MUMBAI: Even as the state government allowed movie theatres to reopen from Thursday at 50% capacity, merely a handful were in a position to do so. Several multiplexes had cancelled their housekeeping contracts months ago and some had even cut their power connection. Besides, a majority are yet to put in place a new revenue model based on the government’s 50% seating criterion.
Multiplex Association of India office bearers say it will take at least one more week, till November 13, for even 25% of the total 745 screens in the state to start playing movies as they have to rehire staff as well as come up with a new revenue model. While 575 of the 745 screens in the state are inside 150 multiplexes, the rest, 170, are single screens.
Mumbai has 193 screens in 42 multiplexes and 66 are single screen theatres.
“All the equations around financial feasibility will have to be revisited in the backdrop of the state’s condition to run theatres at 50% capacity. This will take some time to set,” said the association secretary Prakash Chaphalkar.
Theatre owners could have made arrangements to start shows immediately if the state government had announced the date earlier, said Chaphalkar. The state made the announcement on Wednesday.
“Some members are of the opinion that if they open theatres so quickly, they may incur more losses than during the lockdown period. Also, food will not be allowed inside cinema halls,” added Chapalkar, pointing out that talks were on with producers to decide on the content and revenue models that can survive in the new normal, at least till full seating capacity is allowed.
In the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Navi Mumbai has 25 screens in six multiplexes, Thane has 10 screens in three multiplexes, besides four single screens, and Kalyan-Dombivli has only eight single screens. Major players in the state’s segment include Inox, PVR, Cinepolis, Carnival and Citypride.