EXCLUSIVE: “We have to wait and watch when the theatres open worldwide before we release big films” – Arjun Kapoor

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By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

April 18, 2020 - 11:00 AM IST

Owing to the Coronavirus pandemic, the film and television shoots were suspended around mid-March. In the second week of March, several states began shutting down the theatres and malls. The release date of several movies have been pushed and the makers are currently uncertain as to when the condition will go back to normal and theatres will start operating. In an exclusive conversation with Bollywood Hungama, Arjun Kapoor spoke about the impact of coronavirus on theatres and the film industry.

EXCLUSIVE: “We have to wait and watch when the theatres open worldwide before we release big films” – Arjun Kapoor

Before the film shoot was suspended, Arjun Kapoor had around 7-8 days of shoot left for his upcoming film with Rakul Preet Singh. The actor was also awaiting the release of his film Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar. Talking about the impact of the pandemic on the industry, Arjun Kapoor said, “It's a tricky situation. We have to look overseas to get slight hints. If you see, Wonder Woman is tentatively planned for release on August 15, which is a sign of saying that big studios abroad believe that they will be able to start releasing films across the world because they rely on the world population for their business. Hindi films also rely on the world population. I don't think Sooryavanshi would release without having America, Dubai and Australia available for release. So we have to wait and watch when the theatres open worldwide before we release big films. I spoke to Karan (Johar) sir, Adi (Aditya Chopra) sir, with all of them the belief is that everybody has to be patient and wait and watch because even to go to work, a system will have to be formed. The films that were bound to release will get first preference. The film that needs VFX done will get first preference. The films that need to reconstruct their sets will have a preference. I think it will be difficult for new films to start just like that. The actor, technicians will have to complete a lot of stuff that has to be done. So a new system needs to come in place. Like if you were supposed to start work in June, July then it will get pushed to August as it will take time to align.”

He said that a large part also depends on people willing to come to the theatre and believes that a system needs to be set there. “We will have to wait for the mindset of the people to change and wait for them to come to the theatre. Coming to a theatre will be the last thing on people's mind, first they will take care of their family. So, again a system will have to come in place. Maybe first release a few older films. There might be a system required here one show gets over and people leave and the next show starts. So, the number of shows might get reduced,” Arjun said.

“In the pyramid of essentials where does going to a theatre even fit in? People are not thinking of going to a mall or theatre anytime soon. We will have to see the mindset of people to know what kind of relief we can bring in. It is going to affect production also. Eventually, if the price of tickets go down, then it will change the cost of making,” he added.