The multiplexes are reopening tomorrow in all the states in India. The single screens in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have dropped off their plans to reopen from October 15.
As we have reported earlier, the single screens have many issues to grapple with. They need strong content (means new releases with noted stars) to attract the audiences. Plus, this is not the right time to reopen cinema halls as the two Telugu states are facing the incessant rains. The COVID19 situation has also not subsided.
Moreover, the distributors are not in the mood to pay advance amounts to the new releases. The government of India has permitted only 50 percent of occupancy. With such low seating capacity and uncertainty about the patronage of the audiences, the distributors don’t want to take risk of paying big amounts to the producers.
Films like Ram’s “Red”, and Sai Dharam Tej’s “Solo Brathuke So Better” were bought by the directors long back. But exhibitors, distributors and producers need to agree to sharing of revenue and expenses in the changed scenario.
In a major relief, Qube, UFO, and other companies have reduced the Virtual Print Fee (VPF) charges to 50 percent to ease the burden on producers. But there are many things to be resolved before the cinema halls to get back to the business. Main importantly, they need to have a strong release order of new films.
