On March 10, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan requested all cinema halls in the state to remain shut till the end of the month, in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. As the situation worsened, the cinema halls haven’t re-opened till date and the uncertainty continues. Entertainment was on a lower priority during the initial days as the world was dealing with a life or death situation, and hence the cinema halls remaining shut wasn’t a big deal. But as over 100 days have passed without the theatrical experience, most of them have started to feel the void it has created. There are also heated discussions about a paradigm shift in the cinema viewing experience and hence, we caught up with a few people - PR Arun, a filmmaker, Suresh Shenoy, a theatre owner, Haridas P, a projection operator and Hari Krishna Prasad, a regular movie viewer, to know if they have got adjusted to the new norm and how these 100 days have gone by. In an exclusive interview with ETimes, this bunch of movie lovers shares their thoughts on how the viewing pattern has changed post-lockdown and whether they miss ‘The’ theatrical experience.
PR Arun - Filmmaker and theatre artist
'; var randomNumber = Math.random(); var isIndia = (window.geoinfo && window.geoinfo.CountryCode === 'IN') && (window.location.href.indexOf('outsideindia') === -1 ); //console.log(isIndia && randomNumber < 0.9 ); if(isIndia){ // code for showing ctn ad $('#fluid-container').remove(); return; } $('.top2brdiv').remove(); $('#fluid-container').append(adContainer); })() Prior to the lockdown, I used to watch at least three movies a week in cinema halls, no matter what the language was. I am a huge ‘theatre (cinema hall) addict’! This is the first time in my life, I am refraining from the experience for such a long period. I prefer watching movies during the initial days of the release. Also, being part of the entertainment industry, most of the movies would be from people whom I know and I am friends with. I miss going to the cinema halls. Watching a movie along with a crowd in the darkroom in the cinema halls can never be replaced. The theatre viewing experience is always special.
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Post-lockdown, like any other audience, I watch movies on television. I am watching movies and web series on various platforms. But while watching at home, we always have the option to pause the movie at any point. However, this will affect the real experience, which we used to get from the cinema halls.
As far as ‘The’theatrical experience goes, nothing could replace the experience of watching a movie in a cinema hall, with a crowd and enjoying an emotion together. Most of the time, I go with my family or friends. And I really miss the discussions we have post-screening. And I feel, people will return back to the cinemas, more eagerly, once it re-opens.
Movies that I am impatiently waiting to watch in the cinemas would be, firstly, the first world release, after the pandemic, ‘Tenet’ by Christopher Nolan! Also, I became a fan of ‘Sudani from Nigeria’ so I am eagerly waiting for Zakariya Mohammed’s ‘Halal Love Story’. ‘Marakkar Arabikkadalinte Simham’ by Priyadarshan is expected to be an extravagant experience, so I would love to experience it on a big screen. And Rajeev Ravi’s ‘Thuramukham’! All the upcoming movies in fact!
Suresh Shenoy - Owner of Padma theatre, Kochi
The entire industry has come to a standstill. There is no income. So it’s a crucial time for us. I used to visit the cinema hall every day, and it's hard to see the hall deserted. Even during the lockdown, we have to open it for cleaning purposes, the maintenance works are going on, so that we are equipped to safely welcome the audience, once it re-opens. Prior to lockdown, the projector would be working for about 12-13 hours a day, and suddenly shutting it down for such a long period would affect its working. So, we have to switch on the projector every day for about one or two hours. We still have to meet the expenses, whereas the income is zero.
We could only re-open if the current scenario improves because we are the least important factors. But I am confident that once we re-open people will come back. Because you can never match the theatre watching experience with television or any other device. My family and I have enjoyed watching movies in the cinemas. It’s always a wholesome experience. I hope the theatre opens at least before Onam.
Haridas P - Projection operator at Padma theatre since 1986
I have been working with the group for the past 34 years. I have witnessed the evolution of cinema, how it turned from the film to digital. All these years, my duty time would be from the first show to the last screening. Let’s say our team will be in the cabin for about 12 hours a day, including the intervals we take in between. Before the shutdown, things were all good. It’s quite interesting to see a new cinema being screened, people gathering, their happiness. It was similar to a carnival! The moments of laughter and claps are truly special. Being a part of a team, that helps in creating that experience to the audience is priceless. If the audience loves the movie and it’s a houseful show, we lose the track of time and don’t even feel like we are working. Also, watching a movie in the cinema halls is unique.
In the entertainment industry, one of the most affected by the crisis would be the cinema halls and the people working under their wings. Post-lockdown also, I have to go to the cinema halls, once in a while, to ensure that the equipment is in good condition. We have to switch on the projector for a while, or else it would affect its efficiency. Theatre owners still have to pay us, even though they don’t have income. But we are happy that we are getting paid even during the crisis. I hope everything returns to normal.
Hari Krishna Prasad - A regular moviegoer and a post-graduate in filmmaking
I always try to watch the movie during the initial days of its release at the cinemas. The theatre experience is definitely important for me because I am a person who is very passionate about cinema. A lot of my friends prefer the same. The surround sound in the cinemas creates a whole new world inside the darkroom. The audience gets drawn into the space of the movie.
After the shutdown of cinema halls, I have been watching movies on my projection system at home. It’s a 120 -inch projection system. Yes, it is huge compared to the television, but again I don’t feel it could ever recreate the theatrical experience. As an audience, I believe, the movie becomes a magical experience only when you watch it in the cinema halls. There is always a chance to switch to something else or pause or take ‘n’ number of intervals while watching a movie on television and it would ruin the experience of the movie for sure. Also, while watching a movie in a theatre, along with a mass, you will get to know their response, and most importantly, all of them will be sharing an emotion. I miss going to the cinema halls with family and friends. I am eagerly waiting for the cinema halls to re-open!
