An image of Akshay Kumar Sooryavanshi. (Courtesy: YouTube)
Strong points
- SOPs provide for one seat distance in theaters, 50% capacity
- It also includes adequate ventilation, air conditioner temperature settings
- Movie theaters will reopen on October 15
New Delhi:
The government has given its green signal for theaters to reopen in a new COVID-19 standard defined by rigorous dos and don’ts and theater owners are also preparing, but it may be some time before that the public cannot see a new film. On Tuesday, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar announced standard operating procedures (SOPs) theaters must put in place before they open on October 15 after seven months of closure. SOPs include one seat distance in theaters, 50 percent capacity, all-weather masks, adequate ventilation, and air conditioning temperature settings over 23 degrees Celsius. “The cinemas have been closed for seven months. They now open from October 15. For the safety of people, we have issued SOPs to follow,” Javadekar told reporters.
This was great news for multiplex and movie theater owners who have long argued that it is time for the curtains to go up and also for movie aficionados who missed their big screen experience. But the mistrust persisted. Was it sure? How many people would actually brave the threat of COVID-19? What about the cost factor involved in preparing cinemas for the corona era? Given the extreme caution, it is unlikely that there will be any new content in the next few months, industry insiders have said. No one wants to take a risk.
Sibashish Sarkar, CEO of Reliance Entertainment Group, said reopening theaters is a positive sign for the industry, but showing new releases will be difficult. “We are not releasing any Diwali film (November 14th) … It is not possible to release a Diwali film at the moment. At the moment, not all theaters open from October 15th. Even if it opens on November 1, how do you get a movie out on 10 or 15 days’ notice? ”He asked.
Featured Movies Like Akshay Kumar And Katrina Kaif Sooryavanshi and Ranveer Singh’s 83 that are complete and ready to be released won’t be on the big screen anytime soon. While many films were transferred to OTT platforms during the lockdown that began in March, the highly anticipated Sooryavanshi and 83 not. Sooryavanshi, which was due for release on March 24, just a day before the lockdown went into effect, was supposed to appear on Diwali screens. “We don’t know if we’ll change the two Sooryavanshi or 83 or we’ll only change one movie … That’s clear … from December to March, that’s the realistic timeline, “Sarkar told PTI. In fact, some theaters will show old content even at the opening.
Raj Bansal, owner of a Jaipur multiplex, said the distribution and exhibition industry has been waiting for theaters to open since August, but his own theater will stick to the old one. “We have 15 days to plan things. We have software for a few Dhoom series, Golmaal, Munnabhai …, Hera Pheri and some small movies that are ready to hit theaters, “Bansal told PTI. He said the cost of operating theaters will increase by at least 10% as the premises will need to be cleaned up regularly. Devang Sampat, CEO of Cinepolis India, is It is clear that movie theaters cannot resume their normal operations without new content. It said it has implemented rigorous security protocols in line with global best practices and is ready to welcome customers again in a safe and secure world-class cinematic experience. “We ask state governments to give permission to open theaters in their respective states,” he added.
Series T chairman Vinod Bhanushali added that it was exciting that theaters were coming back after months of uncertainty. In Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, theaters could open by November or before Diwali and the company is preparing the films for a theatrical release. The company has films such as “Indoo Ki Jawani” and the still untitled biopic about badminton ace Saina Nehwal. “We will be happy if our films that are to be released on OTT hit theaters. However, that decision is up to OTT and the exhibitors and distributors,” Bhanushali told PTI. “We believe stars or superstars are created or born in movie theaters. The thrill of watching movies is on the big screen,” Bhanushali told PTI.
Producer Boney Kapoor said it would take audiences a few weeks to get used to coming to the movies. “The steps will gradually increase. Hopefully by Diwali we should have a better understanding or how good the situation is. We will think about the release once we finish shooting our movies. We pray that the steps in theaters are showing positive signs, ”Kapoor told PTI. Film exhibitor Akshay Rathi, who owns theaters in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, said the public would like a safe and secure environment and all SOPs will be implemented. “We will make sure that the best films come out in theaters so that audiences arrive in large numbers. For this, producers, exhibitors and distributors will have to work together to rebuild the habit of going to the cinema,” said Rathi at PTI.
Theaters across the country had to close in March due to the coronavirus lockdown. As the government began to relax other activities, theater chains said they should be allowed to resume operations as they were already facing losses in the order of Rs 9,000 crore. are committed to ensuring a safe, secure and hygienic cinematic experience for moviegoers in our country. As always, we will continue to place the health and well-being of our guests and employees as top priority, “said PVR The CEO of Gautam Dutta cinemas. “We look forward to welcoming moviegoers to a whole new safe and incredible experience in our theaters,” he added.
INOX Leisure CEO Alok Tandon is also hoping for a turnaround in the industry. “We are completely prepared and prepared for the new normal, which would place safety and health as the top priority,” Tandon said. Betting on the country’s unique film culture, Tandon said the announcement will help content producers develop a plan for their release. “India’s unique film culture makes us both proud and optimistic. There is a huge emotional, cultural and creative hunger in the country, which can now be satisfied to a large extent with cinemas. We know that the masses yearn to go out and enjoy their favorite form of entertainment. “In its unlocking guidelines published on September 30, the Interior Ministry had authorized the reopening of cinemas from October 15.
(Except for the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is posted from a syndicated feed.)
