Theatre owners dismiss the downfall of theatrical business

Cinema halls are here to stay and will only get stronger as big-budget Bollywood films get lined up for release, even as a section of critics have put a question mark on the uncertain future of the exhibition sector due to the increasing popularity of streaming platforms, believes Gautam Dutta, CEO of PVR Limited.

The Coronavirus-induced nationwide lockdown had put a halt on theatrical screenings of films last year, paving the way for makers to find an alternate medium to release their films on streaming platforms.

With many films of the biggest stars - from megastar Amitabh Bachchan, superstars Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, actors Ayushmann Khurrana, Varun Dhawan, Sidharth Malhotra - finding their way to the digital platform, conversations around the downfall of theatrical business had started to pick up speed.

Though the lockdown restrictions had eased and theatres started to reopen in phases this year, it was not until the Maharashtra government announced the opening of cinema halls from October 22 that led to a flood of Bollywood films' announcements.

In an interview, Dutta said as the industry geared up to welcome filmmaker Rohit Shetty's much-awaited cop-drama 'Sooryavanshi' on November 5, the naysayers of the theatrical industry witnessed that the sector is alive and thriving.

"During piracy, the phase of DVDs or when the IPL started, there were those who crossed out theatres, that no one will step out once the match starts. But nothing happened. The pundits have always put this across. The latest addition is the OTT (over-the-top platform). But what has happened? Nothing," he said.

He added, "Films in Punjab, South are doing business higher than pre-COVID era. Let us wait and watch when 'Sooryavanshi' and '83' (director Kabir Khan's cricket drama) come out. The debate will be over. We are so used to people just striking us off, but the theatrical experience can never go out of fashion. Watching something at home just does not give this feeling."

'Sooryavanshi' was originally supposed to be released last year but the pandemic thwarted its plan and the Akshay Kumar-starrer was put on for indefinite hold.

The action drama, which also features Katrina Kaif, Ajay Devgn and Ranveer Singh, became the first major film to release post the reopening of cinema halls in Maharashtra - a key territory for the revival of the multiplex industry - which has allowed theatres to operate at 50 percent occupancy.

The total screen count of PVR Cinemas stands at 157 screens across 38 properties in Maharashtra.

"Now that we have reopened, we will put the house on fire. We have already tested and seen what is happening in other markets. In every field, people say there is 'revenge eating' and 'revenge buying', so now there will be 'revenge viewing' as well," shared Dutta.

He promised, "Once people come back, they will be back for good. 'Sooryavanshi' is the big initiator as it will get the entire nation to move. Every region, every circuit will possibly come alive."

The multiplex chain recently launched its new theatre, PVR Maison, here. The luxury boutique property, which is a six-screen multiplex, will house two new LUXE screens and one viewing room for private screenings.

November, alone, will be a busy month for Bollywood with back-to-back releases post 'Sooryavanshi', starting with Yash Raj Films' 'Bunty Aur Babli 2', Salman Khan-starrer 'Antim: The Final Truth' and 'Satyameva Jayate 2', headlined by John Abraham.

Apart from the Ranveer Singh-starrer '83', December will see theatrical release of films like 'Tadap', Ayushmann Khurrana-Vaani Kapoor starrer 'Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui' and end with another cricket story 'Jersey', featuring Shahid Kapoor.

"The slate is packed, so now you step back and see what is happening. This is where the OTT versus cinema discussion ends. It is not as if OTT does not want these films but if given a choice. People said, 'No one wants to go to the cinemas, filmmakers are preferring the OTT'. But this was never a race. I was not running a race either. Now that cinemas are open, everyone is announcing the release of their films," admitted the CEO.

Gautam added, "The makers could have gone to the OTT, but they did not, why? Because the process is they first go to the cinemas then six weeks later head to the OTT and then to the national television. These announcements tell you that everybody wants to follow this pattern, even at 50 percent occupancy."