Sure, when this question (the one in the title) was asked almost a year back, many scoffed at the “ridiculousness” of such a query. “The pandemic is going to die down soon” and “Nothing can replace a theatrical experience” were few of the replies told back with confidence by the “true cinema lovers”. Fast forward to a year, a second wave of the coronavirus has shut down more than half the country with a possible third wave of the virus on the horizon. With theatres and cinema halls shut down in multiple key states in India, are we now looking at the end of an era?
First, let’s get one thing straight. Eventually, in the distant future, we expect to live in a world where coronavirus will not be threatening our lives like how it is now (fingers crossed). And the “Nothing will replace theatres” statement is true for the most part. Theatres have played a huge part in Indian cinema and will probably still have some effect in many years to come, but here’s the issue – if theatres can’t open in the first place or won’t play the movies in the first place, then there are no big screen openings ever again. Let’s elaborate on that.
Indian theatre chains and Independent theatres owners incurred Lakhs of Rupees of debts (Crores in many cases, even tens and hundreds of it) during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic. They only managed to earn a few months of profits when theatres were allowed to be opened again, and that was until the second wave hit. They have now shut down again, going back to ever-increasing debt. Eventually, this reaches a breaking point and we know that multiple theatre owners have been forced to shut down their cinema halls (and theatre chains) to stay afloat, while many having to sell their theatres at a reduced rate, in order to survive.
Of course, theatres are an important part of the movie experience, but until this pandemic shuts down, we are just going to be looking at more direct-to-OTT releases. And even though multiple theatre and distributor associations will be against this decision, these film production companies are trying to survive, just like them. However, this will lead to bad blood between the theatre owners and the production companies & filmmakers. Which is not good for any of the parties involved.
We are looking at a crisis in Indian cinema which many still have not realised and it will not end until the coronavirus has truly gone and the theatres start to make profit. Till then, the Central and State Governments should be easing up on tax revenue of this industry until something changes. And even after all that, there will still be some irreversible damage done to this industry – to the point of no return (if it hasn’t happened already).
Theatres In India | Movie Theatres In India |CinemaTheatres In India