Post-drought,multiplexes limp back to normalcy

Following weeks of empty theatres and lack of big-name releases,multiplexes across the city are taking their first baby steps towards resuming normal service.

Following weeks of empty theatres and lack of big-name releases,multiplexes across the city are taking their first baby steps towards resuming normal service. A typically hot afternoon at PVR Saket finally saw glimpses of the clamour for tickets that Fridays are usually associated with.

Occasionally there were queues at the ticket counter; the snack bar too seemed to be limping back to the business of handing out cola and popcorn. In sporting analogy,this was something akin to a warm-up match.

While no Bollywood biggies were scheduled for release this week,Tushar Dulam,a 20-year-old fashion designing student,came anyway after missing Bollywood for the last two to three months. Im a regular filmgoer,catching one film at least every fortnight.

Puneet Joshi,an MBA student,had come with friends to celebrate,with his exams just getting over. Luckily,I was busy during the stalemate. Im happy big films are slated for release while my vacation is on.

The lukewarm response this week is partly because of the big films in store for the coming weeks. New York releases on June 26,while Kambakkht Ishq hits the screens on July 3. Distributor Sanjay Mehta says: The real action starts from next week.

Are there fears that regular moviegoers may have learnt to live without Bollywood?

For about three to four weeks after 26/11,people were avoiding cinemas because of the terror threat. Then Ghajini and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi came along and set the cash registers ringing, says Mehta. This is a transition period. Wait for a few weeks and youll see Bollywood returning with a vengeance.

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