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Cinema theatres in India have been shut since 14 March because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The closure continues to affect the livelihood of lakhs of people.
According to the Multiplex Association Of India (MAI), the multiplex industry in India employs over 2,00,000 people who are the backbone of the Indian film industry as they account for nearly 60 per cent of revenues of the film business.
MAI, the cinema body, which represents all the multiplex chains including PVR, INOX and Cinepolis, made an appeal to the Indian government to reopen cinemas. Their main contention was that if malls, railways, airlines, gyms and metros have been permitted to reopen, why not cinema halls?
Speaking to the The Quint, Alok Tandon, CEO - INOX Leisure Ltd said, "We believe that cinema environments are more controlled spaces than any other unrestricted public space. More importantly, by staggering the show timing and regulating entries and exits, cinemas can keep a check on crowd sizes. Lastly, the personnel who manage cinemas are professionally trained, and can, therefore, ensure compliance to the redesigned SOPs."
Adding to this debate as to why theatres need to reopen, Kunal Sawhney, Sr VP Carnival Cinemas, said that they conducted multiple surveys and found that around 75 to 80 per cent people belonging to different age groups miss watching films at theatres and want cinema halls to be operational.
He added, "So many people's livelihoods are dependent on this industry. Just not the employees but other people who are suppliers, transporters, etc. The economy has to come back and we pay a huge tax to the government. When everything else is open now then why not cinemas?”
Several film producers and actors came out to support the appeal by cinema owners. Several voices on social media also jumped in to back cinemas and the ongoing debate – if metros can operate why can't theatres?
According industry experts, the cinema exhibition sector generates revenues to the tune of approximately Rs 1,500 crore per month. Given that the lockdown on theatres has extended to six months now, the estimate is that the sector would have lost about Rs 10,000 crore so far.
While cinema halls are gearing up to reopen, the struggle doesn't end even after it gets states' nod to open up. Despite lesser footfalls there will be extra investment on sanitisation and other precautions for the audience. Theatres are focusing on spending the first 30 days in building trust and confidence with their customers. Kunal Sawhney, Sr VP Carnival Cinemas, said, "The first 30 days we will not consider it as an expense. It's more like a marketing cost which we will be considering to get business from the 31st day."
They also hope that the continued partial lockdown will work in their favour. The average occupancy in theatres in India is 28 per cent, and there were selected shows that would go full during the weekends. But now, because of the work-from-home situation and other restrictions, people are expected to make movie plans not only on a Friday evening but even on other weekdays.
It is expected that once theatres reopen, it will take a month or two before the audience is fully comfortable with the idea of returning to the movie halls. With producers not willing to take a chance on releasing any new films in theatres immediately, what are cinema halls going to show once they reopen?
Assuring that they are following all safety measures, Alok Tandon, CEO - INOX Leisure Ltd, said: "All our guests will have to mandatorily wear masks, and there will be temperature checks happening at the entrance. We will also keep PPE kits available for purchases. There will be extensive sanitisation drills, disinfection processes at the right places and at the right moments. There will be pedal operated touch-free hand sanitisers placed at important locations across the cinema. Our shows will be programmed in such a manner that there are no simultaneous entries, intermissions and exits.”
In the age of the pandemic, the most important factor is safety and for this MAI, in its appeal to the government, has mentioned that the following SOPs will be followed in the theatres:
Only paying patrons will visit the halls, unlike other activities where there are no entry tickets.
Movie show timings will be staggered. Therefore, no crowd build-up.
Controlled and regulated entry and exits.
Availability of ample waiting areas
Cinemas are professionally managed. Hence, compliance to SOP is assured.
Exhibitors are also depending on technology to keep human interaction at a minimum.
However, the question is - when will the public feel confident and safe enough to go back to the cinemas? Multiplex owners are hoping to see normalcy once new movies start releasing and Diwali is an event when they are hopeful to see movie-goers making their way to theatres with a big release.
While most multiplex chains can afford to stay afloat and change with the times, single screen owners are faced with the looming threat of a complete shutdown as they are unable to bear the financial brunt of the lockdown.
Manoj Desai, who owns 8 theatres in Mumbai, including one of the oldest, Maratha Mandir, says he has lost Rs 60 to 70 crores in the past six months.
He added, "It's going to be almost 7 months. There is no income but all expenses are still the same. Nor has the govt relieved us from property tax, neither has it relieved us of show tax. We have to also pay the minimum electricity bill. On top of that we have to pay the staff. Till now we have no notification as to when theatres will reopen."
Desai also says that the government has not sent a single letter, whereas their association has written 8 to 10 letters to the Home Minister and the Chief Minister. Akshay Kumar apparently offered to help them by contributing a month’s salary and expenses but the offer was politely refused.
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