With Coronavirus pandemic and associated nationwide-lockdown, single-screen theatres and multiplexes have been the most affected business across the country as they are still in the scarcity of programs to feature. Meanwhile, OTT platforms made its way to stream big banner Bollywood movies skipping the theatrical release making it even tougher for the cinema owners and exhibitors to survive the pandemic crisis.
Although the majority of the states granted the permit to re-open cinema halls with half occupancy, they are struggling to attract sufficient footfalls to strive as filmmakers are opting for direct OTT releases for their movies. Joining the industry trend, Salman Khan made a whopping 230 crore rupees deal with the Zee Studios by selling the satellite, theatrical, digital, and music rights of his upcoming actioner, Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai. Following the development, Exhibitor Associations across the country has sent a letter to the actor pleading to have a mega theatrical release of Radhe.
The letter addressing Salman Khan reads, “As you are aware, 2020 has been a rough year for millions of people across the country & the ones associated with India’s film exhibition sector haven’t been an exception. Over the last 10 months, hundreds of single screen/ Independent cinemas have pulled down their shutters permanently & this has resulted in the loss of livelihood for lakhs of people who were employed by them directly & indirectly.”
“Films are to theatres what fuel is to a car. Without a constant supply of content that is relevant to its audience, running a cinema hall is close to impossible. For over a decade now, your films have played an important role in bringing audiences to single screen cinemas, which are otherwise starved for content that caters to the sensibilities of people who patronize them,” the letter further read.
They concluded the letter by requesting the actor to support the theatre owners, their employees and exhibitors by releasing Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai with a granduer. “Your film Radhe – Your Most Wanted Bhai is among the few that are capable of resurrecting the fortunes of independent / single screen cinemas across the country. A film like that, if released widely can give not just financial support & relief, but also a ray of hope to owners & employees of theatres in the context of their future. We request you to plan the film’s release at every cinema in the country on Eid 2021, as there cannot be a better idea than that for us film exhibitors & more importantly for millions of your fans, whom we cannot wait to welcome back at the theatres,” the letter concluded with the signatures of multiple exhibitor associations across the country.
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