With the year having started on a low note for the film industry with mega-budget films like Chandni Chowk To China, Billu and Delhi -6 faring below-average at the box-office, the strike is expected to hurt both the sides as the industry is already reeling under the effects of global recession.
Further, though Bhatt confirmed that the Forum was entirely open to new releases at single-screens, most producers have shied away from the same.
April 10 does not have a single Hindi film scheduled for release. Films that have been slated to April-May releases include Jashn, New York, Shortkut, Sikandar and Kal Kissne Dekha.
Meanwhile, with the IPL theatre rights negotiation yet to make any headway, multiplexes are banking on Hollywood films, ongoing Bollywood and regional films such as 8x10 Tasveer in Hindi and Billa in Telegu to keep the business going, according to a spokesperson for INOX. Further, the multiplex chain is also in talks with parties for hosting international film festivals at its theatres, confirmed the spokesperson. Another major chain, Fun Cinemas has entered into a tie-up with NDTV Lumiere to showcase world cinema films such as Persepolis, The Year My Parents Went On Vacation, Goodbye Bafana and Caramel for its Delhi and Bangalore properties, according to Shirish Handa, Senior VP-Marketing, Fun Cinemas. So far, 43 films have been confirmed for release. “We have created special 7 pm and 8 pm slots for these NDTV Lumiere films. As for Mumbai, we will be having the Aarohi Film Festival kick-starting on April 27. The festival which will primarily showcase Indian short films, animation movies and ad films. We are also in talk for screening European film festivals’ content as well as staging plays,” added Handa. When quizzed about the alternate content plans for Tier II properties, he admitted that logistically as well as appeal-wise, little alternate content has been planned and business will be affected in these regions.
