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Category: Movies

  • Second Covid wave chokes India; filmmakers eye OTT route for new releases

    Second Covid wave chokes India; filmmakers eye OTT route for new releases

    MUMBAI: After showing signs of flattening the curve, India is once again struggling to leash the deadly virus that has reared its ugly head in the last few weeks. On 13 April, the country recorded more than 1,61,736 Covid2019 positive cases and over 900 related deaths. As the pandemic rages on, several states including Maharashtra and Karnataka are considering a second lockdown. 

    Like all other sectors, the entertainment industry in India is also facing a setback due to the resurgent virus. Even though the government gave permission to open theatres in November 2020, the footfall in cinema halls was very low, and most screens in Maharashtra witnessed an attendance of just four to five per cent. 

    Covid brings entertainment industry to its knees

    Even though several Bollywood movies including Mumbai Saga hit the big screen, none of these films succeeded in creating an impact at the box-office. Industry experts believe that the only way to revive the exhibition industry is by waiving taxes imposed on cinema halls, and by allowing them to function without restrictions. 

    "If theatres in Maharashtra remain closed due to lockdown, it could affect Hindi movie releases in all other states as well,” pronounced Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association of India president Nitin Datar. “Theatres are making sure that all hygiene measures are adopted to combat the spread of the Coronavirus. Even though the attendance in theatres is very low, the expenses incurred by theatres which include electricity bills, taxes (including entertainment and property) remains the same. In Maharashtra alone, theatres incurred loss of Rs 800 crore. We request government to waive the taxes which is very much necessary for the exhibition industry to survive.''

    Datar also added that the closure of theatres in Maharashtra could not only affect theatre owners, but will also impact the lives of thousands who are directly or indirectly dependent on cinemas. 

    "In a theatre, there will be 25 workers. There will be four or five people working in the parking area, and other people working in the canteen area. In the surrounding areas, around the theatres, it will be a market hub depending on people coming to theatres. All the small shops are also dependent on the public who come to see cinemas. Around 1000 or 2000 people used to visit the theatres every day, and these retail shops are running relying these theatre visitors," he pointed out. 

    Exhibitors are ready to cooperate with whatever call the government takes during the pandemic, said Dadar, but at the same time, they expect help to survive.

    Production houses may postpone releases

    If a possible lockdown happens in Maharashtra, release of several movies including Sooryavanshi and Salman Khan's Radhe may get postponed. With a power-packed star cast of Ajay Devgan, Akshay Kumar, and Ranveer Singh, Sooryavanshi is scheduled to release on 30 April, but if theatres remain closed, makers may postpone the theatrical hit, and some day, may even opt for an OTT release. 

    Elara Capital vice president & research analyst (media & consumer discretionary) Karan Taurani hinted that theatres will return to pre-pandemic normalcy only by September 2021, which means several big budget movies may well take the direct to OTT route.

    "In January 2021, industry experts believed that theatres will return to pre-pandemic normalcy by May-June 2021. However, due to the second wave and a lockdown scare, things have turned upside down. I personally believe that the process of returning to normalcy will take some time, and I believe things will return to pre-pandemic atmosphere by September 2021. Makers of films like Sooryavanshi may consider OTT release, as the content is getting old," he said.

    Taurani also added that OTT releases are inevitable in the current scenario. While films like Sooryavanshi are not made to release on video streaming platforms, the current pandemic situation is compelling production houses to release their films online. 

    "If filmmakers have the option to release movies in theatres, they will obviously screen in big screens. And personally I believe that production houses will not opt for simultaneous releases in both OTT platforms and theatres on the same day, a practice which is widely followed in Hollywood," he stated. 14apr-Anx-mailer.html

  • Amid pandemic scare, ‘Godzilla vs Kong’ enjoys dream box-office run

    Amid pandemic scare, ‘Godzilla vs Kong’ enjoys dream box-office run

    NEW DELHI: Adam Wingard's Godzilla vs Kong was one of the most-anticipated films of the year, though with many big-budget movies getting pushed back due to the pandemic, stakeholders were jittery if the monster action flick would come to cinemas. However, the movie had its international theatrical release on 24 March 2021. Amid the Covid2019 scare, the film was warmly welcomed by audiences all across the globe, and viewers praised Legendary Pictures for expanding its 'Monsterverse' with another epic outing.

