Poor show in cinemas in Bengaluru on strike day

Eight Kannada films hit the screens on Friday ahead of Gowri-Ganesha festival

The nationwide strike affected films released on Friday with most single-screen theatres and multiplexes reporting that occupancy was down by an average of 20 per cent.

A record number of eight Kannada films hit the screens on Friday ahead of the Gowri–Ganesha festival. Except the much-awaited Neer Dose , starring Jaggesh, audience reception was poor for the rest.

“It looks like the audience decided to stay away, fearing disturbance,” said K.V. Chandrashekar, proprietor of Veeresh theatre. Besides

Neer Dose, Kempannana Court Case, Jil jil, Avadhi, Selfie, Bablusha, Prema Geema Jaane Do and

Sikkapatte Ishtapatte were released on Friday.

“The other films did not have much publicity, and the strike further dented their prospects,” said a senior film publicity handler. There was an over 20 per cent dip in ticket sales at Kapali, which is screening

Crazy Boy while only 10 tickets were sold for the Telugu film being screened at Movieland in the morning, according to counter reports.

As many as 146 Kannada films were released in 2015. This year, 118 have been released till August-end.

170 films this year?

According to an estimate, considering the number of films that are lined up for release, the total may touch 170 by the end of 2016, which would be a record of sorts in Kannada cinema.