Cinemas Reopen Slowly - Baaghi 3 First Hindi Film To Collect
Tuesday 09 June 2020 14.30 ISTBox Office India Trade Network
There was a cautious opening of cinemas in a couple of countries last week where Hindi films are screened. There have been markets like South Korea and Norway which have have had some cinemas open through the lock down but there were no Hindi films being screened in these places.
Last week saw cinemas opening in Australia and UAE and while Australia did not screen any Hindi films there was a Hindi release in UAE. Baaghi 3 became the first Hindi film to see any collections from anywhere after almost 3 months. The film collected around $2000 from 15 screens in one week which is not much but at least a Hindi film has been shown in cinemas since mid March. Before the lock down there were other Hindi films like Angrezi Medium and Thappad being screened in UAE but these did not return as they were huge FLOPS.
There were two other Indian films to see a return also with Chal Mera Putt 2 which collected $1000 from one cinema and Tamil film Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal which collected $125 from 2 cinemas. The response in UAE was lacklustre but nothing can be judged yet due to lack of new content. The top films were Hollywood films like The Invisible Man and The Gentleman but the real level as far as cinema in UAE is concerend will be known when there are new films.
Another country Germany where Hindi films are screened saw a few cinemas open up (not including drive ins which were open in lockdown) but again its very cautious as exhibitors also know there is not much content to screen. The wait is now for Tenet and Mulan from Hollywood in July, these films are scheduled for 17th and 24th July release respectively but it is not certain yet. There are many states in USA which are allowing cinemas to open but they are not opening as there are no films to screen but New York and California have not been given the go ahead to open cinemas. These states are crucial as if cinemas in these states are not open then its unlikely that Tenet and Mulan will release on the schedule dates. The wait for these two films is across the world as only then it can be gauged where cinema stands in territories which are open for business.
The opening of cinemas in India could also start in the July / August period and it will be Tenet and Mulan which will test the waters in India and local industries will be waiting to see the response.
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