    Godzilla vs Kong creating a storm globally

    Even though the film had its international release on 24 March, Godzilla vs Kong hit cinemas in the US on 31 March. On the second weekend, the film topped the US domestic box office by collecting $13.4 million, thus bringing the monster mashup's stateside haul to $69.5 million, an impressive figure in the midst of a global pandemic. 

    On the first weekend, Godzilla vs Kong collected $32.2 million at the domestic box office. Industry experts consider this figure phenomenal as the film had a simultaneous OTT release on HBO Max. 

    According to a report published in Reuters, Godzilla vs Kong is now the top-grossing film of the pandemic era, bypassing Christopher Nolan’s science fiction action thriller Tenet, which grossed $58.4 million at the US box office. Ilya Naishuller's action thriller Nobody starring Bob Odenkirk is also enjoying a decent theatrical run, with $15.6 million in collections at the US box office after three weeks of release. 

    Godzilla vs Kong makes waves at Indian box-office

    Even though the country is battling a second Covid wave, Godzilla vs Kong is making bank at the Indian box-office as well. In the initial days of its release, most of the multiplexes in India that screened Godzilla vs Kong recorded an attendance of 30 to 35 per cent. Even though the exact collection figures of the monster movie in India are not available, industry experts reveal that the film is already a profitable venture for distributors. 

    Elara Capital vice president & research analyst (media & consumer discretionary) Karan Taurani noted that the success of Godzilla vs Kong hints at the fact that audiences will visit theatres to watch movies that demand a theatrical watch. 

    "OTT releases are the necessity of the current scenario. But at the same time, audiences are not hesitant to visit theatres to enjoy movies that demand a theatrical watch. Consider the example of Godzilla vs Kong. The film which offers a visual extravaganza is enjoying a spectacular run at the Indian box-office. If big movies like these continue hitting the theatres, it will surely revive the exhibition industry in India," said Taurani. 

  • ShortsTV & BookMyShow Stream bring home the Oscars magic

    ShortsTV & BookMyShow Stream bring home the Oscars magic

    MUMBAI: After the much-awaited announcement of Oscar 2021 nominations last month, film enthusiasts in India can now watch this year’s Academy Award contenders for short films from the comfort of their homes. ShortsTV has collaborated with BookMyShow Stream to present these films exclusively to Indian audiences. The partnership will bring this year’s most spectacular short films under the live action & animation category starting 16 April, 2021. 

    This year, for the first time, Indian audiences will get the chance to watch Oscar-nominated short films before the Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday, 25 April 2021. These films can be accessed on rent at Rs 149/- per category.

    To learn more about how to rent these 2021 Oscar-Nominated Short film compilations, please visit https://in.bookmyshow.com/explore/c/stream. Users will be able to pre-book these films on BookMyShow Stream, starting today.

    ShortsTV president – Asia Tarun Sawhney said, “Short films have surged in popularity in India over the last couple of years and what is better than bringing Oscar nominated Shorts straight to your living room courtesy our partner BookMyShow Stream. Film buffs this year would be able to stream the world's best short films directly on their screen without the hassle of traveling to a theatre.”

    BookMyShow COO – cinemas Ashish Saksena added, "BookMyShow Stream has successfully brought the magic of world cinema to the screens of Indian audiences with a thoughtfully curated content library from across the globe. Our partnership with ShortsTV is a step forward in enriching this content experience for users, as we get ready to showcase this year’s spectacular line-up of Oscar-nominated short films and share the excitement around one of the most-awaited award cinema ceremonies in the world with millions of movie fans in the country."

