Mumbai terrorist attacks hurt box office

Perhaps not surprisingly, people getting shot and killed at the doorstep of cinemas (Metro BIG, to be precise) has had a dampening affect. I went and saw two films this past weekend, one older Bollywood release and one newer Hollywood, and both were playing in prime multiplexes to only about 20 per cent audiences. Not good.

These observations are backed up by the newspapers that surveys several cinema operators about people's refusals to go out for some out-of-home escapism. From the Times of India (Film theatres await fans' return):

A disappointed Manoj Desai, of G-7 multiplex, Bandra, said, "Nobody is going to cinema halls. The business is so bad that it is going to be difficult for businesses to recover the cost of air-conditioning a cinema hall. People are scared and don't want to venture out.''

The four films released on Friday were `Meerabai Not Out', `Maharathi', `O My God' and `Dil Kabbadi'. The paid previews and premieres for the releases were cancelled.

As they were medium-budget films, the real impact to the industry will be gauged only later this month, when bigger-budget films starring Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan are slated for release.

A vice-president of Cinemax Cinemas said, "We expect a weak period after 26/11.'' He hopefully added that business was also usually slow before a "King Khan coming''. "People are waiting for a major banner to go for a movie,'' he said.

So all eyes (and hopes) are pinned to YRF's big release this Friday Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, followed by Studio 18's and Warner Bros. India's Chandni Chowk to China, two and four weeks later respectively (not to mention big Hollywood releases like STAR-Fox's The Day The Earth Stood Still).

It is not just cinemas but restaurants that are also suffering, with another article informing us that 'Post-terror, eateries lose 35% business', again not surprising given what happened at Leopold Cafe. I didn't go to any five star hotel this week, but I'm sure that they were emptier for Sunday brunches than usual. Not that we are all afraid of terrorists striking at any moment, but there's just not the mood.

At least I did my bit for the cinemas this weekend, but more is needed. Let's make it the patriotic duty of all Indians to go to the cinema this coming weekend. I will be leading from the front - of the line at the box office.

(Photo credit: Maciej Dakowicz)