Trouble for Bollywood refuses to abate. Hardly had the Hindi film industry begun to find its feet, when, last evening, the Maharashtra government announced a complete closure of single-screen cinema halls and multiplexes in the state. Given that Mumbai and Maharashtra are major markets for Bollywood films, the move spells doom for Bollywood.
The Hindi film industry is the only major film industry in the country that hasn’t yet found its feet, post-Covid. South film industries are booming – Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam films are consistently releasing in theatres and consistently doing good business. The Bengali film industry is also on the road to recovery. Internationally too, the scenario is encouraging. The Chinese Box Office has recovered fully. Thailand Malaysia, Korea and other Asian film markets are doing well. Godzilla Vs Kong has injected fresh vigour into the U.S. Box Office.
Bollywood is the only film industry of repute that is in the doldrums, when it comes to the box office. March gave false hope of a recovery. The government allowed 100% occupancy, several Bollywood films such as Roohi and Mumbai Saga released in theatres, and the overall mood was euphoric. Then, a second, more intense wave of Covid struck the country in general, and Maharashtra in particular. The Government had no option but to impose strict restrictions, most hurtful of which were the
shutdown of cinema theatres.
Now, Sooryavanshi is postponed, Chehre is postponed, Haathi Mere Saathi is postponed. The fate of other Hindi releases of April is as yet unknown – Bunty Aur Babli 2, Thalaivi, among others. They will also most likely be postponed. And Bollywood will be back to square one – battered, bruised and not a single box office hit in sight.
The only thing that can help avert impending doom for Bollywood is a miracle that will bring Covid-19 under control. That, and a resounding reception for the two May biggies, Radhe and Satyameva Jayate 2.
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