    Coinciding with the theatrical and virtual releases, ShortsTV has also launched The ShortsTV Podcast – Award Season and is releasing weekly episodes leading up to the awards ceremony. Guests include Academy members, industry insiders, this year’s nominees, previous winners and more. The podcast is currently available to stream on Spotify, Google Podcast and iTunes.

    Nominations for the 93rd Academy Awards were announced on 15 March 2021. The complete list of this year’s nominated short films are as below:

    ANIMATED SHORT FILM NOMINEES

    GENIUS LOCI

    Director: Adrien Merigeau

    Synopsis: One night, Reine, a young loner, sees among the urban chaos a moving oneness that seems alive, like some sort of guide.

    Country of Origin: France

    TRT: 16 minutes

    Language: French

    IF ANYTHING HAPPENS I LOVE YOU

    Director: Michael Govier, Will McCormack

    Synopsis: In the aftermath of tragedy, two grieving parents’ journey through an emotional void as they mourn the loss of a child.

    Country of Origin: USA

    TRT: 12 minutes

    Language: English

    OPERA

    Director: Erick Oh

    Synopsis: “Opera” is a massive 8K size animation installation project which portrays our society and history, which is filled with beauty and absurdity. Erick enables viewers to experience the range of in-depth emotions through this epic reflection of human life.

    Country of Origin: USA/South Korea

    TRT: 9 minutes

    Language: Non-Dialogue 

    YES-PEOPLE

    Director: Gísli Darri Halldórsson

    Synopsis: One morning, an eclectic mix of people face the everyday battle – such as work, school and dish-washing. As the day progresses, their relationships are tested and ultimately their capacity to cope.

    Country of Origin: Iceland

    TRT: 8 minutes

    Language: Icelandic

    LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM NOMINEES

    FEELING THROUGH

    Director: Doug Roland

    Synopsis: A late-night encounter on a New York City street leads to a profound connection between a teen in need and a Deaf-Blind man.

    Country of Origin: USA

    TRT: 19 minutes

    Language: English 

    THE LETTER ROOM

    Director: Elvira Lind

    Synopsis: “The Letter Room” is a dark prison comedy about the secret life of a correctional officer who gets transferred to a job in the letter room, where a new world suddenly opens to him ways to find solace and spirituality afterwards.

    Country of Origin: USA

    TRT: 33 minutes

    Language: English 

    THE PRESENT

    Director: Farah Nabulsi

    Synopsis: On his wedding anniversary, Yusef and his young daughter set out in the West Bank to buy his wife a gift. Between soldiers, segregated roads and checkpoints, how easy would it be to go shopping?

    Country of Origin: Palestine

    TRT: 25 minutes

    Language: Arabic/English  

    TWO DISTANT STRANGERS

    Director: Travon Free, Martin Desmond Roe

    Synopsis: In "Two Distant Strangers,” cartoonist Carter James' repeated attempts to get home to his dog are thwarted by a recurring deadly encounter that forces him to relive the same awful day over and over again. Starring Joey Bada$$, Andrew Howard and Zaria Simone.

    Country of Origin: USA

    TRT: 29 minutes

    Language: English 

    WHITE EYE

    Director: Tomer Shushan

    Synopsis: A man finds his stolen bicycle, which now belongs to a stranger. While attempting to retrieve it, he struggles to remain human.

    Country of Origin: Israel

    TRT: 21 minutes

    Language: Hebrew 

  • FCAT abolished, filmmakers criticise government’s decision

    FCAT abolished, filmmakers criticise government’s decision

    NEW DELHI: It was on April 7 that the government decided to abolish the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) with immediate effect. The statutory body was formed in 1983 to hear appeals from filmmakers against the rulings by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). FCAT has played a crucial role in releasing several films which were initially banned from screening by the CBFC. 

    The Centre’s decision to do away with the FCAT has been met with widespread condemnation from filmmakers in the country, with industry stakeholders opining that such a move from the government could lead to creative restrictions, and may even delay film releases. 

    With the FCAT now dismantled, producers and directors unhappy with the censor board's verdict will have to approach the high court for remedy. 

