Look, what a bountiful weekend we missed out. Thursday was a part holiday [elections in several parts of the country]. Friday [1st May, Maharashtra Day] was a holiday too. Saturday and Sunday were, well, holidays again. Imagine the kind of business we are losing out week after week. That too during the peak of summer vacations.
Let's hope that the strike is called off ASAP and people return to the theatres. We haven't watched a film for more than a month now and for hardcore filmis, this has been the toughest phase. Even film-related ads in newspapers are missing, so is the filmi talk, what with most filmis going out of town, taking a forced holiday.
It may be a while before we start visiting theatres again, once the strike is called off. The theatre-going habit has taken a backseat and only a big-budget film or a film with a solid word of mouth can do the trick.
UNITED WE STAND
Hats off to the production sector for coming under one umbrella. For fighting for their rights with one voice. Every leader, every producer deserves a salute. Such solidarity is rare. It was next to impossible to envisage till some months ago. But it's a reality today. Let's hope we stay united in times to come. A united force can tackle the biggest of storms and it has been proved yet again.
The next step should be piracy. All sectors of the industry [producers, distributors, exhibitors, actors, technicians] should unite and wage a war against pirates and piracy. It's become a monster. This monster needs to be wiped off before it gobbles us completely.
Also, a public awareness campaign should be started pronto, utilizing the services of our stars and known celebrities. It's time to wage a 'war' against the pirates. Believe me, we would succeed.
