A struggle for survival: Challenging times persist for Telugu movie theaters

Collective disappointments have cast a dark cloud over the prospects of theater owners, who are finding it increasingly challenging to meet their rent obligations

By Bhavana  Published on  25 Sep 2023 5:34 AM GMT
A struggle for survival: Challenging times persist for Telugu movie theaters

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Hyderabad: The theaters in the Telugu states find themselves in the midst of a relentless battle to keep their doors open. The struggle is not just about surviving the ongoing pandemic; it's also about covering essential expenses like rent. The recent wave of movie postponements dealt a severe blow, leaving the theaters with a barren weekend devoid of notable Telugu releases. Instead, the lone cinematic offering was a Tamil dubbed film, "Mark Antony," which hit screens on September 15th.

Adding to the woes, even Vishal's latest film failed to make a significant impact in the Telugu states. Previous releases haven't fared much better. These collective disappointments have cast a dark cloud over the prospects of theater owners, who are finding it increasingly challenging to meet their rent obligations. Unfortunately, this grim situation is set to persist for yet another week, with no noteworthy releases scheduled for the upcoming weekend.

In this rather bleak scenario, the lone ray of hope for theater owners comes in the form of `Saptha Sagaralu Daatiā€™, a Kannada dubbed film. While the film received favorable reviews in its original Kannada version, it's worth noting that its appeal may be confined to a specific audience. The multiplex crowds might embrace the film if it resonates with its intended demographic and garners positive word-of-mouth. The film is slated for release on September 22nd, providing a glimmer of optimism.

Additionally, `7G Brindavan Colonyā€™ is set to return to theaters on September 22nd, offering a classic option for cinema enthusiasts. However, the scarcity of Telugu releases this weekend remains a concerning trend.

Looking ahead, the next weekend holds some promise with three filmsā€” `Skandaā€™, `Chandramukhi 2ā€™, and `Peddha Kapu -1ā€™ā€”scheduled for release. It's a missed opportunity that one of these films couldn't have filled the current weekend void, potentially assisting theaters in their quest to generate revenue during these trying times.

As the saga of uncertainty continues for Telugu theaters, their resilience remains a testament to the enduring love for cinema and the indomitable spirit of those who keep the silver screen dreams alive.

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