Pune: Theatre owners concerned over mounting losses, employees worry about their jobs

Pune: Theatre owners concerned over mounting losses, employees worry about their jobs

Pune: Internet has brought cinema to our home.. while and the lockdown has shut down multiplexes and single-screen theatres. Even if they reopen, will people come out and watch movies in theatres as they did before? Will they spend lavishly? How to break this deadlock and how to manage expenses? Theatre owners and their employees have these questions in their mind with no clear answer.

Dilip Nikam, owner of Vijay Theatre said, "We have no revenue for the last three months. The UFO company has cancelled all agreements related to the advertisements. But we have to maintain cleanliness in and out of the theatre. These employees have to be paid salaries and there are other minor expenses too. We have managed somehow so far, but now for their survival theatres need to reopen."

"We are worried about whether people will come to theatres even if they are reopened. If we plan any show, we will have to alter the seating arrangements and give entry to only half the total capacity of viewers. The expenses will mount as usual, but we will earn less as compared to it. We will have to increase the ticket rates and the government should also give us some concessions," Nikam said.

Sharing similar concerns owners of other theatres also expressed their concerns. 

Dilip Kudale, owner of a Vilux Talkies in Khadki said, "On the side, there is no income, but on the other side electricity bill has been issued on an average consumption basis, property tax is also being levied and we have to pay salaries of employees too. The government needs to waive off electricity bill of the three months and also give concessions in property tax for the theatre business to survive."

Theatre and multiplex employees also shared their concerns on the condition of anonymity. They are worried about the education expenses of their children, monthly instalments of loan repayment and future instability over their jobs.

"We show the glamorous world on the silver screen to the public but our dreams are now shattered due to the lockdown. We don't know if we would be able to fulfil dreams of our children."
- Machine Operator, Khadki

"Based on Goa and Gujarat governments decision to charge Rs 20 per ticket as an additional service charge, the Maharashtra state government too had decided in September 2019 to levy such charge. This decision was not implemented then, but now we should be allowed to collect it."
- Deepak Kudale, Former President, Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association of India

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