The big-screen magic comes alive again

The reopening of cinema halls to 100 per cent occupancy in Kolkata and various other parts of the country, in the first week of March, has brought back life and colour into the film industry. During the pandemic, which included two lockdowns, like other businesses, showbiz, too, took a big hit and cinema halls had to pull down their shutters. Now that theatres are operating at 100 per cent capacity, the audience is flocking back for the big-screen experience.In February, Badhaai Do led the way, and was followed by Gangubai Kathiawadi — both films lured the audience to the theatres in large numbers. The upcoming festival of Holi will also see a big-ticket release, and theatre owners are hopeful that the business will continue to flourish.
Business will grow from here on
Talking about the growth in the movie business after a span of two years, Kamal Gianchandani, President of the Multiplex Association of India, says, “Films like Gangubai Kathiawadi, Valimai and The Batman have added to the box office collections. Jhund has grown with every passing day and is holding ground. The Kashmir Files, too, is doing well. We have a string of big films and content-driven movies lined up. So, the business is only going to grow from here on. I think the coming financial year may be one of the best ones we have ever experienced so far,” says Gianchandani.
We can now meet the audience’s demand fully
Film exhibitor and distributor Satadeep Saha, who owns a chain of theatres in Kolkata and Tripura, says, “The entertainment business is shaping up well after a lull of two years. The audience is coming back to theatres with a bang. A lot of good films are lined up for the next few months, which definitely is great news for us. However, there should be a breathing space between two releases, so that all films get some time to do business.”

People will come to theatres if we give them something good to consume
As filmmakers took to releasing their films on OTT during the pandemic, there was a lot of noise about how it would be challenging to bring people back to the theatres. Now, experts say that the box-office results of the latest films have dispelled that notion. Navin Choukhani who owns a single screen theatre on Prince Anwar Shah Road, says, “Many films released on OTT platforms during the pandemic and we had a feeling that the audience won’t come back to theatres for a very long time. But that is not true. If we provide good content, audiences are bound to come back to theatres. The last few releases proved just that. Holi will be a great time for family and friends to watch films together. Also, a bouquet of good big-budget Hindi and Bengali films is set for a release during Poila Baishak and summer vacations. Now, it will only get better for the industry at large.”
Filmmaker Dhrubo Banerjee adds, “I have always believed in the magic of big-screen and never had an iota of doubt that OTT will compromise the cinema-going experience. Cinema reflects the social being that we are, people coming together and enjoying varied emotions as a social group. And that’s what makes a theatrical experience so much special. Never ever have the audience shied away from acknowledging good content and that is going to stay forever.”

Nothing can match the big-screen experience: Kolkatans
Citizens of Kolkata are back to enjoying the big-screen experience, too. Ashok Sen, an IT professional says, “I went to the theatres after two years to watch The Batman and what an experience it was! Nothing can match the big-screen experience. We are already making plans for our next outing. It was great to see a film in an auditorium that was almost full. One can never get that kind of an experience at home.” Purbani Saha, a school teacher by profession, adds, “All this while we had no other option but to sit at home and watch content online. Now that everything is getting back to normal, why should we watch a new film at home? No way! Eating your favourite food in a restaurant has a different charm than ordering that same food at home. It holds true for movie lovers as well. Watching your favourite stars on the big screen is magical!”
Hygiene and safety precautions are our top priority: Theatre owners
Besides ensuring that staff members are fully vaccinated, theatre owners claim that other safety measures are also in place. Sourav Bose, who owns a single-screen theatre at Hazra, adds, “Our theatre has a fumigation machine to sanitise each seat before a show starts. That apart, we have kept a considerable amount of gap between two shows, so that our team has ample time to sanitise the auditorium. Masks have been made mandatory for all staff members at entry points. Ticket checkers and ushers insist on wearing masks without which entry is restricted for the audience. Our prime concern is audiences’ safety and they should feel secure inside the theatre. The houseful shows at the theatres prove that the audience believes in big-screen entertainment.”