Diwali is here now and the big Hindi titles will soon be released. There is ‘Singham Again’ and then there is ‘Bhool Bhulaiya 3’ too. There are multiple movies from other industries as well. And now the Bengali movies are facing the threat of being pulled down from theaters. ‘Bohurupi’ has become the biggest blockbuster of the year and has broken many box office records. That, along with the admirable ‘Tekka’ and ‘Shashtri’ have baffled analysts with their exceptional business.
Even long after Durga Puja, these movies have worked out really well during the office days too. But now, before Diwali, the Bengali titles are at the risk of being pulled down by theaters. This is very common and has happened many times before. Makers and distributors have complained about this phenomena and requested the government to intervene into the matter and do something. Though, there is actually little chance that the government will actually do anything about it.
Shiboprosad Mukherjee, director of Bohurupi, has said, “Bengali cinema has sustained both single screens and multiplexes for three weeks. Yet, during Diwali, our films run the risk of being pulled down. I could still comprehend if our cinema didn’t do good business. The exhibitors are earning by screening our films. My film had back-to-back houseful shows during and after the pujas. Why should our shows be cut down now when it gives business during the dull period?”
The distributors have also emphasized that Bengali cinema will never regain its respectful place if even the successful movies are removed when big Diwali releases come to theaters.