The shutting down of single-screen theatres to make way for malls with multiplexes is a natural step towards building a more viable ecosystem of film distribution and exhibition, say industry insiders.
Over the years, this process has resulted in the reduction in running costs as seats per screen have been reduced while providing more movie options to fans.
“Running a single-screen theatre is increasingly difficult. With the theatres running empty during the weekdays, multiplexes offer more options. It is also economical from the staffing angle as more screens can be taken care of by the same staff,” says Abirami Ramanathan, managing director of Abirami Mega Mall.
However, Mr. Ramanathan did not agree that hundreds of films have failed to get a release because of the non-availability of screens. “There are around 800 screens in Tamil Nadu and most of the theatre owners are struggling to find movies that fill up the seats on most days. The problem is lack of regulation in release dates. There is a huge rush for festival dates and there are months where producers refuse to release a big-budget movie. Producers have to sort this out; there are enough screens for everybody,” he said.
Producers, however, hope that other single screens will also follow Shanti theatre’s path.
“We need more multiplexes. Mumbai alone has 3 to 4 times the number of screens that Chennai has,” said G. Dhananjayan, head of Disney-UTV Motion Pictures (South).
He agreed that the release of films needs to be regulated. “In the final week of December, four big films are expected. How can the audience be expected to watch four movies in the same week. Why lose the audience?”
