Single screens seek govt nod to turn 'commercial zones'

With depleting footfalls at theatres, 300-odd exhibitors are urging Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to permit them to partially convert their theatres into ‘commercial zones’. “We are suffering a lot of losses due to poor turnout in theatres and requesting the state government to bail us out,” says an exhibitor, who claims that hundreds of single theatres in Telangana state are going through tough times. “We are not even getting 10 viewers per show in each theatre and we are forced to cancel two shows a day these days and making our life difficult and painful,” he adds.

Instead of just depending on film content, hundreds of exhibitors have resolved to make alterations to their theatres and make them commercially viable. They have requested Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to give them permission to make alterations to theatres and make them commercially viable. "We are hoping that CM Revanth Reddy would consider our long-pending request and allow changes to enable us to run theatres instead of shutting down due to lack of patrons,” he adds.

Confirming the same, Vijayender Reddy, president of Telangana Controllers and Exhibitors Association, says, “It is true that we have requested the government and awaiting positive response,” he says and adds, “We intend to reduce our 1200 seating capacity to 400 and make alterations to allow us to build a small shopping complex around it. We could let out a food court or clothing showroom or even mobile shop in the remaining space to run our theatres,” he informs.

He believes that the state government would realize the theater's business is going downhill due to overhead costs shooting up and lack of audience. “We used to depend on viewers for our survival but now we have to make alternative plans. If our theatres are given permission to turn into commercial zones, we could survive a bit and hundreds of exhibitors are willing to make alterations to remain in the business," he points out.

He claims that each theatre owner has to dole out Rs 2 to 3 crore to these changes but they are prepared for it. "It is a costly affair but we are fighting for survival and many exhibitors could join the conversion bandwagon. We also hope that the government would reduce our power charges which are exorbitant now," concludes Reddy.