NEW DELHI:The films may be old, masks mandatory and the usual lavish menus absent, but Indian cinema-owners hope movie-lovers will still flock back Thursday when theatres begin reopening after a nearly seven-month coronavirus shutdown.
The pandemic has clobbered cinemas around the world, but in India, it has upended a culture that treats movies as something of a religion, and its stars as gods.
After the recent loss of several luminaries to coronavirus, cancer and even suicide as well as a raging scandal over drug use in Bollywood the world's most prolific film industry is desperate for some good news.
But it may have to wait.
INOX Leisure Ltd, India's second-largest multiplex operator, says the chain will only be screening old films when it reopens Thursday.
"Right now, what we are working on is getting the confidence of people back by letting them know that the cinemas are safe and secure," said Lalit Ojha, a regional director for the company.
A trip to the cinema remains an affordable pursuit in India, with as little as 75 rupees ($1) buying three hours of drama, dancing and song in air-conditioned luxury. At high-end cinema chains like INOX, patrons can even get biryani or hot fudge sundaes delivered to their recliners.
But with temperature checks at the door, half the seats left empty for social distancing, and only a limited selection of food, the experience now is a far cry from the luxuries previously on offer.
- Vicious circle -
Nervous producers have so far refrained from lining up any big-ticket releases, with many pushing their films directly to streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+ Hotstar following the pandemic closures.
"We are hoping to have a blockbuster release at Diwali," Ojha said, referring to next month's Hindu festival that usually spells a bonanza for theatres and retail businesses.
Although analysts point to pent-up demand for the big-screen experience among fans used to watching a film every week India had nearly 1,800 releases in 2018 many may not brave the trip just to watch old movies.
"It's a vicious circle people won't come to cinemas unless there is fresh content. And producers won't release a movie without some guarantee that it will do good business," film trade analyst Komal Nahta told AFP.
"Ultimately, someone will have to take a chance and release an exciting film," he said.
A handful of producers are reportedly ready to take the risk, with at least one Hindi film, "Suraj Pe Mangal Bhari", due for release on November 13 Diwali weekend.
Top Bollywood producer Aditya Chopra is also preparing to release "Bunty Aur Babli 2", a sequel to a 2005 hit, at the same time, according to media reports.
But with India's virus cases surging past seven million, the threat of infection remains strong, prompting authorities in Mumbai, the home of Bollywood, to put off reopening cinemas for the time being.
"Mumbai is the heart of the film industry if theatres are closed there, half the battle is already lost," said analyst Nahta.
In such uncertain times, if the remaining cinemas are able to sell even half the tickets available 25 percent of normal capacity they can celebrate, he said.
"If they manage to fill 60 percent of the seats on offer, it will be superb news for the industry."
AFP RELAXNEWS
Thu Oct 15 2020

A worker (R) checks the body temperature of a visitor at the entrance of a New Delhi theatre during a sanitisation work ahead of the scheduled reopening of cinema theatres on October 15. AFPRelaxpic

Clarification on the investment in Sapura Energy by MDH
Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) as the existing significant shareholder of SEB.

Floods recede in Beaufort, but residents remain wary of downstream water flow
While floods in Beaufort are receding, residents remain on alert for downstream water flow that could bring floodwaters from inland areas.

Govt to ensure establishment of SEGiM aligns with introduction of Gig Workers Bill
The government intends to ensure that the establishment of the Malaysian Gig Economy Commission (SEGiM) is in line with the introduction of the Gig Workers Bill.

UK steel industry warns of damage as Trump tariffs come into force
US President Donald Trump's tariffs on UK steel "couldn't come at a worse time," the industry has warned as the levy on US imports is introduced, reported PA Media/dpa news.

Penang allocates RM49.45 million for Phase 1 of i-Sejahtera Programme
The Penang government has allocated RM49.45 million for 274,151 recipients under Phase 1 of the i-Sejahtera Programme this year.

PM Anwar calls on all parties to be agents of unity, help unite people of different races
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on all Malaysians to join hands to become agents of unity and assist the MADANI Government in its efforts to unite all Malaysians

Women representation in senior management fall to 36.2 pct in 2025
The Grant Thornton Women in Business Report reveals a concerning decline in the representation of women in senior management positions in Malaysia.

Singapore Airlines prohibits usage, charging of power banks from April 1
Singapore Airlines (SIA) passengers will not be allowed to use power banks or charge them throughout their flight effective April 1.

Captain of cargo ship arrested over fatal collision in North Sea
The cargo ship captain involved in the North Sea's deadly collision has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

No plans to follow us in repatriating illegal immigrants - KDN
For the period up to March 9 this year, the total number of deportations from Immigration depots was 9,199 people.

Air pollution responsible for nearly 7 million deaths annually worldwide
A report by the World Air Quality Index indicated that only 17 per cent of cities worldwide meet the recommended air quality standards.

At least 137 Gazans killed in Israeli attacks since ceasefire
According to the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor , Israel has been killing an average of seven Palestinians every two days.

Malaysia strengthens semiconductor supply chain with ASEAN member countries - Liew
Malaysia does not intend to compete with neighbouring countries or other ASEAN member states in its efforts to strengthen supply chains.

Six men arrested for alleged misappropriation of subsidised cooking oil in Semenyih
Six men, including five foreigners in their 30s, were arrested for alleged misappropriation of subsidised cooking oil.

Hamas says new round of Gaza ceasefire talks has begun
expressing optimism that the talks could lead to "tangible progress"

Ukraine says ready to accept 30-day ceasefire with Russia
Ukraine conveyed its readiness to accept a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, as delegations from Kyiv and Washington met in Saudi Arabia.

Musk's SpaceX agrees Starlink cooperation with Airtel in India
Tech billionaire Elon Musk plans to enter the Indian internet market with his Starlink satellite system, reported German news agency dpa.

Trump announces higher steel and aluminium tariffs for Canada
US President Donald Trump plans to impose additional high tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from Canada.
![[COLUMNIST] The futility of resisting English: A barrier to national progress [COLUMNIST] The futility of resisting English: A barrier to national progress](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-03/81741686561_EMIR.jpg)
[COLUMNIST] The futility of resisting English: A barrier to national progress
Promoting Malay language doesn't mean disparaging or undermining other languages, we can uplift it without diminishing others.

What is driving the bloodshed in Syria?
The violence has pitted the Islamist-led government's security forces against fighters from Assad's Alawite minority.