Komal Nahta

Exhibitors across the country are in panic. With no new films lined up for release and the current releases not doing well, they do not know what tomorrow has in store for them.

Distributors and exhibitors are governed by the laws of demand and supply. When there is a flood of releases, exhibitors often act pricey. But when the flow of films is slow, the distributors are in a commanding position.

The exhibitors have never had it so bad. After Kasoor, which was released last Friday, there is no major release in the next three, four weeks.

The Shah Rukh Khan starrer One Two Ka Four is slated to hit screens on March 2, but one does not know whether it will release that day. The doubts arise because several circuits are yet to be sold -- its producers have yet to find distributors for some territories.

Indra Kumar's Aashiq, released two weeks ago, is such a damp squib that it would not have managed more than a three/four week run anywhere.

With no major release scheduled in coming weeks, Aashiq could just pull through for a couple of weeks more, but that hardly provides solace to either its distributors or exhibitors.

Several state governments permit cinemas to levy a tax-free service charge up to Rs 2 on every ticket. Tax-free, because no entertainment tax is payable up to this amount.

Obviously, every cinemawallah would like to see his theatre full every single show of the week because the quantum of service charge depends on the number of tickets sold. So, to extend the run of lesser films in cinemas with poor attendance is not exciting at all!

Meanwhile, Farz is doing well in smaller centres where action flicks are lapped up. On the other hand, Kasoor, which opened quite well in the cities, is at best city fare and cannot set the cash registers ringing in smaller towns.

Cinemas have had a terrible time since early 2000. And the crisis worsens with every passing week.

If the situation does not improve in the coming months -- if some good films are not released, that is -- 2001 may witness a disastrous consequence: Cinemas across the nation may find it more profitable to remain shut for weeks, even months, than screen films with meagre appeal.

Alternatively, we may witness the weekend cinema phenomenon in India. Theatres may screen movies on Saturdays and Sundays and prefer to play nothing on weekdays.

Collections of films like Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi have shown encouraging trends only on weekends. Weekdays have been kuch bad kuch sad!

Design: Lynette Menezes