    Soon after the abolition of FCAT, several prominent personalities including National Award-winning filmmakers Hansal Mehta and Vishal Bharadwaj, and actor Richa Chadha took to social media to pan the move. 

    "Do the high courts have a lot of time to address film certification grievances? How many film producers will have the means to approach the courts? The FCAT discontinuation feels arbitrary and is definitely restrictive. Why this unfortunate timing? Why take this decision at all?" tweeted Hansal Mehta. 

    Omkara director Vishal Bhardwaj censured the government's move to shut down the FCAT, calling it a “sad day for cinema.” 

     

     

    CBFC former chairperson and actor Sharmila Tagore also came out in support of filmmakers and made it clear that the decision to abolish FCAT could not only consume the time of the judiciary but also delay the release of films. 

    "I don’t know what the rationale is, what was the reason for doing this. I don’t want to comment on it at all. But FCAT was a body that was presided over by a judge and they had very eminent members. I felt since there was a legal body already present, why can’t that body look into these PILs and then later, the courts are always there. The problem with the court is everything takes a little longer. Producers can’t risk it. For them, even a week’s loss is huge," Tagore told Indian Express. 

    Several filmmakers had previously made use of FCAT to release their films on time. In 2017, Alankrita Shrivastava had approached FCAT after CBFC refused to certify Lipstick Under My Burkha. After watching the movie, FCAT asked to give an 'A' certificate to the movie with a few edits. In 2016, it was the intervention of FCAT that helped Anurag Kashyap to release his film Udta Punjab. 

  • “Joji’ movie review: Dileesh Pothan’s Macbeth adaptation is an insightful crime drama

    “Joji’ movie review: Dileesh Pothan’s Macbeth adaptation is an insightful crime drama

    MUMBAI: Dileesh Pothan is widely considered one of the most talented filmmakers in Mollywood. His debut movie Maheshinte Prathikaram that starred Fahadh Faasil was a critical and commercial success, and later, the duo came together to deliver another blockbuster with Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum. And now, Fahadh and Dileesh have teamed up again with Joji, and the film had its OTT release on Amazon Prime Video on 7 April.

    Dileesh Pothan's adaptation of Macbeth

    Joji is inspired from one of Shakespeare's four major tragedies, Macbeth. In adapting the play for Indian audiences, Pothan and writer Syam Pushkaran set the story against the backdrop of a rich Christian family in south Kerala. The film primarily focuses on the three sons of a wealthy plantation owner, who are vying for their share of the inheritance after their father suffers a stroke. 

    The eldest son Jomon (Baburaj) is much like his father. He is tough, hard-working, and also an alcoholic. The second son Jaison (Joji Mundakkayam) is an ordinary man who runs the family’s ancestral business. However, the third son Joji (Fahadh Faasil) is considered a bit of a worthless person by his family members, and his father always calls him a baby born out of 'rubber milk'. 

    Even though neither Jomon nor Jaison have proper plans to inherit their share of the property, the aimless Joji has a proper plan to secure his father’s huge wealth for himself. 

    Despite being a modern-day adaptation of Macbeth, Pothan and Pushkaran have brought together elements from KG George’s emergency-era classic Irakal to construct a wholly original world of a Christian family. The writer conveys that self-interest and money define all human relationships, and if needs are not met, people may often turn violent. 

    Strong detailing supported by a stellar star cast

    The film solely belongs to Dileesh Pothan and Syam Pushkar. From the opening scene where young Popy receives an air gun from an e-commerce seller, the plot is rich in foreshadowing and building anticipation. In one scene, Bincy (Unnimaya Prasad) asks Fahadh Faasil to wear a mask, symbolic of the mystery and crookedness associated with his character. The request from Bincy also harks back to the iconic words uttered by Lady Macbeth, "Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it.” 

    The dialogues are crisp, and the cinematography is atmospheric. With a runtime of just one hour and 52 minutes, Joji touches the highpoints of the thriller genre and will not bore audiences in the least. 

