Pandemic sounds death knell to single screen cinemas

Karnataka’s single screen theatres that after used to be the center of the cinema enterprise are going through the intense danger of slipping into oblivion with the primary and second waves of COVID-19 sounding the death knell to the present enterprise. With no hopes in sight, the exhibitors are opting to completely shut down theatres, unable to bear the losses.

More than 30 single screen cinemas have been shut down within the State and three alone in Mysuru metropolis, which was as soon as the second largest cinema income incomes centre, after Bengaluru metropolis.

Lakshmi Theatre, which was into present enterprise for the final 70 years in Mysuru, introduced its closure with no prospects of early revival of the business. Shanthala and Sree Nagaraj are the opposite two theatres that ceased enterprise.

“If pandemic is one of the key reasons, too many taxes and lack of relief from the government though the theatres were in dire straits with no business for over a year are driving many single screens to permanently stop operations. The single screen cinemas may become -nonexistent in the next few years if the government doesn’t come to their rescue,” says M.R. Rajaram, Vice-President, Karnataka Film Exhibitors’ Federation.

He instructed The Puucho that the long run for single screens within the State, in contrast to these in neighbouring States, may be very miserable. “The pandemic and the zero relief to theatres unlike other sectors has sounded the death knell to the show business.”

More could go

In Mysuru, a couple of extra single screen theatres are planning to shut down. “One of them is planning for an outright sale of the theatre, unable to tolerate the crisis,” Mr. Rajaram mentioned.

From 21, the theatres’ numbers have dropped to 10 in Mysuru. More than seven have been shut down in Mysuru lately. In the State, the theatre’s quantity stands at 538 from 600-plus until a couple of years in the past. “I think about 35 to 40 theatres may not be keen to reopen even if the current curbs are lifted and theatres are allowed to operate in the coming months because of uncertainty in the business,” Mr. Rajaram argued.

Mr .Rajaram, who can also be the Secretary of Mysuru Film Exhibitors’ Association, mentioned not one of the exhibitors’ representations to the federal government had been thought-about. “When the governments in neighbouring States can give relief in taxes, including property tax, to theatres owing to COVID-19, why not our government,” he requested.

The exhibitors usually are not searching for loans or monetary support however waiver of taxes.

In Mysuru, exhibitors are requested to renew their commerce licence yearly although it’s normally renewed as soon as each 5 years. “Our concerns have not been addressed since many years though we are one of the highest tax payers. The authorities have turned blind to our problems,” he mentioned.

Jayant of Lakshmi Theatre mentioned the most effective days for single screens are over and the youthful era isn’t eager to run the enterprise with myriad issues affecting the enterprise.

“The audience is not the same now. Amidst the fears of a third wave, there appears to be no early revival for the business. And we cannot keep maintaining the property with zero income. We don’t know the future of the cinema business with the rise of OTT platforms,” he opined.

Unless there are massive releases with massive star forged, the theatres could not prosper like earlier than. Amidst the unhealthy competitors, the smaller gamers battle to alter the traits and counter challenges. “Therefore, we decided to close business,” mentioned Mr .Jayant, explaining the present enterprise’s predicaments