Theatre owners want more shows to keep cash registers ringing

CHENNAI: While Kollywood has been churning out about 100 films a year, theatre owners have been working from another end to keep the cash register ringing. They now want to screen more shows every day, over the permitted limit of four shows. Theatres are permitted to remain open for 14 hours (with 1.30 am as the cut-off), screening four shows, with an additional one on weekdays and government holidays.
However, theatre owners are confident that a fifth show can be accommodated on weekdays as well, and would like to screen the first show at 8am."In July, 18 films are expected to release, but there are not enough small theatres to accommodate shifting' of films. Movies which have a chance of collecting more will lose out" said R Panneerselvam, secretary, Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association (TNOA). In the past, films were released in big centres, and after an initial collection, would shift to smaller pockets along the district. However, with centres increasing prints from five in the past to 35 in recent times, the shifting' culture has faded away.
"Having more shows has always been a proven business model in moffusil areas," said film historian Film News' Anandhan. "People have a culture of queuing up at theatres as soon a print is ready.Theatres are capable of running another show with a turn-around time of half an hour."
Abirami' Ramanathan, president, Chennai Theatre Owners Association (CTOA) said it was a welcome proposal. "It will fetch additional revenue to the government, but we need to study if customers would prefer an 8 am show or a 3 am show. If the latter timing is found to be more convenient, operating charges of theaters will go up, since cleaning staff may demand double bata," he felt. "However, the government has to grant necessary permission for the 3 am show," he added.
Information minister Parithi Ilamvazhuthi said, "We have constituted a state level committee to look into various issues of the film industry. If the committee finds the proposal viable, and recommends it, the government will consider it."