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Writer's pictureADITYA ITORIYA

Will an influx of movie releases in last quarter of 2021 help revive Bollywood box office?

A number movies are releasing in the last quarter of 2021, after Maharashtra CM announced opening of theatres in October. Experts opine if it will revive the box office.



When the government had first announced a nationwide lockdown back in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no one had anticipated the kind of repercussion it would have on the nation at large and the livelihood of millions of its citizens. One of the hardest hit industries during this period was the movie sector.

When Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, on September 26, Saturday announced that cinema halls in the state will reopen after October 22, there was a huge sigh of relief from all sectors. While the Maharashtra CM's office made the announcement via a tweet, adding that the opening will happen in compliance with health norms and work is underway to prepare a detailed SOP in this regard; filmmakers were quick to start announcing release dates for some long-stalled projects.

For a multi-billion worth industry that was completely shut for 18 months, the news was huge, with the makers of Sooryavanshi being the first to announce their release date. But, with an influx of movie releases in the last quarter of 2021, will it help revive Bollywood box office?


According to casting director Kunal Shah, the release of these big budget films is "fantastic for Bollywood." He elaborates, "The situation was extremely dire for the industry the last 18 months. With big films being announced it is a win-win situation for producers and distributors right now."

He further adds, "It can be called a revival of sorts of the film industry. Yes, there was OTT and that meant that there was work, but there was no energy like the one in bug budget movie screenings in theatres. Things are looking upbeat now and everyone is excited."

According to producer and film trade analyst Girish Johar, the last 18 months saw everything being shut, so the advent of all these big-budget films could mean a revival for the industry


Will movies releasing in 2021 help revive Bolly BO?

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, on September 26, Saturday announced that cinema halls in the state will reopen after October 22

  • Sooryavanshi was one of the first films to announce a release date

  • Experts opine if big budget releases will help revive the industry


When the government had first announced a nationwide lockdown back in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no one had anticipated the kind of repercussion it would have on the nation at large and the livelihood of millions of its citizens. One of the hardest hit industries during this period was the movie sector.

When Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, on September 26, Saturday announced that cinema halls in the state will reopen after October 22, there was a huge sigh of relief from all sectors. While the Maharashtra CM's office made the announcement via a tweet, adding that the opening will happen in compliance with health norms and work is underway to prepare a detailed SOP in this regard; filmmakers were quick to start announcing release dates for some long-stalled projects.

For a multi-billion worth industry that was completely shut for 18 months, the news was huge, with the makers of Sooryavanshi being the first to announce their release date. But, with an influx of movie releases in the last quarter of 2021, will it help revive Bollywood box office?


According to casting director Kunal Shah, the release of these big budget films is "fantastic for Bollywood." He elaborates, "The situation was extremely dire for the industry the last 18 months. With big films being announced it is a win-win situation for producers and distributors right now."

He further adds, "It can be called a revival of sorts of the film industry. Yes, there was OTT and that meant that there was work, but there was no energy like the one in bug budget movie screenings in theatres. Things are looking upbeat now and everyone is excited."

According to producer and film trade analyst Girish Johar, the last 18 months saw everything being shut, so the advent of all these big-budget films could mean a revival for the industry.


"India wants to watch films on a big screen," he says, adding, "Around Rs 1200 to Rs 1400 crore money is riding on films in next few months and I really hope that the industry does Rs 2500 crore in business this financial quarter."

Film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh agrees, saying that it is a step taken in the right direction. According to him, the entire industry from the actors to producers and technicians were waiting for cinemas in Maharashtra to reopen. He says, “It is a definitely a revival. Since theatres were shut everything came to standstill. The move means that not only will people come to theatres, but it is generating employment as well, which definitely means an upswing for the industry.”

Industry expert Akshaye Rathi says while in the first couple of months, it is a test towards revival, but after that it will be business as normal.

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