    When it comes to performances, Baburaj shone as Jomon. The director deserves plaudits for bringing back Sunny, whose only film performance happened a few decades back in Sphadikam. Joji Mundakkayam and Unnimaya Prasad excelled as the couple duo. Fahadh Faasil, as always, did a remarkable job and breathed life into Joji on screen. 

    Final verdict

    Joji is a complex and insightful crime drama film crafted by Pothan and masterfully delineates how society and family incite criminal traits in the mind of a person. Dileesh Pothan has scored a hat-trick by delivering three successful movies which are special in their own way.

  • Curtains for Cinemas?: Industry pins hopes on vaccine roll-out amid second wave

    Curtains for Cinemas?: Industry pins hopes on vaccine roll-out amid second wave

    KOLKATA: The film entertainment segment of the M&E industry was perhaps the worst hit due to a long-term closure induced by the outbreak of Covid2019. With phased opening and beginning of theatrical releases, the allied segment had been on the course of recovery, but the second wave of the pandemic has abruptly derailed hopes of revival.

    After fresh lockdown guidelines were enacted in Maharashtra, shares of major multiplex chains like Inox and PVR slipped for two consecutive days, given the fact that the state contributes to around 35 per cent of all India box office.

    “As a responsible organisation, we completely relate to the Covid situation in Maharashtra. The revival process of the cinema industry had begun, and the recent curbs are much like a speed-breaker in the journey, which we shall surpass soon in a month’s time,” said Inox Leisure Ltd Alok Tandon.

    He went on to add that the performance of movies like Roohi and Godzilla Vs Kong showed that audiences are willing to turn up in big numbers for new and good quality content, even after an elongated lockdown.

    However, more than cinema occupancy, what’s adding to the woes of cinema owners is that the skyrocketing caseloads have once again disrupted the release calendar. Akshay Kumar-starrer Sooryavanshi, originally scheduled for March 2020, has been postponed indefinitely from its 30 April 2021 release date. Eventually other big ticket releases like Radhe will follow the same path, Elara Capital VP research analyst (media) Karan Taurani surmised.

    Like a playback of last year, this lockdown too will be lifted in a phased manner based on the number of daily cases, opined Taurani. But this time around it may not be as troublesome as 2020, and unlock will happen more swiftly thanks to the vaccine roll out being ramped up. However, he pointed out that theatres may well be the last to open up even if cases come down.

    On the other hand, Inox’s Tandon has reposed faith in upcoming content and increased turnout in the markets dependent on movies in other Indian languages, especially in the southern and eastern parts of the country. Over the past few months, movies like Master, Roberrt and Uppena had brought out the southern audiences in droves. Yuvarathnaa, Sulthan and Wild Dog are also currently performing exceedingly well in the South Indian markets, he added.

    “With Covid cases rising again, there are two major factors which will determine the future of theatrical revenues. One is the fear factor which can lead to lower footfalls even if theatres are open. Secondly, the slate: some films have again started postponing their releases. Unless there is a mass vaccination drive properly rolled out and a solid film slate of releases, the situation is probably not going to improve meaningfully,” EY India partner and media & entertainment leader Ashish Pherwani remarked.

    He also noted that the uncertainty around recovery timelines could result in further direct-to-digital releases, but that may not be a permanent trend. In a similar vein, Taurani mentioned that there is already a big backlog of films and April-June was supposed to be a period where cinemas could go back to 17-20 per cent occupancy on the back of big Hindi releases. Now, many of the mid-small budget producers will again go for OTT premieres. 

    Moreover, in-cinema advertising, which went down almost 90 per cent in 2020, will also be keenly impacted even if the theatres are open in some states.

    “Artificial intelligence has actively taken over the cinema advertising space and this allows for delivering appropriate content depending on location of the cinema, ticket price, demographic and occupancy,” said Harkness Screens Asia EVP Preetham Daniel. “Though the occupancy levels in the auditoriums are not as high as pre-Covid, the value of the advertisement, I believe will be equally impacted. Having said this, the revenue from advertising will definitely take a hit. We had seen the occupancy numbers and box office rising but given the second wave, we may see it drop again as some large releases will now get pushed to June.”

