Theaters Opening: Who Has The Guts?

Several Telugu films were released on various OTT platforms in lockdown. Top streaming portals spent huge amounts to acquire small to medium range films to utilize the golden opportunity to increase their subscribers’ base. Nani, Sudheer Babu’s V, Anushka-Madhavan’s Nishabdham and Raj Tarun’s Orey Bujjiga were the medium range films released on OTT platforms.

Almost all the films which went OTT way couldn’t impress audience. Recent releases Nishabdham and Orey Bujjiga too disappointed big time. Trade analysts opine that producers of these films did right thing by choosing OTT way or else they would have faced huge losses, had they waited for Theaters to re-open.

Finally, Theaters are reopening from 15th of this month with 50 % seating capacity. But, the question is which star or filmmaker will dare to release their films now. Several filmmakers expressed their opinion that it’s already too late and better government should give permission for reopening of Theaters.

There were several other films which were planned for summer release in 2021. Makers of these films opposed the idea of direct to digital release. They actually waited for Theaters to reopen. Even though, Theaters will start functioning in less than two weeks, nobody is daring to release their film on 15th. Only, Ram Gopal Varma announced to release Coronavirus on October 15th.

Apparently, they are worried whether audience will dare to come to Theaters and they are also in dilemma whether they can recover investments with 50% seat occupancy.

It seems they are waiting for someone to take the risk and if it works out, then they may come up with an announcement on release date. Until then, they will follow wait and see policy!