Too many films & not enough slots: Exhibitors

This Pujo, the box office is gearing up for a major clash as four Bengali films – Dhrubo Banerjee’s Raghu Dakat, Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee’s Raktabeej 2, Subhrajit Mitra’s Devi Chowdhurani and Anik Dutta’s Joto Kando Kolkatatei are releasing on the same day – September 26. While the WB government’s recent mandate ensures every cinema must dedicate a prime-time slot to a Bengali film, exhibitors say the rule has only heightened the challenge of slotting and balancing expectations.

Tough choices
The simultaneous release of four big Bengali films on the same day has left exhibitors scrambling. “It’s not right for so many films to release together. They should ideally be spaced out. Our problem has only increased, as we have to decide whom to allot screens to,” says Navin Choukhani of Navina Cinemas. Arijit Dutta, Priya Cinema echoes the concern, saying, “Everyone wants more slots, but we’re a single-screen theatre with limited shows in a day.”

Multiplexes confident of handling Pujo releases

Multiplexes on the other hand are well-prepared to manage multiple releases. According to Amitava Guha Thakurta, regional director & zonal head of PVR-Inox, the chain has been following the government’s mandate since day one. “We’ll distribute the films as per the schedule. With multiple screens, we’ve been able to do justice to all movies and will continue doing so,” he says.

Single-screen challenges

• With atleast one Bengali film mandated between 3pm and 9pm and each lasting approximately 3 hours, single screens are finding it difficult to accommodate all four
• With all films clashing for prime slots, runs may shrink to two to three weeks instead of eight to 10 if the releases were spaced out
• Single screens are facing difficulty meeting viewer demand for the films
• Staff and hall management will get stressed out due to back-to-back shows

‘Trying to give all films enough shows’

Distributors say the final decisions rest with cinema owners and cannot be rushed. Rajkumar Damani says, “The decision on which films get the prime slots ultimately rests with the cinema owners. Every film cannot get an equal number of shows; some will inevitably get less.” Pointing out that in most other states no more than two regional films release together, he adds, “But here we are seeing even more than that.”

Single screens struggle to cope

Single screens are under pressure to satisfy viewer demand while managing limited showtimes & slots. Satadeep Saha of SSR Cinemas admits it is tough and they are yet to decide on the show distribution. Sourav Bose of Basusree Cinema says, “Raghu Dakat will get a prime time slot, and Raktabeej 2 is also a big film. That means we’ll have to push the other films to earlier or later timings.” Prabir Roy, owner of Menoka and Ashoka cinema, adds, “We have three prime time slots usually, but late night shows also count as one during Pujo. We’ll give the slots, but everyone will have to adjust.”

What other experts have to say:

If the releases were spaced out, they could run in theatres across eight to ten weeks. Now, with all releasing together, they are likely to wrap up in just two to three weeks
– Arijit Dutta, owner, Priya Cinema

With no festive Hindi releases before October 2, Bengali films will take the front seat across our screens. We are looking forward to it
– Amitava Guha Thakurta, regional director and zonal head, PVR-Inox

Releasing all the films together is harmful for the industry and difficult for everyone. Equal distribution is not possible and single screens will have to adjust as best as they can
– Joydeep Mukherjee, owner, Binodini Theater