JAIPUR: Cinema operators in the state are upbeat on the reopening of theatres from February 8 after a gap of almost 10 months. While preparations are on, some of the hall owners have planned to come up with a system where there will be no human touch in ticketing, food and in other things. They will start with previously released films and wait for new releases.
TOI on Tuesday spoke to various operators and film distributors to know how the theatres are responding to the reopening.
“Since no new films are releasing, hall owners will have to bank on previously released films. Hopefully, we can have new releases from March onwards,” said Raj Bansal, a leading film distributor.
An official of INOX cinemas said. “We will start a few screens as we need to ensure safety and hygiene. We are hopeful to set a benchmark on hygiene and disinfection. Also, we will have paperless ticketing and security checks without human touch. People booking tickets on the counter will get an SMS with a link to see their seat number and where exactly the seat is located inside the auditorium to avoid any human touch.”
Likewise, there are some hall owners who are on ‘wait-and-watch’ mode. “We will first see the response of film lovers,” said Nandu Jalani, manager of Prem Prakash hall.
Many cinema exhibitors are hopeful that within a fortnight things would become normal. “Though in Rajasthan, we can’t book more than 50 per cent of our seats, we are hopeful in the next fortnight, capping would be removed,” said a cinema operator from Ajmer.