    The advantage of AI is the decision to play a particular ad will now be more accurate based on the heaps of data available on people behavioural pattern, he explained. This allows for brands to sign on long term as opposed to a weekly or monthly run. While Covid2019 also has affected the on ground activation campaigns for the brands, Daniel remained optimistic that it will eventually pick up as and when hyped movies hit cinema screens.

    “Thanks to a huge pent-up demand and a stellar line up of movies, 2021 is destined to be a blockbuster year for us, and we are still certain about it. In the current situation, we have pinned our hopes on the rapid and widespread vaccination drive, which we hope would arrest the surge in cases,” Tandon said.

  • Multiplex Association writes to Maharashtra CM, says possible lockdown could hit cinemas

    Multiplex Association writes to Maharashtra CM, says possible lockdown could hit cinemas

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra has been witnessing a drastic surge in coronavirus cases over the past few days, and several medical experts have suggested that the only possible way to curb the rising caseloads is by implementing a second lockdown. Amid looming uncertainty over a possible shutdown, the Multiplex Association of India (MAI) has written to Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, saying that another lockdown, if implemented, could hit the film exhibition industry very badly. 

    The MAI added that yet another halt on operations could also negatively affect the functioning of retail and shopping industries. 

    "Such measures that curtail smooth operations will not only deter genuine movie-goers and shoppers, who have slowly returned to cinemas and shopping centers, from visiting cinemas and malls but also put into motion a downward spiraling effect on cinema industry and modern retail that could derail the recovery of these segments," the association stated.

    In the letter, the MAI noted that the implementation of a second lockdown in the state will result in the postponement of several Hindi movie releases, which will in turn create an extremely hostile situation for cinemas across the nation. 

    The MAI added that "second lockdown will be extremely detrimental and would lead to severe and irreversible consequences for the cinema exhibition sector." 

    It was on 13 March 2020 that the Maharashtra government decided to close all cinema halls in the state due to the rising number of Coronavirus infections. The closure lasted until 9 November, and now, even after five months of opening, the industry has not stabilised due to the hesitance of people to enter movie halls. 

    Further, the MAI pointed out that cinema halls are ensuring sufficient hygienic practices, and even being a closed setting, theatres are safer when compared to local trains, metro trains, and airlines. The letter also asserted that a lockdown on cinemas will be discriminating and discouraging. 

    After months of remaining shuttered, cinemas reopened in October 2020 with a 50 per cent cap on seating and had to adhere to strict protocols issued by the government. Restrictions were further eased from 1 February 2021 and theatres were allowed to operate at 100 per cent capacity. However, footfalls have been low, and according to a Livemint report, hovering between seven to 30 per cent in north India. There are exceptions to this abysmal trend — Tamil film Master ran to packed houses even after arriving on an OTT platform, while Telugu film Uppena has also done great business.

  • Fresh Covid wave chokes Bollywood, regional industries partially safe

    Fresh Covid wave chokes Bollywood, regional industries partially safe

    NEW DELHI: After showing strong signs of flattening the curve, Covid2019 has again reared its ugly head in India. With more than 59,117 positive cases recorded on Thursday, infections of the deadly pathogen are climbing up steadily in the country, and experts are not ruling out the possibility of a second lockdown in the near future. With the pandemic returning with a vengeance, one sector which is bearing the brunt is the entertainment industry. Even though regional industries like Kollywood, Mollywood, and Tollywood are partially succeeding to bring audiences to theatres, Bollywood is struggling to keep its head above water.

    People hesitant to visit theatres

    Several studies have previously found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus has the capability to spread drastically in closed spaces, where ventilation is limited. Due to this factor, the Indian government ordered a shutdown of all cinema halls in the nation in the initial phase of the 2020 lockdown. After a few months, when cases in the country started declining, authorities gave permission to open theatres with limited capacity, and a few films were released for public screening. 

