Mumbai: For movie buffs, the news of cinema halls to open again October 15 onwards is certainly exciting news. Nothing can beat the thrill and excitement of watching movies on the big screen. However, many of these movie buffs are still sceptical about venturing out. This is because the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage on in India.
Last week, the Centre gave its nod to reopen cinemas from October 15 with stringent dos and don’ts. However, not all state governments will follow this immediately. The pandemic scenario in their respective regions has not decreased.
SOPs for movie halls
Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar had announced the standard operating procedures (SOPs) that cinema halls must adhere to. Among them were one seat distance in theatres, 50 per cent capacity and wearing of masks all the time. In addition hall owners have been asked to maintain proper ventilation and air conditioner temperature settings not above 23 degree Celsius.
The decision has been welcomed by theatre owners and exhibitors who are all charged up to be back in the business. They had to face a lull period of seven months.
But people are divided about watching the film on the 70 mm screen.
Eager to visit halls
Khushboo Shah is a homemaker from Indore. She said she and her family have been eagerly waiting to watch a movie in a theatre. With proper hygiene and safety protocols in place, they are planning for a day-out.
“We terribly miss going to theatres. It has been more than seven months we haven’t seen any movie. The last film we saw was‘Baaghi 3. However, we couldn’t watch Angrezi Medium,” she said.
“There is a joy in watching a movie on the big screen, having popcorn, samosa and enjoying the time with your family. It is all about enjoying the moment, getting lost in that world. We will definitely go to watch a film after a week or 15 days. We hope to not think about coronavirus for those two hours,” Shah added. Shah is hoping for Akshay Kumar-starrer Sooryavanshi to release soon.
OTT platforms cannot fill void
Given the safety guidelines, Sidharth Sharma said he is looking forward to experience a big-scale spectacle in a movie hall. The Delhi-based professional said he had OTT platforms to keep him entertained. However, filling the void left by theatres is too big a task for the streaming services.
“I am truly interested in watching a big-scale action movie simply because of the experience — VFX, action pieces. Like Tenet, it’s something which I was eagerly looking forward to watch. A Christopher Nolan film has to be consumed on the big screen. There’s no other way,” Sharma asserted.
‘Unsure’ about hall visits
Photographer Yashank Chopra however, is ‘unsure’ about the level of safety measures in cinema halls. He he is no hurry to head out anytime soon.
“I won’t go out for a movie yet. First, I’m sceptical about the preventive measures being taken and followed in theatres. And, secondly, watching a movie is way down on my priority list,” asserted Chopra.
Not worth ‘risking life’
Evan Joseph, a student from Bangalore, also said that risking her life to watch a film in a cinema hall isn’t worth it.
“There are guidelines, safety precaution promises. However, there is still a high risk of being in close proximity to people. In case I really want to watch a film on the big screen, I’d go for an action thriller or a romantic comedy. May be I will go to a movie like 83 or Black Widow. But then again, I don’t think I would risk going to a cinema hall at this point,” Joseph stated.
OTT platforms preferred
Hyderabad-based budding filmmaker Raj Jaiswal too is not keen on venturing out to watch a movie during the COVID-19 era.
“It is still unsafe to go out, given there will be a lot of people around. The cases are shooting up every day the numbers should have come down. I prefer watching films on OTT. For me it is about watching great content. There is so much interesting stuff to watch here,” Jaiswal said.
Chartered accountant Ruchita Shah said during lockdown, she had subscribed to almost all leading OTT platforms. “I am happy watching what I want on OTT in my safe and comfort zone,” Shah said.
‘Tenet’ on everyone’s mind
As a cinephile, watching Christopher Nolan’s espionage thriller Tenet in a theatre is a no-brainer for Varun Bansal. He said he is willing to take the risk to watch Tenet on the big screen. But the logistics professional said he will draw the line and wait for other titles to arrive on OTT platforms.
“I’m looking forward to the day when Tenet is theatrically released in India. I would rather wait for other movies to be available on streaming platforms,” Bansal stated.
Not satisfied with safety precautions
Mumbai-based radio jockey Saif Ali Momin he is tempted to watch films on celluloid and ‘might possibly do so’ when theatres open up. However, he is quick to point out that it won’t be a ‘hassle-free’ situation.
“I want to watch films in cinema halls but I am not completely satisfied with the safety precautions. I don’t understand alternate seating and how that’s really going to help,” Momin stated.
For starters, Momin said, he would first try going to watch a film alone to check how safety measures are being followed. Then only he will plan to take his family along. “I am interested but also worried. I’ll first experience it myself before going with my family,” he said.