth Jain, director of Inox Group had in fact stated in an interview that he expected the theatres to reopen by mid or end of July, probably a fortnight after the malls would be opened. The PVR Pictures group, too had on June 19, announced theatrical release of about nine Hollywood movies in India probably anticipating the opening up of theatres. Kamal Gianchandani, CEO of PVR Pictures Ltd had then stated: “We have faith in a theatrical rebound and we look forward to being there right on of the gate with our exhibition partners anticipated re-emergence, as and when, state by state, safety guidelines are met and the theatres start to reopen.” 

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In such an atmosphere, when states like Maharashtra announced lockdown entire July, the sector obviously felt let down. The MAI had already made representations to the Union government with plans for safety measures like reduction in seating capacity keeping empty seats between families and groups. With more and more films jumping on the OTT bandwagon has only given them the jitters. The Disney+Hotstar had on July 29 announced six movies on its platform with an array of top stars like Ajay Devgan, Akshay Kumar, Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt attending their online event. 

Yusuf Shaikh, head (distribution and IPR) of Percept Pictures told thenews21.com, “Its a double edged sword for the theatres. If they open and the numbers of Covid cases shoot up, then what will they do? Is the audience in a frame of mind to step out to watch movies? People are scared and producers are not willing to wait for the theatres to open. Even if the theatres open, will they be able to operate with full seating capacity needed for big movies to profit. It is a demand and supply situation in the market. Even big players understand the ground situation and hence movies like Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi and Kabir Khan’s 83 have directly announced theatrical release dates for Diwali and Christmas respectively because they don’t expect things to improve very soon.” 

Avid movie buffs too are equally concerned about the situation. Sadiq Kazi, a businessman, who would catch movies first day first show earlier, now, says that it is not health concerns rather the economic part that worries him post-Covid theatrical releases. “As much as our TV screens may have turned bigger, but some films are meant only for the big screen spectacle. Having said that, earlier a normal family outing would not cost anything less than Rs 1,500 in a multiplex, now with staggered seating arrangement, will it mean more ticket prices for me? Theatres are clearly discretionary spending for me. I am not that worried on safety precautions as I am sure that theatres will take care of that well. But, for now I will go to the big screens only for the big spectacular movies, those just not meant to be watched on OTT.”