Reasons kitne bhi valid kyun na ho, the fact is we've lost out on two solid months. The spending capacity is optimum during the summer break [April, May]. The common man is in a mood to splurge -- on movies, on clothes, on travel, on restaurants, on general entertainment.
This year, post elections, with a stable government at the centre, the mood is very upbeat, very optimistic. But the mood within the industry is negative, outright negative.
No one expected the face off to last for two solid months. Everyone was of the opinion that the issue would get resolved in a couple of weeks. Everyone's getting restless now. The producer is restless since his films are blocked. The distributor is restless for the same reason. The exhibitor is restless since he has nothing worthwhile to play. The common man is restless since he's bored, terribly bored by this no-show.
Seriously, yeh strike kab khatm hogi?
The bitter truth is, all's not well within the industry. Even if a settlement does take place, you can't turn a blind eye to the fact that we've lost out on two solid months of business. The schools and colleges re-open in mid-June. Besides, the World Cup [cricket matches] begins this week.
Moreover, the holy month of Ramzan [a sizable section of movie-going audience abstains from watching movies during the month] will begin from 21st August and will continue for an entire month, till September. It has been noticed that film business hits rock-bottom during this month, not just in India, but also in the international markets.
Let's face it. We have very limited weeks to score till August. Things should sparkle from Idd and Diwali onwards, but till then it's going to be a tough phase for the film industry.
Makers of big-budget films aren't worried. But makers of low-cost and medium-budget films are getting sleepless nights. Will they stand a chance once the flow of films begins? Your guess is as good as mine.