    Some of the noted films that had theatrical releases post the Coronavirus outbreak were Bollywood films Roohi and Mumbai Saga, Mammootty's Malayalam film The Priest, Vijay's Master, and Telugu movies Krack, and Uppena. 

    Of these, south Indian flicks like Master, The Priest, and Krack managed to draw audiences to the theatres. However, Bollywood films failed to attract viewers, especially due to the rising caseloads in Maharashtra. Even though the John Abraham and Emraan Hashmi-starrer Mumbai Saga garnered positive reviews from all corners, the film managed to collect only Rs 2.85 crore on its opening day, followed by Rs 2.4 crore on the next.

    Considering the pre-release hype generated by Mumbai Saga, the recent figures are not promising, especially at a time when Maharashtra is becoming the nation’s Covid epicentre.

    Studios planning to postpone releases

    With audiences a no-show in theatres, several top studios in the country are deferring the release of their films; some are opting for OTT premieres instead. Take for instance Drishyam 2, one of the most anticipated movies of the year which landed on Amazon Prime. Producer Antony Perumbabvoor’s decision paid off and the Mohanlal-starrer became a sensational hit on the OTT platform; in fact, it helped Amazon Prime Video expand its subscriber base with the release of this single movie. 

    As the second Covid2019 wave washes over India, notable Bollywood production houses are delaying the theatrical release of several films. It has been previously reported that Rana Daggubatti's Haathi Mere Saathi would come to theatres on 26 March 2021. But due to the rising number of cases, especially in Maharashtra, Eros International has pushed back the release of the Hindi version, while the release of the Telugu and Tamil versions will go as planned. 

    Meanwhile, Zee Studios has also announced that they have postponed the release of upcoming Punjabi movie Puaada starring Ammy Virk and Sonam Bajwa in the lead roles. 

    "Due to the rising cases of Covid2019 and new guidelines for cinemas, with weekend and night closures of theatres, we have decided to postpone our movie Puaada until further notice," said Zee Studios in a statement. 

    According to The Storytellers Fund managing partner Naveen Chandra, with 50 per cent occupancy limits and only 60 per cent theatres open pan India, there is no way big-budget films can recoup investments if they’re released now.

    "The only option is to hold the film till market conditions make for a viable release. Those that cannot hold will try and negotiate a direct OTT deal to avoid further loss of their investment. But,  audiences are hungry and waiting for good content to arrive at the theatres. So whenever the theatrical markets open fully, we should see some good collections at the box office,” stated Chandra.

    Bollywood films suffering, regional movies relatively untouched

    The decision to postpone movies by Zee Studios and Eros Entertainment comes at a time when Maharashtra accounts for nearly 60 per cent of the overall daily Coronavirus cases being reported in India. The state reported more than 28,000 cases in the past 24 hours. As most of the B-Town activities are centralised in Mumbai, industry experts believe that release of several other movies may also get pushed back if the second wave continues to wreak havoc. 

    Elara Capital vice president – research analyst (media & consumer) Karan Taurani has hinted that releases of big-budget outings like Sooryavanshi and Radhe may also get delayed if the recent spike in Covid cases carries on unabated.

    "Makers of Sooryavanshi are planning to release the movie on 30 April. The condition in Maharashtra seems very heavy when it comes to the number of cases. And I think the marketing of the film will begin by the first week of April. So, until the first week of April, if the situation does not improve, there is a high likelihood that Sooryavanshi's release may also get postponed. If the situation persists until May, the release of movies like Radhe may also get affected. It is a very big blow to cinemas, as the industry is missing April-May months when big films used to get released," Taurani told Indiantelevision.com. 

    The media veteran also talked about the dream run of Vijay's Master in theatres amid coronavirus scare. 

    "When Master was released in January, things were different as the Coronavirus curve was showing signs of flattening. However, after the success of Master, no big movies were released in Tamil, and none of the small-budget Kollywood movies that hit the theatres during this time span made an impact. Some Telugu films made with a moderate budget did make their presence felt at the box-office," added Taurani. 

