Discounts will be available on ticket-food when theaters open

Cinemas have been closed in the country since March due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown and now it is expected that a decision may be taken to open in September. Malls, saloons, gyms, restaurants, and markets have been reopened as part of a phased unlock process, but theaters are still closed.

Theaters owners, especially multiplex operators, are hopeful that a decision may be taken to open them in the fourth phase of the unlocking process starting next month. With the opening of theaters, most operators have also made preparations to give tickets between 15 to 30 percent discount on tickets, food, and drink for publicity among the customers.

Carnival Cinemas Managing Director PV Sunil says, "It has been almost six months since the cinemas closed. They are definitely in demand. Most of the players in our region have made up their mind to offer discounts and offers to encourage the audience which will be given for at least two months after the cinema reopens. Safety and hygiene standards will also be strictly enforced in theaters to ensure that customers feel comfortable when they return to the cinema hall. '

Industry experts say that the reopening of Cinemahal from September will also give operators enough time to prepare for the Dussehra-Diwali time, which is an important time for the Cinemahal business. Usually, Bollywood and other regional film industries release their major films during the October-December period, during which many festivals also take place. However, filmmakers have been forced to resort to the digital medium in the last few months to release their films. But if the cinema halls reopen then it will not be needed.

It has been reported that single screen and multiplex operators can meet the Maharashtra government officials this week to discuss the way forward in terms of re-opening theaters. Industry officials said the central government may issue standard operating procedures which cinemas will have to follow after the Cinemahall reopens next month.

Cinepolis India Chief Executive (CEO) Dewang says industry people are in talks with the filmmakers about the film's release in the next few months. Sampath is also a director of the Multiplex Association of India. Industry sources said that Akshay Kumar's film 'Suryavanshi', Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan starrer 'Lal Singh Chadha', Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone's film '83' will be released in theaters between October and January.

Multiplex operators also hope that the guidelines issued by the central government to re-open theaters in September may address the number of people allowed to sit within theaters. The first discussion was that during the re-opening of theaters, only 25 percent of the total seats would be allowed to be occupied by the customers, who had reservations about the industry.

He says that this number is not enough. Now experts say that the government can allow 50 percent capacity, keeping in mind the demand of the industry. Due to the Covid-19 epidemic, it is estimated that the cost of managing theaters can increase by about 20-25 percent. However, owners of multiplexes can compensate for this by cutting staff because the operations are now being done digitally so that people-to-people contact can be reduced.

Before the Covid-19 crisis, the number of people who went to multiplex was on average 35-36 percent, which can remain at around 25-30 percent for the first three to six months after cinemas reopen.

After opening theaters again, the audience will welcome measures such as seat distance, contactless service, and better sanitation from entry to exit. Viewers watching the film will be encouraged to book their tickets and food items in advance and wear masks and must maintain discipline when entering and leaving the cinema hall. The need for housekeeping staff will increase more and the employees of Cinemahal will be examined periodically to ensure that they do not have any health-related problems.