Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Oct 16: After a gap of seven months, movie theatres at multiplexes in the city and Udupi opened on Thursday October 15 for the movie buffs. Single screen theatres remained closed. The theatres at the multiplexes suffered from dearth of audiences.

Out of the three multiplexes in the city, a handful of audiences were visible at the Big Cinemas and the Cinepolis. Only a few screens were operational. PVR is yet to be opened. Three shows were planned at the Big Cinemas Manipal but these shows were cancelled for want of audiences. Inox theatre did not open due to technical reasons.

Reasons for the audiences to stay clear of theatres could be many. Foremost of them is the fear of coronavirus. Secondly, the films which were being exhibited when the theatres were suddenly closed due to an order of the government seven months ago, were shown on Thursday. But the people have already seen them on televisions and hence showed their disinclination to see them again. A few came to check on the new system while others were there just for time pass.

The staff at the multiplexes said that unless new films are released, it would be futile to expect audiences. Even if they are released, the people may not come to the theatres in a big way. Once colleges are opened, some students might come to theatres. For the present, people with families may not want to come to theatres, they feel.

Theatres opened at various places in the state but the audience response was lukewarm. Single screen theatres opened only at a few places. Even some multiplexes remained closed. Theatres in Chitradurga, Davanagere, Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Uttara Kannada, Chamarajanagar, Kodagu, Mandya, Hassan, Kalabuagi, Yadagiri, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Bidar, Koppal, Raichur and Ballari districts did not open. The exhibitors have placed some demands before the government. It is said they may choose to remain closed till their demands are considered favourably.

Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce chairman, Jairaj, said that people have shown interest towards coming to theatres and watching the movies. "We are sure that in the coming days they will come to theatres in good numbers, watch the movies and support the films," he said.