Cinema exponent Manoj Desai, executive director of G7 Multiplex (Gaiety Galaxy) and Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir cinema has strongly criticized the release strategy. PriyadarshanBhooth Bangla movie, starring Akshay Kumaralleging that the decision to postpone advance bookings is hurting single-screen theatres.Speaking to FilmiFever, Desai said that he tried to contact Akshay Kumar about the issue.“Pehli baat toh sabse badi kesa karni hai… maine Akshay ko try bhi kiya do-teen baar voicemail pe. He should understand this in advance because the bookings have stopped. Until the show comes out, they first want to know how it will be done, and then open the booking. I am totally against it. That is the only reason I am giving this protest,” he said.
“They want to end single screens”
Desai didn’t hold back while talking about the larger impact on single-screen cinemas.“Restriction nahi, humein khatam karna chahte hain. Theater nahi chalne dete ho—shame on you,” he said.He added that audiences often travel long distances only to find that bookings are not open.“Log kahan-kahan se aa rahe hain aur unko pata chalta hai booking khuli hi nahi hai. Why are they doing such injustice with only one screen?” he asked.Commenting on the response to the paid previews, Desai said that the film has not opened as expected.“Jo hona chahiye woh nahi hai… phir bhi inko akkal nahi aa rahi hai. Akshay ko akkal nahi aa rahi hai. This is not the way to work with theatres,” he stated.
He cites DDLJ and Dhurandhar as examples
Drawing comparisons, Desai pointed to Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’s long theatrical run.“DDLJ 30-40 saal se chal rahi hai… public kahan-kahan se nahi aati,” he said, emphasizing the importance of audience access.He also cited Dhurandhar’s success, saying the release strategy worked better.“Dhurandhar ke time kuch bhi late nahi hua. Advance booking turant khul gayi thi. South wale logon ko akkal hoti hai… yahan koi sense of understanding nahi hai,” he added.
“Not everyone can afford Rs 500 tickets”
Desai also addressed the price gap between multiplex and single screens.“Rate kam hai toh bhi public bhaag-bhaag ke aati hai.Aaj ke time pe Rs 500-600 sab nahi de sakte. Economy ka haal dekho… aur aise time pe tum theater nahi chalne dete ho,” he said.
“The only screens are the backbone”
Seeking the support of the entire industry, Desai said the problem goes beyond a film.“Yeh sirf ek film ka nahi hai, har distributor aisa karta hai. They accept single screen theaters karna bahut zaroori hai. Agar cinema has survived kar raha hai, toh single screens ki wajah se,” he said.Despite the concerns, Desai said that exhibitors like him will continue to adapt, even if it means opting for other films to keep theaters running.