    He went on to mention that ever since the shutdown of cinema halls, the condition of theatre workers is very troubling, and it will take some time before things return to normal.

  • Disney pulls a Warner Bros, sets ‘Black Widow’ for simultaneous release

    Disney pulls a Warner Bros, sets ‘Black Widow’ for simultaneous release

    NEW DELHI: Taking a cue from rival Warner Bros, media & entertainment behemoth Disney has set its highly anticipated MCU outing Black Widow for a simultaneous release in cinema halls and on its premium streaming service, Disney+ Premier Access for an additional cost. After interminable delay due to the Covid2019 pandemic, Black Widow, which was initially supposed to come out last May, will now hit the big and small screen on 9 July.

    With this announcement, Disney has also revealed its upcoming film Cruella will follow the same strategy, coming to theatres as well as Disney+ (via Premier Access) on 28 May. Also, Pixar’s animated movie Luca will now be skipping the silver screen and debut exclusively on Disney+ on 18 June.

    The release dates of several other movies have also been pushed back – Ryan Reynolds-starrer Free Guy will now come to cinemas on 13 August, another MCU film Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is set for 3 September, while The King’s Man will drop on 22 December. The Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas thriller Deep Water will now come out on 14 January 2022 instead of its August release; Death on the Nile, the film adaptation of the Agatha Christie mystery featuring an ensemble case, is coming next 11 February, instead of this September. 

    While Marvel fans may be rejoicing at this piece of good news, the mouse house's decision to defer six of its big-ticket releases comes as a blow to cinemas, which have been struggling ever since the pandemic-induced lockdowns. Moreover, the simultaneous digital release of some of these movies will undoubtedly impact theatres in terms of ticket and concession sales, while boosting the already rising fortunes of Disney+.

    Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution chairman Kareem Daniel said the move “reflects our focus on providing consumer choice and serving the evolving preferences of audiences.”

    It may be recalled that last year, Disney's Mulan released exclusively on Disney+ and subscribers had to shell out an additional $30 access fee to watch it. After the fact, Walt Disney Co boss Bob Chapek had been cagey about the revenues Mulan netted, though he pronounced himself "pleased" with its performance.

    The pandemic has forced Disney and other entertainment companies to shift gears and recalibrate their business strategies. In December 2020, to the dismay of many industry stakeholders, WarnerMedia dramatically boosted the profile of its HBO Max streaming service when it announced that 17 movies — the entire 2021 Warner Bros slate — would be available to subscribers at the same time as cinema audiences.

  • Black Sand wins best documentary at Best Film Awards

    Black Sand wins best documentary at Best Film Awards

    MUMBAI: Dr Sohan Roy’s directorial Black Sand has won the Best Documentary honour in the Nature Documentary Category at Best Film Awards. The documentary film is produced by Abhini Sohan Roy under the banner of Aries telecasting, and was also officially selected for Best Documentary Award, L’Age d’Or International Arthouse Film Festival and Rajasthan Film Festival 2021.

    Based out of London, Best Film Awards is an organisation that brings IMDb Monthly Qualifying Film Festival with live screening once a month. It also makes an annual film for filmmakers around the world.

    The documentary showcases the horror caused by the irrevocable damage caused by mining in Alappad, which turned into a graveyard far from the scenic beauty it used to be. Alappad is a coastal region, where consistent plundering of the black sand resource through mining has engulfed half of the inhabitants’ land and homes. Roy zeroed in on this subject for the documentary after realising the grave importance of bringing the intensity of this environmental threat to light. A compassionate person concerned about social and environmental well-being, he has worked relentlessly in numerous ways to address the issues faced.

    Dr Roy is well-known for his Hollywood movie DAM 999, which contended for the 2011 Oscars and received five selections in three categories. He has also been instrumental in sending 24 Indian movies including Pullimurugan, Kayamkulam Kochunni, Aickarakkonathe Bhishaguguranmaar, etc which all contented for Oscars in the Best Picture Category in the last few years.

    Documentary video Link:

    https://vimeo.com/474663719/7779f72d3c