The films may be old, masks mandatory and the usual lavish menus absent, but Indian cinema-owners hope movie-lovers will still flock back Thursday when theaters begin reopening after a nearly seven-month coronavirus shutdown.
After the recent loss of several luminaries, the world's most prolific film industry is desperate for some good news. But it may have to wait.
INOX Leisure Ltd, India's second-largest multiplex operator, said the chain will only be screening old films when it reopens Thursday.
"Right now, what we are working on is getting the confidence of people back by letting them know that the cinemas are safe and secure," said Lalit Ojha, a regional director for the company.
A trip to the cinema remains an affordable pursuit in India, with as little as 75 rupees ($1) buying three hours of drama, dancing and song in air-conditioned luxury. A
But with temperature checks at the door, half the seats left empty for social distancing, and only a limited selection of food, the experience now is a far cry from the luxuries previously on offer.
Nervous producers have so far refrained from lining up any big-ticket releases, with many pushing their films directly to streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney+ Hotstar following the pandemic closures.
"We are hoping to have a blockbuster release at Diwali," Ojha said, referring to next month's Hindu festival that usually spells a bonanza for theatres and retail businesses.
Although analysts point to pent-up demand for the big-screen experience among fans used to watching a film every week -- India had nearly 1,800 releases in 2018 -- many may not brave the trip just to watch old movies.
"It's a vicious circle -- people won't come to cinemas unless there is fresh content. And producers won't release a movie without some guarantee that it will do good business," film trade analyst Komal Nahta told AFP.
"Ultimately, someone will have to take a chance and release an exciting film," he said.
